‘I made a bold career move. But was it the right one?’

Today I’m analysing the situation of Jackson.  Jackson reached out to me via TikTok for some advice as he is feeling stuck. 

Jackson recently made a big career pivot — moving from brand marketing into product marketing. On paper, it was everything he’d wanted: a fresh challenge, new skills, and a clear step forward. But a few months in, reality wasn’t matching the picture he’d imagined.  

He told me, “I thought I’d be learning from other PMMs, but I’m figuring everything out alone.”  

That’s the moment many people hit after a big move. The pivot looks right on LinkedIn, but doesn’t feel right in practice.  

What’s the challenge?

Jackson found himself in a small company where he’s the only product marketer. He’s doing the work - launching products, running campaigns, shaping messages - but without a team around him to learn from. Instead of feeling stretched, he feels stuck. The excitement of the pivot has turned into isolation.  

He doesn’t regret the move. He just didn’t expect it to feel this lonely.  

How can he move forward?

The issue isn’t the function - it’s the setup. Jackson needs peers, mentorship, and structure. Product marketing is a discipline that grows through collaboration, feedback, and shared thinking. Without that, it’s easy to plateau.  

So rather than questioning the pivot itself, it’s about finding the right environment to grow into it.  

My advice

1. Find a learning environment  

You can’t grow in a vacuum. Target companies where product marketing is established as a function — where there are other PMMs to learn from, clear processes, and collaboration with product, sales, and CX. The right context will teach you more in six months than you can teach yourself in two years.  

2. Build your own network of PMMs

If your company can’t provide mentors, go outside it. Join a product marketing community, attend conferences, and connect with PMMs at brands you admire. Reach out for quick coffee chats. Most people are happy to share advice — and you’ll start to build a circle that keeps you learning.  

3. Reframe what “progress” looks like

It’s easy to see growth only in job titles or company size. But this season can teach you resourcefulness — how to operate independently, experiment, and build your own systems. Those lessons will serve you when you move into a bigger team.  

4. Keep your confidence up  

Feeling stuck can quickly spiral into self-doubt. Track your wins — launches, insights, improvements, whatever they are. You’re building experience, even when it feels slow.  

If Jackson’s story resonates, you’re not behind — you’re just between steps. Sometimes a pivot gets you into the right lane before you find the right track.  

If you’re ready to find that next environment — one built for learning, growth and momentum — apply to join my Creative Career Level Up programme. You’ll get clarity, direction, and the support to land your next great move.