Career Transformation Stories
Real people who changed careers and transformed their lives. See salary increases of 200-300% and complete career pivots at ages 25-45.
Before: The Struggle
- •Limited salary growth despite years of experience
- •Felt undervalued in the education sector
- •Teaching ICT but not practicing it professionally
- •No opportunities for skill advancement
- •Family financial pressures growing
"I was teaching students about technology but felt left behind by the actual tech industry. The salary was barely covering expenses."
The Decision to Change
Birth of second child made me realize I needed a career with better financial prospects
Researched IT careers and found cybersecurity had high demand and good salaries in Sri Lanka
Ceylon Open Campus offered part-time study so I could keep working while studying. The Cyber Security program had industry certifications included.
Worried about age (32) and whether I could compete with younger tech professionals
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Balancing full-time teaching, family, and studies was exhausting
- •Technical concepts were challenging initially
- •Sacrificed weekends and evenings for 3 years
- •Financial strain of tuition fees while supporting family
Wife took on extra work to support the family. Ceylon Open Campus faculty were understanding of work-study balance.
Completing CEH certification during the program gave me confidence. Landing internship at 99X in final year.
After: The Transformation
- Work is challenging and intellectually stimulating
- Continuous learning is part of the job
- Colleagues respect my expertise
- Can afford better education for my children
- Feel secure about financial future
"The transformation feels surreal. From struggling teacher to cybersecurity professional at a leading tech company. My life has completely changed."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Nimal Bandara's Advice for Career Changers
- 1Age is just a number - I started at 29 and succeeded
- 2Part-time study is tough but doable with family support
- 3Choose a field with strong job demand
- 4The sacrifice is temporary, the rewards are permanent
- 5Don't let fear of change keep you stuck
Before: The Struggle
- •Repetitive paperwork with no career progression
- •Watching quantity surveyors and engineers earn 3x my salary
- •No professional qualification or career path
- •Work was not intellectually challenging
- •Felt stuck in a dead-end job
"I was processing bills and contracts daily but had no understanding of the construction industry. I felt invisible and undervalued."
The Decision to Change
A senior QS at my company encouraged me to pursue quantity surveying since I had exposure to contracts
Discovered QSs earn LKR 100,000+ and there's high demand in construction sector
IQSSL accreditation meant I could become a chartered QS. Part-time option let me keep my job and income.
As a woman in construction, worried about discrimination and whether I'd be taken seriously
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Learning construction technology and measurement was completely new
- •Being one of few women in a male-dominated field
- •Site visits meant traveling on weekends
- •Had to prove myself capable in technical subjects
My manager supported my studies and gave me QS-related tasks at work to practice. Faculty mentors were encouraging.
Winning best student award in final year. Internship at MAGA Engineering led to job offer.
After: The Transformation
- Professional respect from contractors and consultants
- Every project is different and challenging
- On pathway to chartered QS status (MRICS)
- Financial independence to support my parents
- Breaking barriers as a woman in construction
"From filing paperwork to estimating multi-million rupee projects. I'm not just in construction - I'm a professional in construction."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Ayesha Nazeer's Advice for Career Changers
- 1Don't let gender stereotypes stop you - construction needs diversity
- 2Use your current job exposure to inform your study choices
- 3Build relationships with professionals in your target field
- 4Professional qualifications like IQSSL accreditation matter
- 5Invest in yourself - no one else will do it for you
Before: The Struggle
- •Doing patient care work but not recognized as a professional
- •Salary was insufficient for family needs
- •No career progression path as nursing assistant
- •Wanted to be a registered nurse but lacked qualifications
- •Long hours with limited benefits
"I loved patient care but felt the frustration of not being a professional nurse. I could do much more if I had the qualification."
The Decision to Change
Hospital started hiring registered nurses at much higher salaries - made me realize what I was missing
Explored nursing degree programs that would lead to SLNC registration
Ceylon Open Campus BSc Nursing was SLNC approved and offered clinical placements. Could study part-time initially.
At 31, worried I was too old to start a 4-year degree. Financial pressure of tuition fees.
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Returning to academic study after 12 years was difficult
- •Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology required intensive study
- •Clinical rotations while working were physically exhausting
- •Took education loan to complete the program
Hospital reduced my hours to support my studies. Family sacrificed so I could complete the degree.
Passing SLNC registration exams. Being hired as RN at Asiri Hospital.
After: The Transformation
- Professional recognition and respect
- Legally authorized to perform nursing procedures
- Career path to specialized nursing and management
- Significantly improved family finances
- Pride in achieving what seemed impossible
"At 35, I became a registered nurse - something I dreamed about for 10 years. Age is not a barrier when you have determination."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Kumara Vithanage's Advice for Career Changers
- 1You're never too old to pursue your dream career
- 2Professional qualifications transform your career trajectory
- 3Education loans are investments, not debts
- 4Family support is crucial for career transitions
- 5The struggle is worth it - don't give up
Before: The Struggle
- •Repetitive customer transactions daily
- •Limited career growth in branch banking
- •No pathway to management without degree
- •Watching colleagues with degrees get promoted
- •Work felt meaningless and unfulfilling
"Counting money and processing transactions for 8 hours daily was soul-crushing. I knew I was capable of so much more."
