Okay, okay, so for the first time in my professional career, I've been very intentional about my next steps. In previous years, I was climbing the corporate ladder almost on autopilot. My first role at L'Oréal came from a university event with the company, and after that, I basically just said "yes" to every opportunity that came my way in Linkedin. Don’t get me wrong—I feel exceptionally grateful and have gained countless valuable skills and insights. However, for those who know me, it was clear that what I was missing was working on a product, project, or service I found meaningful and where I could make a tangible impact. And that’s where my journey to transition industries began. Here’s what I did:
Build, build, build: Two years ago, while struggling to switch industries, I made my first bold move: quitting my corporate job to focus solely on building Metagals. Through Metagals, I aimed to learn about Web3 while sharing that journey with my community, and it worked. I was surrounded by the most passionate, curious minds, and that taught me more than I ever expected. By building something myself, I gained not only “hard skills” but also profound self-knowledge. I reexamined my perspective on work, and my values and ideas were challenged by the industry. Also, in crypto, being a builder helps you position yourself and engage with other communities, which are (for the most part) open, helpful, and collaborative spaces. 🔨
Get the skills and be hands-on: In my opinion, understanding Web3 values and the mechanics behind it is essential. I didn’t start as a technical person—I studied Marketing and Communication. But as I learned more about how things worked, it became clear that Web3 is at a stage where familiarity with the terminology and understanding the underlying technology is essential to engage fully and gain value. Here’s what I did to deepen my skills:
Master's in Digital Business and Innovation: As I had more flexibility with time now, I chose to study a Technology Management program. This program was particularly useful, as it covered coding basics, machine learning, blockchain, and more. The international setting in Spain also expanded my perspective in countless ways that definitely led me to see things from a different perspective and take the steps towards this new role.
SheFi Cohort 11: As I approached graduation, I started considering Web3 companies and roles to apply for. Joining the SheFi cohort expanded my knowledge and, most importantly, gave me access to a community eager to support and share knowledge. Here I also met Val, an HR advisor for web3 who kindly took the time to review my CV and share her knowledge a couple times. Also, she held monthly sessions with the community.
Be involved in the ecosystem: From building Metagals, self-study, and taking SheFi lessons, I realized that being part of a community helps you build the right network. I once heard, “Your network is your net worth,” and it’s true. Apart from the points above, referrals were key in securing interviews in the industry. Before landing my role at Binance, I got close to final rounds in two other processes, thanks to referrals from SheFi and Metagals members. The connection that led to Binance was someone I met through Metagals—full circle. ❤️
Be fearless and curious: In SheFi there's this saying of "doing it scared." And I made that my mantra as well. In the past few years, I’ve taken risks and challenged myself to feel uncomfy. I did things such as quitting my job, attending IRL events by myself, traveling to expand my network (even when I didn't know anyone) and more. For instance, since I was already in Europe this year, attending the SheFi Summit in Brussels was a no-brainer. However, once I arrived, imposter syndrome hit hard. It’s intimidating to show up in spaces with talented people and try to find your place there. But trust me—no one else cares about your insecurities. Showing up with confidence and humility opens doors to opportunities and friendships in the ecosystem... the first thing to do is to just show up.
If you want to know more or have specific questions, you know I’m always happy to help and share.
X: @_paauu_ / @metagals_
IG: @_paucorral
Thanks for reading 🙂