Learning How to Pivot

Pivoting can feel like failure. It can feel like quitting, like starting over, like admitting you got it wrong. In this solo episode, Kelly unpacks what it really means to pivot and why it’s often the most aligned and courageous move you can make in your career. From changing majors at University of Notre Dame, to earning her MBA, to shifting from advertising into brand marketing at Frito-Lay, to founding Career Slay, Kelly shares the defining pivots that shaped her professional path. If you’re standing at a crossroads wondering whether you’re quitting or evolving, this episode is your reminder: Pivoting is not failure. It’s getting back into alignment. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to recognize when something in your career is out of alignment Why gathering real-world data points reduces fear How curiosity accelerates professional growth The truth about self-limiting beliefs Why you’re never actually starting from zero How to test a pivot through micro-experiments Why minimizing regret is a better compass than avoiding risk Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:23 – Why pivoting feels uncomfortable 01:15 – My first pivot: Leaving architecture 02:45 – Recognizing misalignment 03:30 – Gathering data points 04:40 – Switching majors and entering marketing 05:04 – Stretching beyond your comfort zone 06:10 – MBA challenges and confidence growth 06:45 – Pivot into brand marketing at Frito-Lay 07:20 – The biggest pivot: Founding Career Slay 08:15 – You’re not starting from zero 09:20 – Micro-experiments and testing your pivot 09:53 – The regret minimization framework 10:45 – Final encouragement Quotes Worth Repeating “Pivoting is not failure. Pivoting is getting back into alignment.” “You are not behind. You are not flaky. You are responding to growth.” “You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from experience.” Resources Mentioned Jeff Bezos – The Regret Minimization Framework Topics Discussed career pivots, professional growth, leadership development, entrepreneurship, transferable skills, self-limiting beliefs, MBA journey, brand marketing, alignment, personal reinvention, minimizing regret, Career Slay Podcast Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly: Website: careerslay.com LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke Instagram: @careerslay