Careers aren't linear. They're messy, unpredictable, and rarely go according to plan - and that's exactly where the good stuff happens.
This Wasn't the Plan (And That's the Point) is told through sharp insight, humor, and single-panel comics, as a guide for anyone in the first decade of their career, looking for a career change, or to navigate further along one and are wondering if they're doing it "right." Spoiler: there is no right - just the next right step.
The book tells the story of a young environmental idealist who accidentally enrolls in the wrong university program but finds herself on a career journey she never could have engineered on purpose: ambushes in corporate boardrooms, political battles in government, consulting chaos behind perfectly polished presentations, a desert awakening in Arizona, disaster-recovery missions, and leadership moments that arrived long before she felt ready.
Blending personal stories with practical coaching moments, she navigates power dynamics, reinvention without starting over, spotting hidden opportunities, and growth through uncertainty. Not a memoir, rather a companion for people figuring it out as they go.
Because careers don't always unfold according to a plan, but with the right mindset, it will unfold exactly as it should.
Reading this feels less like a book and more like a late-night coffee with a trusted friend. Real, relatable, and comforting - guidance I know I'll return to throughout my career." - Kaya P.
A powerful reminder that modern careers are unpredictable - and that every choice can be the right one when you lead with integrity." - April K.
Magda Pavlak-Chiaradia is an executive, writer, and longtime advocate for the messy, nonlinear path of building a career. She began her professional life with a degree in geology before reinventing herself across industries, countries, and roles.
Her career has taken her from Massachusetts to Arizona in the United States, and across France, Poland, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, and beyond.
Driven by the belief that no one should have to navigate the first ten years of their career alone, Magda has spent years helping others find clarity, confidence, and their own way forward.
Her writing blends practical guidance with honest storytelling, offering readers a refreshing and relatable perspective on reinvention at any age.
This Wasn't the Plan (And That's the Point) is her debut book - heartfelt, and deeply human guide for anyone carving out a career, rebuilding one, or learning to trust that the unexpected path may be the one they needed all along.
She currently divides her time between Poland and wherever the next chapter takes her.
