Five Lessons on Career Pivots

When I was in college, I thought I had my career perfectly mapped out. International Relations major / Psychology minor → Grad school in Foreign Service → Diplomat for life. Done and done, right?

Fast forward: I spent years chasing global development dreams, pivoted into management consulting, got my MBA, then shifted to tech before launching my coaching business.
In my early twenties, all these twists + turns would’ve worried me. Now I realize I was never actually off track. I was just building skills, stories, and perspectives. In hindsight (which tends to be a lot kinder to us than we are to ourselves), I realize I should’ve worried less and trusted the process more.

If you’re thinking about a career pivot, here are just a few lessons I've picked up along the way that I share with those navigating similar crossroads:
1️⃣ Your skills are more transferable than you think. It’s all about connecting the dots and telling the right story.
2️⃣ A pivot isn’t a complete reinvention—it’s a shift. Change feels big, but often it’s just a reallocation of our energy and focus.
3️⃣ Diverse experiences (lived and professional) are a strength. Crossing sectors or industries? You’re bringing fresh perspective, and that’s invaluable!
4️⃣ Being a generalist is okay; in fact, it's a mini superpower. Flexibility, breadth, and curiosity open a lot of doors. Side note: The book Range is a great read for anyone wrestling with the pressure to specialize, either personally or as a parent: https://lnkd.in/gGn6tC-S.
5️⃣ We’re always evolving. Even if you stay put, you're constantly adapting, which means you’re already better at pivoting than you realize.

What does this all mean? Sometimes the pivot is the point. And, if you start with where you are and what you know, the rest will follow.