There is a common misconception that individuals who choose to change their career path lack focus or direction. Too often, the spotlight is placed solely on their need to learn new skills or building fresh networks, while the real value they bring is overlooked.

 What’s often missed is,

• The depth of wisdom gained from diverse experiences
• Their adaptability and ability to unlearn and relearn
• The fresh energy and a renewed sense of purpose they bring into their new roles

I’ve observed the career journeys of friends, colleagues, and public figures who have made bold moves to redefine conventional norms. Their stories are not only inspiring but also reflect resilience and vision.

Some notable examples:

• Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder, left a lucrative Wall Street career in computer science inspired by the emerging internet boom of the 1990s he saw an opportunity to innovate and reshape the future of commerce.
• Steve Jobs, in his famous 2005 Stanford commencement speech, recalled that just after one semester he dropped out of college. However, he took an interest in a calligraphy course in college ( One might wonder what has calligraphy got to do with software)— this skill came in use when Mac was built with multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts.
• Julie Spellman Sweet, formerly a practicing attorney, went on to become CEO of a tech firm Accenture. In one of her interviews, she highlights that every time she makes a choice it is always about re-inventing herself.

I’ve collaborated with ex-servicemen/ Veterans who served their respective countries successfully and took on complex corporate roles, bringing with them deep experience in real-time decision-making and strategic thinking.

In the early 2000s, the telecom industry was disrupted, leaving many professionals, driven by uncertainty, to pivot into the IT and automotive sectors. I had the opportunity to work with some of these individuals—brilliant minds who brought passion, vision, and a hunger to innovate during a time of transition.

These examples make one thing clear: that career change is often not just a necessity but a gateway to creativity, growth, and relevance. What ties these individuals together is their ability to creatively solve complex problems and their desire to live a life aligned with their principles, core values, and sense of purpose—whether it’s empowering the next generation, challenging the status quo, or creating meaningful change.