“I wanted the chance to learn and explore other countries, cultures and technologies.”

What work were you doing previously?    

I worked as a Technical and Commercial Manager for a manufacturing company in Brazil. 

What are you doing now?    

I now work at a stainless-steel mill as an Intercompany Sales Manager.

Why did you change?

I've always been drawn to travel, wine, and learning about new cultures.

I wanted the opportunity to explore different countries, markets, and technologies while growing, both personally and professionally.

That's what motivated me most, so I set myself the goal of gaining international experience.

When was the moment you decided to make the change?    

When I was 27, I read a news article about plans to increase the retirement age.

It made me realize that I'd be working for much longer than I'd expected. I remember thinking that if I was going to spend so many more years working, I wanted to do something that felt more fulfilling.

That was the moment I decided it was time to make a change.

How did you choose your new career?

I wasn't necessarily looking to change careers completely.

My priority was finding a role where I could use the commercial and management skills I'd already built, while getting the kind of exposure to other countries that would allow me to explore and learn more internationally.

Joining an Italian manufacturing group allowed me to do both.

Are you happy with the change?  

Yes, I'm happy with the change. 

I've achieved my goal of gaining international experience. Along the way, I've learned a new language, and grown both personally and professionally.

How did you go about making the shift?

As soon as I decided it was time to take my career in a new direction, I got to work on it.

I spent time building my network, learning about the market, and getting myself ready, both professionally and personally, for what I hoped would be coming down the line: a move abroad.

After two and a half years, the opportunity came up to relocate to Italy. That was the fulfilment of a long-held personal dream, as part of my family is of Italian descent.

Since then, I've settled into a new culture and way of working, navigated the challenges of the pandemic, grown my family, and completed an executive master's degree.

How did you develop (or transfer) the skills you needed for your new role?

Even with good preparation, many skills are developed on the job.

Moving to a new country and adapting to a new language and culture pushed me far outside my comfort zone.

I had to be proactive, patient and resilient. Having worked across different areas of the business helped me settle in more quickly, and the day-to-day challenges taught me a huge amount along the way.

What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take?

Not everything went as planned.

Adapting was harder than expected, especially during the pandemic. Building a professional network from scratch, understanding cultural differences, and communicating in another language were significant challenges.

There were moments of uncertainty and frustration. I think I underestimated how long adapting would take, both professionally and personally.

At first, I tried to do things the same way I had in Brazil instead of adapting to how things worked locally.

How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?    

I'd started saving some time earlier so I'd have a financial cushion.

When I took on this new role, I kept my costs as low as possible until I was on my feet and able to bring in extra income.

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

What help did you get?

I had the support of my wife as well as a clear and solid plan.

What have you learnt in the process?    

I've learned that even the best plans need flexibility.

You can't control everything, especially when you're making a major life change. 

I've also learned that growth happens outside your comfort zone. Every step that pushed me beyond what felt familiar helped me grow, both personally and professionally.

The challenges I faced abroad helped me become more resilient, adaptable and confident.

At times like this, I remember a saying by Jerry Dunn: “Don’t limit your challenges; challenge your limits.” 

What do you wish you'd done differently?

I would've invested in learning the language earlier and building an international network.

These two things can make settling in much easier and open the door to new opportunities.

What resources would you recommend to others?

I'd recommend continuous learning.

Taking courses and completing professional certifications.

Networking is very important. Connecting with people who've already made similar transitions can provide valuable insights.

Finally, platforms and communities focused on career change, like Careershifters, can offer guidance and inspiration.

What lessons could you take from Tiago's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.