The Courage to Pivot: Why Changing Paths Is Often the Smartest Post-Grad Career Move

The Myth of the “Perfect” Path 

You know the story: pick a major. Get the dream job. Check the boxes. Stay on a straight line. But real life? It rarely works that way.

Carrie Taylor, M.A. started out pre-med. Yep — MCAT, biology major, full-speed ahead toward medical school. And then… something felt off.

One afternoon, she walked past the University of Michigan Athletics department and realized: “Medical school is NOT for me, soccer is.” 

That moment changed everything.

TL;DR — The Big Picture 🧠✨

Carrie Taylor’s career proves there is no such thing as a “perfect” path — only an aligned one.

She started pre-med but paid attention when her excitement, energy, and strengths kept pulling her toward soccer, leadership, and program-building. By listening to those signals and giving herself permission to pivot, Carrie built a 25+ year career in professional sports, eventually becoming a VP of Operations in pro soccer.

The takeaway: Your major doesn’t define your future. The clues to your career are often hiding in what lights you up long before you ever get paid for it.

How to Recognize When You’re Misaligned

👉 Misalignment usually shows up before you have the words.

1. You’re doing well on paper… but you feel a little numb inside. 
2. You’re checking the boxes… but you’re not genuinely excited when someone asks, “So what are you majoring in?” or "What are your career plans?"
3. You’re successful… but you’re not thriving.

👉 You might be living someone else’s expectations.

• Carrie loved soccer. Loved coaching. Loved building programs. 
• The “smart and safe” path told her that medicine was the prestigious route. So she tried to force it.

👉 You feel pulled toward something that doesn’t make ‘logical’ sense.

Carrie told herself, “I want to pursue a soccer career.” That sentence shook everything. And it was the truth.

The Clue Was There All Along: What Lit Her Up in College

Here’s the part of her story I love because it’s so relatable for students trying to make sense of the signals:. While she was grinding through biology labs, Carrie was also:

• Captain of the University of Michigan Women’s Club Soccer Team 
• The person organizing everything — travel, fundraising, equipment, coaching 
• The student who refused to accept “no” as an answer 
• The leader pushing for women’s soccer to be elevated to NCAA Division I status

And here’s the goosebumps part: She helped to champion the transition from club to D1 and became part of the FIRST Varsity Women’s Soccer Team in Michigan history.

She wasn’t just playing soccer. She was building soccer. Looking back, it’s obvious: 

• These were the activities that lit her up. 
• These were the hours when she felt most alive. 
• These were the things she did naturally — before she ever got paid to do them.

And everything she learned running that club team? Coordinating travel. Managing personalities. Leading a group. Problem-solving under pressure. Organizing chaos into order.

She uses ALL of those skills today as a VP of Operations in professional soccer at USL Spokane. Sometimes the clues about your future aren’t in your major at all. They’re in the things you can’t not do.

Why “Quitting” Is Actually Self-Alignment

Let’s flip the narrative: You’re not quitting a path. You’re choosing a path that fits you. Carrie didn’t give up on her med-school dreams — she chose a bigger purpose.

Her new path included: 

• Coaching at the college level 
• Building never-before-seen programs 
• Serving as an assistant coach for a men’s professional team 🌟 Carrie became the FIRST WOMAN to coach in the men’s professional USL Championship with San Diego Loyal SC. 
•  Becoming VP of Operations in pro sports. 

Talk about a pivot that paid off.

✨ Quick PSA:

If your major or career path feels a little… off, you’re not alone.

👉 Take the getCAREERcurious Career Assessment to explore paths that actually match your strengths, interests, and the way you’re wired. It's a fun and low-pressure way to explore different career paths! 

But What About the Fear of Disappointing Others?

Oh, the pressure. The “What will my family say?” “What about my friends?” “Can I make a living doing this?” Carrie gets it.

Her dad: “Is this really a viable career path?” 

But when you bet on your own potential, people eventually see what you saw all along.

Here’s the truth:

• Someone who loves you will always want you safe.
• But you know the safe that feels like a cage.
• Taking the leap might scare them. But staying stuck will scare you more.

Real-Life Proof That Pivots Pay Off

Example 1: One small pivot → 25+ year career in sports.

That “detour”? Became the main road leading from club coaching to pro operations on a national stage.

Example 2: Accumulating skills you didn’t start out to collect.

Coaching. Operations. Real-estate licensure. Leadership. 

Turns out: being versatile = being irreplaceable.

Example 3: Real impact, real relationships.

Former players stop her years later — in coffee shops, airports, stadiums — to say she changed their lives. That’s alignment.

If You’re Considering a Pivot, Here’s Your Permission Slip

• You don’t need a full-fledged crisis. You just need a whisper of doubt. 
• Your major doesn’t lock you into a life sentence. 
• Trying something new doesn’t make you unreliable. It makes you curious. 
• You’re allowed to evolve. Your career goals can and will evolve. 

Your Takeaway 

If you’re standing at a crossroads — curious, restless, or realizing your major or post-graduate plans don’t feel quite right — consider this your nudge.

You get to shape your next chapter. 

You’re allowed to take a post-grad adventure, try something unexpected, or take a detour that leads you somewhere better. And sometimes the bravest move isn’t pushing harder…it’s choosing the path that finally feels like you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it normal to feel unsure about your major or career path?

Yes. Feeling uncertain or misaligned is incredibly common, especially in college and early career stages. It’s often a signal—not a failure—that something needs adjusting.

Does changing your career path mean you failed?

No. Pivoting is often a sign of growth and self-awareness. Many successful careers are built through experimentation, detours, and evolving interests.

How do you know when it’s time to pivot?

Common signs include feeling disengaged, unmotivated, or disconnected from your work—even if things look “good on paper.” Paying attention to what energizes you is key.

Can you build a successful career outside your original major?

Absolutely. Carrie Taylor’s career shows that skills gained through leadership, extracurriculars, and lived experience often matter more than your original major.

What should I do if I’m afraid of disappointing my family?

Fear of disappointing others is normal. But staying on a path that doesn’t fit you can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. Over time, results—and your fulfillment—tend to speak for themselves.

Let’s keep this going

Loved Carrie’s story? Want more? 

• 👉 Subscribe to the Get Career Curious newsletter 
• 👉 Listen to this full episode featuring Carrie Taylor
• 👉 Share this with a friend who’s right on the edge of a pivot
• 👉 Register for our FREE career coaching webinar on Monday, December 8th! All registrants will be entered for a free 1:1 coaching session!
• Because your next chapter could be the start of your favorite one yet.