Discovering Possibility Beyond Made-up Limits: Sandie on Career Pivots, Writing Caves, and the Value of Not Typecasting

A Member Spotlight with Sandie

For Sandie, the philosophy that most of life can be figured out through willingness and persistence isn't just a bumper sticker phrase or a fun thing to say in the lull of a conversation; it's a lived experience and demonstrated ability. After years in the intense and demanding world of being an educator, Sandie decided to test the truth of the limits she had placed on herself to discover something else was possible.

By teaching herself the technical skills of data analysis through free online resources, she became aware that the only thing limiting her was her own belief that she was only a humanities thinker. Today, she works for the app Propel, helping users navigate the complexities of government benefits through her newly acquired and applied skills.

I sat down with Sandie to discuss her pivot from classrooms to code, the humbling and beautiful process of writing a novel, and why the most important work we can do is to stop typecasting ourselves and our neighbors.

Dana: To start us off, tell me about the work you do and the path that led you to where you are now.

Sandie: Right now, I do data analysis for a company called Propel. We have an app that makes it easy for users to check their EBT balances and connects them with government benefits and resources. I actually transitioned into this from education. I used to be a high school history teacher. I was looking for a better work-life balance and wanted to explore what else was out there.

I taught myself the technical skills I needed using free resources online to make a complete career change. I was highly motivated, but I also had a lot of support from my husband, who was a data engineer at the time. He assured me over and over, despite my doubts about myself, that I could definitely learn the skills I needed. And he was right!

Dana: When you are learning new things, what is the mindset you bring to that process and what are the tools you find helpful?

Sandie: I’m actively trying to shift my mindset away from perfectionism. In the past, I was reluctant to try things if I wasn’t already going to be good at them. Now, I try to view things not as failures, but as learning experiences.

In terms of tools that help me learn things, I use everything from the internet and AI (I’m currently using AI to help me interpret crochet patterns!) to other people. I’m a people person; I get a lot of motivation and inspiration from communities. I’m in several creative writing groups that help me get perspective. My mindset now is: I have this goal. I can do it. I should just start doing something toward it, even if I don’t know if it’s the best first step. Keeping momentum will allow me to get closer and I can always adjust along the way as I learn. 

Dana: Has there been a "limiting belief" or a rule you used to follow that you’ve realized isn't actually helpful?

Sandie: Career changing really pushed me out of the belief that I was a certain type of person with a fixed skill set. I studied humanities; I never thought of myself as a quantitative thinker or someone who could learn a programming language. I’ve realized you shouldn't typecast yourself or put yourself in a box. I’m still unlearning the need for a "perfect plan" before I start, but I’m seeing the value of walking towards what I want and gaining information along the way. I am still working on the need for external validation and focusing more on how it feels in my experience to guide my next steps. 

Dana: If you had to only focus on just one thing right now, what would it be?

Sandie: Probably the book I’m writing. That was a big part of why I wanted a better work-life balance. I wanted the mental and physical energy to work on my novel. It’s been a long, humbling project of working through perfectionism and self-discovery.

I’ve actually been really productive lately in what I call my "writing cave", a windowless room where I light a candle so I can get fully immersed in my fantasy world. If I could do that full-time at a writing retreat? That’s the dream.

Dana: In a world full of external advice, how do you find the space to listen to your own internal direction?

Sandie: Pursuing a creative project for a long time has been eye-opening for understanding myself. I don't believe people who say "I'm not creative." Everyone is. The process of translating something from your head into the world is transformative. I’ve learned to give myself space to sit and listen to myself. When I don’t overthink the writing and just go with the flow, I can look back at what I made and realize, "Oh, this is actually about this thing I’ve been feeling." It opens a door to a conversation with yourself. I also have learned through this process so much empathy for other writers and creative people. Seeing first hand what it takes to make something and the effort to get to that good enough place with a project makes me appreciate other people and their creations so much more. 

Dana: You bring such a thoughtful and connective energy to The Pearl Works. How does this environment support you?

Sandie: I’ve loved meeting the people here. There is a culture of people showing up thoughtfully—whether that’s a kind conversation or a genuine interest in your work. I joined because I was feeling isolated working from home; I wanted to get out into town and meet people. It’s been amazing to be part of the community here.

Dana: What is a local Monterey "secret" or spot that helps you reset?

Sandie: It might be the obvious one, but the ocean. I’ve gotten really into tide pooling recently. You can go basically anywhere out here and find a good spot. My "Holy Grail" would be seeing an octopus in the wild, though I’ve seen a few Nudibranchs—they are standout favorites for me because they’re so beautiful and rare.

Dana: At the end of the day, what is the question that you think about?

Sandie: Bridging differences and building healthy relationships. So much of the world right now is perceived through online discourse, but I want to spend more time just actually getting to know my neighbors. We shouldn't typecast others any more than we typecast ourselves.

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Sandie’s story is a wonderful invitation into the possibilities of a growth mindset. Whether she’s decoding data at Propel or weaving new worlds in her writing cave, she moves with the confidence of knowing that everything is figure-out-able if you have the right attitude and a community behind you.

Want to join a community that supports your next career pivot or creative project? Book a tour and meet people like Sandie today.

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