Imagine you’re standing on one side of a river.
On the other side is work that energises you: more meaning, more flexibility, more alignment with who you are now – and how you want to contribute in future.
The problem?
The water feels fast and unpredictable. Leaping straight across feels risky. Staying where you are feels safe – but stagnant.
Some people find a log to cross. Others hop across stepping stones. And sometimes, the smartest thing to do is build a bridge – piece by piece.
Your career transition works the same way.
And today, I want to introduce a powerful but often overlooked strategy for public sector leaders: the bridge job.
Why Your Next Move Doesn’t Have To Be Your Forever Move
Many public sector leaders believe their next career move has to be the move.
The perfect role.
The bold leap.
The final destination.
That belief creates pressure. And pressure keeps you stuck.
A bridge job changes that. A bridge job is a role you take on intentionally as a stepping stone.
It’s not your forever role. It’s a strategic move to build experience, credibility, and clarity. So you can move closer to what you really want.
For many career changers, this is how transitions actually happen.
Gradually.
Strategically.
Step-by-step.
Why Bridge Jobs Matter for Public Sector Leaders
Public sector careers often reward linear progression. So stepping sideways – or even slightly back – can feel uncomfortable or risky.
But a bridge job is not a step backwards.
It’s a smart investment in your future direction.
It gives you:
- Real-world exposure to a new field
- Proof that you can do the work
- A network in the space you’re moving into
- Confidence that this path actually fits you
And perhaps most importantly: it gives you time.
Time to learn, test, and adjust without betting everything on one leap.
Real Life Example: Vera’s Strategic Bridge
Vera wanted to move from international development into HR in the private sector.
Instead of jumping straight, she started consulting on HR projects.
That role gave her credibility and connections. Then she moved into a private sector role that wasn’t HR – but it got her into the environment she wanted.
Two bridge roles later, she transitioned into HR.
Indirect? Yes.
Strategic? Absolutely!
How Public Sector Leaders Identify Their Bridge Job
If this resonates, I invite you to reflect on this:
- What experience would make your next move feel safer?
- What environment would help you learn and build credibility?
- Who could you talk to in that field to understand what it really takes?
Sometimes your bridge job isn’t a full-time role. It might be a project, volunteering, or a short-term contract.
Think of it as prototyping your future.
Your next move does not have to be your forever move.
A bridge job can be the stepping stone that makes your career change possible – without requiring a leap into the unknown.
So if you’re standing on the riverbank right now, ask yourself:
What bridge could I start building today?
Until next time: make space, rediscover YOU, and then take action.