Techie's bold career switch slashed her pay by 40%, now she's living her dream with a job at Meta

For Dawn Choo, the spark for a dream job was lit early. As a college intern at Facebook, she envisioned herself someday working at Instagram as a data scientist. But when graduation loomed, so did practicalities. With no offers from the tech world and an urgent need for visa sponsorship, she accepted a quant role at Bank of America—her gateway to staying in the U.S., even if it meant pushing her aspirations aside.

“I needed a job to stay in the country,” Dawn told Business Insider in a candid interview. “Even if it wasn’t the industry I really wanted.”

Her work at the bank was far from fulfilling. While she dabbled in backend model-building, the passion for data and innovation remained untouched. By the time she hit the three-year mark, the itch to pivot had grown unbearable. She applied for tech roles relentlessly—nearly 100 applications, only 10 interviews, and a single offer: a business analyst position at Amazon.

A Risk That Almost Didn’t Feel Worth It
Taking the job meant swallowing a bitter pill. Her total compensation took a 40% dive. Living in New York City, where rent and ramen both came at premium prices, the impact was both financial and emotional.

“It felt like a step back,” she said. “I wondered, ‘Why did I take this pay cut? Should I just go back?’”

Her role at Amazon felt uninspiring. The tasks were repetitive, and her skills underused. But in that monotony, a spark reignited. She started automating her tasks as a personal project—something that would unexpectedly redefine her future. What began as a quiet experiment soon got the attention of Amazon’s leadership. Within a year, she was promoted to Business Intelligence Engineer, leading a five-person team on a project she had initiated herself.

Dream Realised; On Her Own Terms
That leap of faith paid off again two years later when Dawn finally landed her long-coveted job at Instagram, Meta's image-sharing giant. The journey had been circuitous, the rejections many, but her persistence outlasted her doubts.

“I almost canceled my final Meta interviews,” she admitted. “I just didn’t think I could handle another ‘no’.”

But that final “yes” marked the beginning of three transformative years, both professionally and personally. The work was meaningful, the friendships deep, and her voice—finally—heard in the rooms she always wanted to be in.

Her story isn’t just about changing careers—it’s about taking chances, making peace with temporary setbacks, and trusting that growth rarely follows a straight line.

For every professional standing at the crossroads of comfort and calling, her advice is simple and powerful: “Sometimes one step back is the best way forward.”