How to Change Your Career Path

Career paths today look very different than they did a generation ago. Gone are the days of staying in one role, one company, or even one industry for decades. Instead, most professionals experience twists and turns, fueled by growth, new interests, and market shifts.

This is where the power of the career pivot comes in. Pivoting doesn’t mean failure—it means growth. It’s about choosing courage over comfort and realigning your career with who you are becoming, not who you were.

Why Pivoting Matters

A pivot allows you to:
• Expand your skills: Apply what you know in fresh ways.
• Find fulfillment: Align your work with your evolving values.
• Stay relevant: Adapt as industries and technologies change.

Think of pivoting like updating your phone’s operating system. You’re still the same person—but the update makes you sharper, faster, and better equipped for today’s world.

Three Keys to Pivoting Successfully

If you’re considering a pivot, keep this framework in mind: Leverage, Network, Experiment.

1. Leverage Your Transferable Skills

Most people focus on what they don’t have when changing careers—degrees, titles, years of experience. Instead, focus on the skills you already bring to the table.

Examples:

• A teacher moving into corporate training already knows how to design learning experiences and engage audiences.
• A sales professional shifting into project management can highlight negotiation, communication, and deadline management.

✨ Tip: Translate your experience into the language of the new role. “Managing a classroom” becomes “Facilitating training for groups of 25+.”

2. Network with Intention

Networking is less about asking for jobs and more about learning. Build connections to understand the world you want to enter.

Examples:

• Curious about tech but working in finance? Set up coffee chats with product managers or analysts.
• Interested in HR? Join groups like SHRM or LinkedIn communities, and show up at events.
• One professional I worked with pivoted into sustainability by attending local environmental networking events—eventually landing a role through a referral.

✨ Tip: Lead with curiosity. Ask, “What challenges do you face in your role?” instead of “Do you know of any openings?”

3. Experiment Before You Leap

You don’t need to resign tomorrow to try something new. Small experiments build clarity and credibility.

Examples:

• Join a cross-department project to test new skills.
• Volunteer for committees like employee engagement or diversity councils.
• Take on freelance or nonprofit projects to build a portfolio.

✨ Tip: Collect these experiences as case studies. They become powerful stories when explaining why you’re pivoting.

The Mindset of Pivoting

Here’s the hard truth: pivoting will bring fear. Imposter syndrome will whisper, “You’re not ready.” But you are not starting from scratch—you’re starting from experience.

Every pivot adds depth to your expertise. Failure isn’t the end—it’s feedback. Just like Serena Williams pivoting into business or Oprah expanding into media, your past doesn’t disappear—it builds your foundation.

💡 Mantra: I am not starting from scratch. I am starting from strength.

Closing Thoughts

Pivoting isn’t a detour—it’s a path to growth. If you’re considering a change, start small:
• Write down one transferable skill.
• Reach out to one person in your desired field.
• Try one low-risk experiment.

Remember: your career is not a straight line—it’s a journey. And every pivot moves you closer to the life and work you truly want.