Lifecycle Career Pathing: 2025 & Beyond
There's still a path to greatness. But it's highly intentional.
It’s weird out there right now. Like, really weird.
Between economic uncertainty and the rise of AI-driven technologies, the job market feels like a mix of fear and superficial optimism, with both factors heavily influencing how roles are scoped and how salaries are set.
For those of us in the lifecycle and CRM space, that makes career planning and job searching feel murky. These are not easy roles even in the best of times.
But if you're aiming to ascend in your career—to go from executor to strategist, or from manager to leader—you need to zoom out and keep a few guiding principles in mind.
1. Vet the opportunity like it might change your life.
Not every job is worth the leap. At this point, the ability to assess product-market fit and momentum should be a requirement before putting your energy into an interview process. Is the company growing? Is there actual traction, or just talk? Are they chasing ghosts from legacy success or building toward something you believe in? Knowing the difference can save you a lot of wasted cycles.
2. Understand the constraints you'll face.
Every job has tradeoffs. But you need to ask the right questions so you can get honest about whether you’ll have the buy-in and leadership support required to do meaningful work. You don’t need a perfect setup, but you do need some signal that your success is a shared priority, not a solo mission.
3. Succeed wildly anyway.
Constraints show up in every job, especially dream jobs because they are usually a dream job because there is room for outsized impact.
The people who consistently find a way to deliver, even when things are messy or under-resourced, are the ones who stand out. When you can lead through ambiguity, prove your value, and build trust through execution, your career moves with you…not just your title.
The road ahead may be unpredictable, but clarity comes from action. Vet the job. Understand the reality. And then make magic happen and lead by example.
xo,
Drew
p.s. If any of you are indie rock fans, my band just released a single called “Free Annie”. You can listen now across the music streaming platform of your choice.