The Decision to Change
Younger colleague with MBA got promoted to branch manager over me despite my 7 years of experience
Realized I needed a business degree to move into management. Researched programs with operations focus.
BA in Business Management with Operations specialization fit my career goals. Evening classes suited my banking hours.
Could I balance banking work with business studies? Would the degree actually lead to better opportunities?
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Managing customer complaints during the day, then rushing to evening classes
- •Assignments and group projects on top of work deadlines
- •Self-doubt when struggling with finance and statistics modules
- •Exhaustion from juggling work and study for 3 years
Study group of fellow banking professionals in the program. Bank approved study leave for exams.
Capstone project on bank operations optimization was implemented at my branch, improving efficiency by 30%.
After: The Transformation
- Managing operations across 8 branches
- Implementing process improvements bank-wide
- Leading a team of 45 staff members
- Financial security for my family
- Respect from colleagues and senior management
"From teller to operations manager - the degree was my ticket to management. Now I shape strategy instead of just executing tasks."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Samanthi Rajapaksha's Advice for Career Changers
- 1Don't wait for your employer to invest in you - invest in yourself
- 2Choose a specialization aligned with industry needs
- 3Apply what you learn immediately in your current job
- 4A degree levels the playing field with younger competitors
- 5Career transformation takes sacrifice but is absolutely worth it
Before: The Struggle
- •Pressure to meet sales targets was stressful
- •Income fluctuated based on commission
- •Selling security software but didn't understand it technically
- •Wanted technical career with stable income
- •At 35, felt it was now or never for career change
"I was selling cybersecurity solutions without really understanding them. I wanted to be on the technical side, not sales side."
The Decision to Change
Lost a major sale because I couldn't answer technical questions from the CIO. Realized technical knowledge was power.
My technical colleagues earned LKR 150,000+ without the stress of sales targets. Cybersecurity had massive demand.
Ceylon Open Campus offered evening classes perfect for working professionals. Cyber Security program included CEH certification.
At 35, was I too old to become a technical professional? Could I learn coding and security concepts?
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Zero technical background made programming modules extremely hard
- •Younger classmates picked up concepts faster
- •Continuing sales job while studying reduced my commission income
- •Family questioned my decision to change careers at 35
Ceylon Open Campus faculty provided extra help for students from non-technical backgrounds. Wife believed in my decision.
Successfully hacking a test system in penetration testing lab - proved to myself I could do technical work.
After: The Transformation
- Technical work is intellectually fulfilling
- Stable income without sales pressure
- Continuous learning keeps work interesting
- Respect from technical community
- Pride in protecting critical infrastructure
"From selling security to securing Dialog's network infrastructure. At 38, I found my true calling. It's never too late to change careers."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Ruwan Perera's Advice for Career Changers
- 135 is not too old - I succeeded and so can you
- 2Sales skills transfer well to technical roles (communication, client understanding)
- 3Starting from zero in a technical field is possible with dedication
- 4Stable income beats commission-based income for family security
- 5Career change is scary but staying stuck is scarier
Before: The Struggle
- •Writing about tech products I didn't understand
- •Limited salary growth in content writing
- •Wanted to create technology, not just write about it
- •No technical skills, just creative skills
- •Saw developers earn 3x my salary
"I was writing about amazing tech products and apps but felt like an outsider. I wanted to build, not just describe."
The Decision to Change
Interviewed a female software engineer earning LKR 140,000 for an article. Realized I could do that too.
Explored coding bootcamps vs degree. Chose degree for comprehensive education and better job prospects.
Ceylon Open Campus Software Engineering had weekend classes. Some classmates were also career changers.
Zero math or technical background. Would I be able to learn programming?
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Programming was like learning a foreign language
- •Imposter syndrome being surrounded by technical people
- •Algorithms and data structures were extremely challenging
- •Continued content writing to pay tuition and living expenses
Online coding communities and supportive classmates. Faculty recognized my creative thinking was an asset in UI/UX.
Building my first web app - a content management system for writers. Got accepted into Virtusa internship.
After: The Transformation
- Creating products used by thousands of people
- Combining creative and technical skills in frontend development
- Financial independence at 26
- Proving women can succeed in tech
- Continuous learning and growth
"From writing about software to engineering software. My unique background as a writer makes me a better developer - I understand users."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Lakshmi Karunathilaka's Advice for Career Changers
- 1Non-technical backgrounds can be an advantage in tech
- 2You don't need to be a math genius to code
- 3Women in tech face challenges but the rewards are worth it
- 4Your creative skills transfer to UI/UX and product thinking
- 5The tech industry needs diverse perspectives
Before: The Struggle
- •Bureaucratic red tape and slow career progression
- •Salary insufficient for family of 4
- •No satisfaction from administrative work
- •Saw private sector construction booming
- •Felt trapped in government job with no growth
"Government job security wasn't worth the low salary and lack of growth. I wanted a career where hard work was rewarded."
The Decision to Change
Son's university education costs made me realize I needed higher income. At 38, it was my last chance for career change.
