Many professionals dream about changing careers, but very few take the leap. Leaving behind a stable profession, financial security, and years of experience requires courage, conviction, and a willingness to start over.
In this episode of DiscoverU Career Journeys, career coach Nahida Coelho speaks with Sahil Purswani, who spent eight years working as an instrumentation engineer before choosing to follow his lifelong passion for art. Today, he’s building a new career as a tattoo artist – combining creativity, discipline, and technical precision in an entirely different profession.
Sahil shares what led him to make this life-changing decision, the challenges of leaving engineering behind, what it really takes to become a tattoo artist, and his advice for anyone considering a career pivot.
“You have to be true to yourself. There will be luck, pleasure and pain – but in the end, it’s all worth it.” – Sahil Purswani
Q&A with Sahil Purswani
Tell us about your life today as a tattoo artist. What does a typical day look like?
As opposed to what many people believe, the life of a tattoo artist is actually very structured and disciplined. Since tattooing is a service-oriented profession, hygiene is our highest priority. Every day begins with making sure the studio is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before checking emails, client enquiries and appointments. As an apprentice, I spend a lot of time improving my drawing skills, creating tattoo designs and assisting my mentor with preparing stencils and helping clients understand the tattooing process. Every client is different, so no two days are ever the same, and the length of my workday depends entirely on the work involved.
“Tattooing isn’t just art – it’s a service profession built on discipline, hygiene and trust.”
Growing up, what were some of your earliest interests?
Art has always been a part of my life. Like many children, I loved finger painting and sketching on walls, but unlike most, I never really let go of that interest. Art stayed with me in one form or another and gradually became my biggest passion. Alongside that, I enjoyed sports like swimming and table tennis, and I was always curious about how things worked. I loved collecting stamps, which later turned into collecting watches, and that curiosity naturally drew me towards science and engineering.
Your father was an engineer. How did that influence your career choice?
My father was a mechanical engineer who loved fixing things around the house. Whether it was repairing a scooter or solving a household problem, I would sit beside him, watch him work and eventually start helping him. That curiosity stayed with me throughout school, where I enjoyed science projects and working with my hands. Slowly, I began to feel that engineering would allow me to create meaningful things and solve practical problems, which is what attracted me to the profession.
For viewers unfamiliar with instrumentation engineering, what exactly is it?
Instrumentation engineering is essentially the study of instruments that help measure, monitor and control different systems. These can range from simple sensors in household appliances to complex automation systems used in factories and industrial plants. It’s a multidisciplinary field that combines electronics, mechanics, software and automation, and offers opportunities across industries like pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, food processing, research and many others.
After graduation, you completed an additional technical course before starting work. Why did you choose that path?
Although I completed my engineering degree, I realised that classroom learning alone wasn’t enough for the kind of practical engineering work I wanted to do. Since core instrumentation jobs were highly competitive, I decided to enrol in an Advanced Training Institute programme, which helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world industry skills. Looking back, that course played a huge role in preparing me for my first engineering job, and I’d recommend similar government-supported programmes to students looking to strengthen their practical skills.
“Practical skills often make the difference between having a degree and being job-ready.”
What kind of work did you do during your eight years in engineering?
I worked in technical service roles supporting pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, manufacturing plants and educational institutions across India. My job involved installing, servicing and maintaining sophisticated instruments, travelling extensively to customer sites, troubleshooting technical issues and managing projects. The role gave me the opportunity to work with scientists, researchers, plant engineers and technicians, and exposed me to a wide variety of industries and working environments.
When did you first begin questioning whether engineering was the right career for you?
That realisation came much later than most people would expect. Although I had been introduced to tattooing during college, I never considered it as a career because I was already committed to engineering. It was only during my second job that things started changing. The constant travel, demanding workload and recurring health issues made me realise that the lifestyle wasn’t sustainable. I found myself stuck in a cycle of travelling, falling sick, recovering and repeating the same routine. Before I knew what I wanted to do next, I knew I couldn’t continue doing what I was doing.
“I realised the cycle wasn’t sustainable anymore. Before I knew what I wanted to do next, I knew I couldn’t continue doing what I was doing.”
Once you realised engineering wasn’t sustainable for you, how did tattooing become the obvious next step?
When I decided to leave engineering, I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do next. I only knew that I couldn’t continue in the same cycle of constant travel, exhaustion and falling sick. Like many engineers, I briefly considered moving into IT because it seemed like the natural progression, but deep down I knew that wasn’t what I wanted. Around that time, I was staying with a friend who had first introduced me to tattooing during college. He reminded me that I had always been good at art and suggested I explore it seriously. That conversation made me revisit something I had always enjoyed but never considered as a career. Looking back, tattooing didn’t suddenly become the obvious choice – it presented itself at the right moment, when I was finally willing to listen to what had always interested me. It felt like a natural way to combine my creativity with the discipline and precision I had developed as an engineer.
“Tattooing didn’t become the obvious choice overnight – it revealed itself once I gave myself permission to explore what I truly enjoyed.”
What were the toughest challenges you faced when you decided to switch careers?
