Comment by throwaway5752

Start doing the work. Buy books and read them, watch conference talks, start hacking at home. Realize you have to start from close to the bottom and work your way up, and start applying to internships or entry level positions. Learn on the job and devote yourself heavily to career development to catch up.

If this doesn't sound appealing, then changing careers probably isn't for you and you will probably have challenges succeeding at it.

To your questions

> How did you pinpoint new directions that matched your skills and interests?

I found my pivot while working in my prior role, and worked actively to change paths at that company. I'd say if the overlap is close enough, try to get on-the-job tastes of the new direction. If not, see if volunteer or charity opportunities are available. Sometimes the reality of a change doesn't match up to expectations.

> What were the most effective ways to reposition your experience in a new field?

Some experience in the field will let you know what is valued and how to parse a resume. You should seek out someone in that field to be a mentor through this process. It is probably better to ask them this question.

> Are there any resources or strategies you’d recommend for upskilling or building networks?

It is not a great sign for you that you are asking this here. This is a hard process. You should look in your own personal network for contacts you can ask about the new field. Failing that, you should look for local professional organizations, meetups, conferences, or colleges with relevant departments and reach out to them. They will have the best advice. In terms of upskilling, there is no substitue for on-the-job training in any field. You just need to understand if there are any credentials, qualifications, or certifications you need in order to get your foot in the door.