Construction industry needed qualified managers. Construction Management degree could open doors.
Part-time program meant I could continue government job while studying. Could switch to private sector after graduation.
Leaving government job security at 42. Would private sector hire someone my age?
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Family depended on government salary during studies
- •Learning construction technology at 38 was challenging
- •Balancing municipal job, studies, and family
- •Doubts about finding employment after graduation at 42
Wife worked extra hours. Ceylon Open Campus connected me with industry mentors. Construction companies valued maturity.
Final year project on public infrastructure management impressed Sanken Construction recruiters.
After: The Transformation
- Managing major construction projects
- Salary supports family comfortably
- Work is dynamic and rewarding
- Respect from construction professionals
- Glad I took the risk of leaving government
"At 42, I left government security for construction industry. Best decision of my life. My income quadrupled and I actually enjoy my work."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Buddhika Amaraweera's Advice for Career Changers
- 1Government job security is an illusion if salary doesn't meet your needs
- 2Career change is possible even in your 40s
- 3Construction industry values maturity and responsibility
- 4Private sector rewards performance, not just seniority
- 5Don't let age be an excuse - take the leap
Before: The Struggle
- •Love teaching but salary was not enough
- •Limited career growth in education sector
- •Wanted to transition to corporate sector
- •People skills undervalued in teaching
- •Long hours with no extra compensation
"Teaching is noble but doesn't pay the bills. I realized my people skills could be valuable in HR, with better compensation."
The Decision to Change
Friend working in HR earned LKR 120,000 and said my teaching background would be perfect for HR
HR managers earn well and there's demand. BA in Business Management with HRM specialization would qualify me.
Weekend and evening classes let me keep teaching job. HRM specialization was exactly what I needed.
Would corporate sector value my teaching experience? Could I transition from education to business?
The Journey: Challenges & Growth
- •Business concepts like finance and accounting were new
- •Continued teaching while studying was exhausting
- •Imposter syndrome entering corporate environment
- •No corporate experience to put on resume
School principal supported my career goals. Ceylon Open Campus career services helped me frame teaching experience for corporate HR.
Internship at Commercial Bank HR department. They saw value in my training and development skills from teaching.
After: The Transformation
- Using teaching skills for employee training
- Respected in corporate environment
- Compensation reflects my value
- Career growth opportunities
- Better work-life balance than teaching
"My teaching experience became my biggest asset in HR. I didn't leave education - I brought educational expertise to corporate training."
Financial Transformation
Transformation Timeline
Chamari Jayawardena's Advice for Career Changers
- 1Teaching skills transfer beautifully to HR and training roles
- 2Your "non-business" background can be a unique strength
- 3Corporate sector values transferable skills
- 4Frame your experience to show relevance to target industry
- 5Career change doesn't mean abandoning your passion - find new applications
Average Salary Transformations by Field
Frequently Asked Questions About Career Change
Am I too old to change careers?
Absolutely not! Our successful career changers range from age 25 to 45. Buddhika changed careers at 38 and is now a Construction Manager at 42. Ruwan transitioned to cybersecurity at 35. Kumara became a registered nurse at 35. Age brings maturity, life experience, and transferable skills that employers value. It's never too late to pursue a fulfilling career.
Can I really double or triple my salary?
Yes, as shown in these real stories, salary increases of 200-300% are achievable when transitioning from lower-paying fields to high-demand professional careers. The key factors are: (1) Choosing a field with strong demand (IT, Healthcare, Construction, Business), (2) Obtaining proper qualifications, (3) Gaining practical experience through internships, and (4) Targeting employers who value credentials. These transformations typically take 3-4 years but result in permanent salary elevation.
How do I study while working full-time?
All the individuals in these stories studied part-time while working. Ceylon Open Campus offers evening classes (6pm-9pm), weekend classes, and some online options specifically for working professionals. It requires sacrifice - evenings, weekends, and family time for 3-4 years - but it's absolutely doable with family support and time management. Many employers are also supportive of employees pursuing education.
What if I have no background in my target field?
Several of our career changers had zero background in their target fields. Lakshmi went from content writing to software engineering with no technical background. Nimal went from teaching to cybersecurity. Ruwan went from sales to technical security work. Ceylon Open Campus programs include foundation courses to bring students up to speed. Your existing skills (communication, organization, people skills) transfer to new fields in ways you might not expect.
How long does career transformation typically take?
Based on these stories, the average time from enrollment to landing a job in the new field is 3.5-4 years. This includes 3-3.5 years of part-time study plus 3-6 months for job search. However, many students secure internships or job offers during their final year of study, accelerating the timeline. The investment of 3.5 years results in 30+ years of better earnings and more fulfilling work.
How do I afford tuition while supporting my family?
Most career changers keep their current jobs while studying part-time, maintaining income. Ceylon Open Campus offers payment plans to spread tuition costs. Some students take education loans (which have favorable terms). Family members sometimes take on additional work temporarily to support the investment. The ROI is strong - most graduates recover their tuition investment within 6-14 months of salary increases in their new careers.
Your Career Transformation Starts Here
These stories are real. These transformations are possible. If they can do it, so can you.