Making a career switch in your 30s while raising a family in today’s economy is no easy feat. Salihin Salahuddin, a one-year MDRT member from Klang, Malaysia, expertly navigates his life-changing transition to a financial advisor, even acquiring MDRT membership within 7 months of his career switch. He effortlessly showcases how a background in engineering, sheer determination and meticulous planning were crucial to his journey to success.

As a civil engineer by degree and profession, Salihin spent over 11 years ensuring structural integrity of buildings and townships like Horizon Hills, Eco Botanic and the Els Club in Johor. From a young age, he was always a planner, knowing with certainty that he wanted to be an engineer. However in 2023, he realized he wanted to try something new – financial advisory. After a five-month risk analysis, he took the plunge, just two weeks after serving his notice.

"The transition wasn’t sudden. I spent five months analyzing the risks before I made the leap. In engineering, problem-solving and analysis are crucial, and the same principle can be applied in financial advisory. I love numbers, and I’ve been passionate about civil engineering since I was 14. But over time, I realized I wanted to tackle different challenges. I didn’t want to solve the same problem every day, so I sought a career that would allow me to solve new problems. It was slow and steady, but I knew I had to be sure before making a major change. I wanted a career where I could apply my analytical skills while helping people."

Leveraging engineering skills in financial advisory

Salihin’s engineering experience provided him a structured and analytical mindset. In both fields, understanding and managing risk is paramount. As an engineer, he was trained to approach problems logically, identify potential risks, and develop solutions that would mitigate those risks. He learned these same skills are required when advising clients on financial products, particularly in the insurance industry where the evaluation and management of risk is key.

The attention to detail, honed through years of engineering, allows him to thoroughly assess his clients’ financial situations and recommend solutions. His meticulous nature ensures every decision is backed by data, which reassures his clients and builds trust. He takes his responsibility as a financial advisor seriously, viewing his role as equally critical to the well-being of others as his former role in engineering.

"Engineering taught me to think about risk from every angle, and this directly applies to insurance. In engineering, you identify a problem, analyze the risks, and come up with a solution. In financial advisory, I help clients assess financial risks and plan accordingly. I’m meticulous about recording data, even down to small details like expenses, because it’s important to have a clear process when managing finances.”

He adds, “I had a friend who worked for over five years and had only a few hundred Malaysian ringgit (RM) saved. That motivated me to educate people about proper financial planning. Many people today adopt a ‘YOLO’ mindset — believing that you only live once — but my goal is to shift that perspective toward long-term financial security."

Overcoming self-doubt and other challenges

His decision to leave engineering didn’t come without doubts, but he dealt with it in a practical and methodical way. He understands that any career transition comes with uncertainties, but for him, it was about maintaining a positive mindset. Rather than allowing fear to dictate his decisions, he took time aside to reflect on why he was feeling that way. This allowed him to address the root of his concerns and move forward with a clear plan.

Salihin says, "Whenever I had doubts, I asked myself why I was feeling that way. Every career has its challenges, you need to overcome that mental block and face the problem directly. The only way forward is to ask yourself the hard questions and find the solution. You can’t wallow in self-pity; it’s on you to change your fate, there’s no shame in seeking help from those with more experience but the onus is on you to do it.”

While Salihin encountered few of the typical obstacles. his unwavering determination and passion for his new profession facilitated a seamless transition, even when it demanded long hours and sustained focus. He embraced the change wholeheartedly, willingly sacrificing sleep and leisure to pursue his goals.

"Surprisingly, I didn’t face many major challenges,” Salihin admitted. “I have a mentality that if I like something, I’ll give it my all. There were nights where I only slept for two or three hours because I was focused on work, but it didn’t feel like a burden because I enjoyed what I was doing. I approach every task with the mentality of being a champion. In my first month alone, I achieved RM108K in sales and closed my first client in just three days.”

Achieving MDRT status

Salihin attributes his rapid success in achieving MDRT status to a combination of personal determination and the support he received from his leader. His leader recognized his potential from the beginning and consistently motivated him to aim for MDRT membership. This belief in his abilities provided him with the confidence and drive he needed to excel quickly in his new career.

Salihin states, "My leader played a big part in my success. From day one, she told me that I would become an MDRT member. Her belief in me gave me the drive to push harder and achieve more. In less than seven months, I hit that goal, and I couldn’t have done it without her guidance and support. She saw the value in me and helped me strive to be better every day."

Besides providing advice, she instilled a belief in him that reaching MDRT was not just possible, but inevitable. This early support reinforced his already strong work ethic, pushing him to surpass expectations and achieve MDRT in under seven months.

Salihin’s career journey underscores that true success in a career transition comes from internal growth, adaptability, and a strong mindset. His thoughtful, risk-aware approach highlights that thriving in a new field requires more than just learning new skills; it’s about applying past experiences with a focus on long-term goals.

Contact: MDRTeditorial@teamlewis.com

Pivoting from engineering to financial advisory: Factors propelling success