Marcia's Leadership Q and As: How to Pivot Your Career
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Q. People are entering or re-entering the workforce, changing careers, or retiring. Whatever the shift, how can we best adapt?
A. Life is a series of transitions—some planned, others unexpected. One of the most pivotal is the move from education into a career. For students, the shift can be thrilling but daunting. The challenges to create an effective resume and LinkedIn profile, to navigate job boards/fairs, to secure appointments for interviews, interview and follow-up, to negotiate for a position and salary, are all foreign territory in a career search. How are students learning to successfully navigate these new tasks? Many flounder and waste time. Eventually they discover what works and what doesn’t. Or they “luck out” and find a job. Some are fortunate to have professors, a mentor, classes, or parents who teach and guide them.
The early career pivot after years of structured learning sets the tone for personal growth, skill-building, fitting into a culture and contributing, and growing some financial independence. Yet career pivots don’t stop at that first job. They often accelerate as people explore new interests, confront layoffs, respond to economic shifts, or seek more meaningful work. Professionals may transition from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, or from high-pressure positions to mission- driven nonprofits. Today, career agility is not just an asset—it’s essential.
Eventually, every career reaches another crossroads: retirement. This transition is both an ending and a beginning. For some people it’s an abrupt halt. For others the pivot is one they prepare for, for a year or two. Leaders especially ask two significant questions. The first is, “What is my legacy I want to leave?” The other is, “What’s my plan for my next phase of my life, whether it be retirement or an encore career of “giving back?”
For many, retirement is no longer a complete withdrawal but a pivot toward purpose. Some become mentors, volunteers, authors, or part-time consultants. Others travel, pursue hobbies, or contribute to causes they care about. Regardless of the path, retirement today is as much about reinvention as it is about rest, fun, and freedom.
What unites these life phases, starting out, changing direction, and planning for retirement, is the opportunity to leave a legacy. Whether it’s the students you’ve mentored, the company you helped grow, the ideas you championed, or the values you embodied, your impact extends far beyond your title.
Each pivot in life invites reflection and bold action. It’s not about having one perfect plan. it’s about evolving with purpose. Students, professionals, and retirees alike can embrace change as a platform for growth and legacy. Life doesn’t move in a straight line. It’s non-linear, and that’s what makes every pivot so powerful.
When transitioning from one phase of life to another, it’s wise to seek a coach to help you navigate through the preferences and opportunities. An insightful coach will present ask questions and present possibilities. An effective transition coach will present “what if scenarios” so the depth and breadth of your thinking can be fuller and more reflective.
