At 50, I Became a Rookie Again

The author reflects on her extensive career in technology, highlighting the challenges faced as a woman in STEM. After years of success, she decides to embrace a new opportunity, which leads to a profound identity shift as she returns to being a beginner in a new environment. This transition brings both excitement and discomfort, as she navigates generational differences and the slower pace of adapting to a new ecosystem. The experience forces her to confront the loss of her established authority and the frustration of not being able to execute at her previous speed, ultimately leading to a richer exchange of knowledge between her and younger colleagues.