I left Google and spent a year traveling. 6 months on a Thai island led me to a career I never expected.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A woman painting on an island in Thailand.
Sara Wilczynska took a yearlong career break and discovered watercolor while traveling in Thailand, setting her on the path to a new career.

Provided by Sara Wilczynska

I joined the CIA in my 20s, Google in my 30s, and became an entrepreneur in my 40s. My mantra? 'Sure, I'll try it.'

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Candice Bryant
Candice Bryant says her career has been shaped by a willingness to say, "Sure, I'll try it."

Candice Bryant

I'm a CEO who once spent 3 years in federal prison. Here's what I learned about bouncing back.

Tech Insider : Business
T. Renee Smith wears a suit and sits at her desk
T. Renee Smith is the CEO of iSuccess Consulting, a Georgia-based AI consultancy company.

Courtesy of T. Renee Smith

I moved to Colorado and became a ski instructor after a layoff from my senior VP job. The pay cut is worth the peace.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Douglas Craig outside with mountains and trees in the background
Douglas Craig moved to Colorado and is working at an aerial adventure park this summer.

Douglas Craig

I never planned to leave New York City, but moving back to my Florida hometown helped me pursue my dream career

Tech Insider : Business
The writer, her husband, and her two kids in matching red shirts.
Florida has been great for our growing family, and living here has also given me the flexibility and opportunity to pursue my dream job in publishing.

Lauren Khan

I quit my job and started over as an unpaid intern at 31. I was the oldest person in the room, but it led to my dream job.

Tech Insider : Business
Jackie Garcia-Morales golding a book and reading it in front of her bookcase
The author pivoted her career by taking an unpaid internship in her 30s.

Courtesy of Jackie Garcia-Morales

When I was laid off from Meta 4 years ago, I didn't know what would come next. But then I pivoted to my dream career.

Tech Insider : Business
Tom Gilmartin in front of the facebook sign
The author was laid off from Meta.

Courtesy of Tom Gilmartin

4 people who pivoted into AI jobs — and how they did it

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Person typing on screen
Four workers told Business Insider how they transitioned into AI roles.

Nico De Pasquale Photography/Getty Images

I quit fast-paced journalism to care for my sick mom. My experience in both led me to become a celebrant at funerals.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman in a green-and-blue patterned dress holding a brown folder.
Journalist Mandy Appleyard, who worked in the UK, the US, and Asia, became a caretaker for her sick mom. She later switched careers to preside at funerals.

Courtesy of Mandy Appleyard

A talent CEO says data centers are a 'massive opportunity' for office workers to pivot mid-career

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Carrie Charles Broadstaff
Carrie Charles is the CEO of Broadstaff, a recruiting and staffing agency.

Carrie Charles

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