The biggest challenge was financial uncertainty. I was leaving behind a stable, well-paying engineering job to enter a profession where I knew I wouldn’t earn anything for quite some time. I had to rely on my savings while learning a completely new craft. There was also emotional pressure. I come from a fairly orthodox middle-class family, so a decision like this wasn’t easy for them to accept. Initially, my family and even my wife struggled to understand why I would leave engineering. Eventually, they supported me, but I knew this was something I had to do for myself. I realised that if I continued in a career that made me unhappy, I wouldn’t be able to give my best to the people I cared about either.
“Sometimes the hardest decision isn’t changing careers – it’s choosing your own happiness over everyone else’s expectations.”
What were the biggest adjustments when moving from engineering to tattooing?
The biggest adjustment was shifting from a structured corporate environment to a profession driven by individual creativity. Engineering had trained me to think logically and systematically, whereas tattooing requires a completely different mindset. Being surrounded by highly talented artists was initially intimidating, and there were moments when I questioned whether I was good enough. I also realised that after years in engineering, I had become disconnected from my creative side. Rebuilding that creativity took time. I kept reminding myself that everyone’s journey is different, and the only way to improve was to keep practising and learning.
Did you adopt any habits that helped you through the transition?
My engineering background actually became one of my biggest strengths. Before I committed to tattooing, I researched everything I possibly could. I studied tattoo styles, equipment, inks, needles, hygiene practices and design principles using every free resource I could find online and offline. By the time I approached potential mentors, I already understood the basics and could have informed conversations. That preparation gave me confidence and showed my mentors that I was serious about learning.
“Before changing careers, I researched everything I could. Preparation gave me confidence before I ever picked up a tattoo machine.”
What does it really take to become a tattoo artist?
Most people think tattooing is only about drawing, but there’s much more to it. Hygiene is the foundation of the profession because you’re working directly on someone’s skin. Every surface, tool and piece of equipment has to be cleaned, protected and sanitised before and after every client. Beyond that, you need to understand that good artwork on paper doesn’t automatically become a good tattoo. Skin behaves differently from canvas. Every person’s skin tone, texture and anatomy are different, so every design needs to be adapted accordingly. Learning these nuances takes years of observation, practice and guidance from experienced artists.
“A beautiful drawing doesn’t automatically become a beautiful tattoo. Skin has its own rules.”
For someone torn between a secure technical career and a creative passion, what practical advice would you give?
The first step is being honest with yourself about what you truly want. Once you have that clarity, don’t rush into quitting your job. Start with small steps. Research the field thoroughly and make sure you’re learning from credible sources. If you’re interested in tattooing, start drawing every single day. Improving your artistic skills costs very little but builds an incredibly strong foundation. Use your free time to practise, experiment and create. Every experienced tattoo artist will tell you the same thing – draw, draw and keep drawing.
Are there any books or quotes that have inspired your journey?
Two books have stayed with me throughout my journey. Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls showed me how resilience and determination can help you overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Andre Agassi’s autobiography Open reminded me that even the people we admire the most struggle with doubt, failure and imperfection. One quote that has always stayed with me comes from the song Remember the Name: “This is 10% luck, 20% skill… 50% pain… and 100% reason to remember the name.” It perfectly captures the reality of pursuing a meaningful career. There will always be pain, uncertainty and setbacks, but if you stay committed, the journey becomes worthwhile.
“There will be luck, there will be pain, there will be pleasure – but in the end, it’s all worth it.”
Key Learnings
Follow the signs that keep showing up
Sometimes your true interests stay with you for years. Paying attention to those recurring passions can help guide important career decisions.
Practical learning complements formal education
Degrees provide strong foundations, but hands-on experience and specialised training often make the biggest difference in preparing for real-world careers.
Career change requires preparation, not impulse
Researching a new profession, building relevant skills and understanding its realities before making the leap can significantly improve your chances of success.
Comparison slows progress
Entering a new field can feel intimidating, especially when surrounded by experienced professionals. Focus on your own growth instead of comparing your beginning to someone else’s years of experience.
Creativity is a skill that can be developed
Whether it’s tattooing or another creative profession, consistent practice and a willingness to learn matter more than waiting to feel naturally talented.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear
Leaving a secure career often involves financial uncertainty, family expectations and self-doubt. Taking thoughtful action despite those challenges is what ultimately creates meaningful change.
Conclusion
Sahil Purswani’s story is a powerful reminder that career success isn’t measured solely by stability or titles – it’s measured by finding work that aligns with who you are. His transition from instrumentation engineering to tattoo artistry wasn’t driven by impulse, but by years of self-reflection, careful preparation and the courage to pursue a lifelong passion. While the path came with financial challenges, family expectations and the uncertainty of starting over, it also gave him something far more valuable: a renewed sense of purpose. For anyone contemplating a career change, Sahil’s journey demonstrates that with honest self-awareness, continuous learning and perseverance, it’s possible to build a career that is both professionally fulfilling and personally meaningful.
Sahil Purswani is an apprentice tattoo artist based in Kalyan, Mumbai. Before entering the world of tattooing, he spent eight years in the instrumentation engineering industry, working with leading pharmaceutical companies, research institutes and manufacturing clients across India. A graduate in Instrumentation Engineering, Sahil managed large-scale industrial projects before making the bold decision to pursue art professionally. Today, he combines technical precision with creativity as he builds his career in tattoo artistry.
