"Rolling with the Multidisciplinary Flow: Just Embrace It!"

Two years ago, I embarked on a transformative journey to the Netherlands as a highly skilled expat at the age of 38.
Leaving behind family, friends, pets, and the familiarity of my network, business credit, and job position in Iran was not an easy decision. Yet, armed with 12 years of experience as a Legal Manager and Business Consultant, I arrived with a wealth of knowledge acquired in a multidisciplinary environment.

However, my transition to the Netherlands revealed a different professional culture” Specialization” was the key, and in finding my second job journey, the challenge became apparent.

 In Iran, being versatile across disciplines was a norm rather than an exception. Most Iranian expats in the Netherlands, like myself, were not just well-educated but deeply experienced. Our expertise went beyond surface knowledge; it was ingrained in us as a survival mechanism in a broken economy governed by insatiable appetites, and the professional work landscape demanded proficiency in areas such as being resilient and knowing about change, risk management, and business continuity.

In Iran, my success as a Contract Manager was rooted in a holistic understanding of legal intricacies, project management, sustainability, and business dynamics. But here in the Netherlands, the emphasis was on specializing, and I found myself questioning how to sell my knowledge and skills as a lawyer when a broader skill set seemed undervalued.

Initially, facing rejection and feeling overqualified and scattered, I believed I was all-purpose and nothing.  I realized that simply having these credentials didn't necessarily translate into effectively marketing my expertise.

Struggling to see how these experiences could be considered assets, I now realize adapting to this change required a shift in perspective.

Instead of hiding my diverse skill set, I decided to embrace them. I emphasized how my deep understanding of various domains, as a complementary skill, could enhance the overall service I could provide.

In #WiseBridge, I've carved a distinctive niche for myself, finding my own identity where no existing match could define my versatility and capabilities.
I began showcasing how my multidisciplinary background allowed me to approach challenges with a unique perspective.
Understanding business, sustainability, ESG, and project management became a priority—not as a replacement for legal expertise but as a tool to enhance and streamline legal processes.
The world is changing to a multidisciplinary paradigm, To cultivate strategic thinkers, decision-makers, and insightful analysts among our employees, we must wholeheartedly embrace and accept this transformative change to propel our organization forward.