The Art of The Pivot

One of my favorite questions to ask people is simple: Why did you choose your job or profession?

I love hearing the answers. Some talk about childhood dreams. Others mention a parent or teacher who influenced their path. Many recall great mentors or friendships that led them where they are today.

When people ask me the same question, my answer is different. I didn’t choose insurance, I kinda just stumbled into it. I didn’t grow up dreaming of policy forms or risk management. As a kid, I wanted to be an artist. I didn’t know anyone who worked in the field. Honestly, I didn’t even understand what insurance was until I was an adult. Where I grew up, the only career path I was given was teaching, so after I finished high school, that’s what I did.

Teaching elementary school can be deeply rewarding, but by 2018 I found myself at a crossroads. I needed a change and didn’t know where to start. The options felt endless and out of reach. So, like many people unsure of their next step, I took an online career test. It told me I’d make a great psychologist. That sounded interesting, so I enrolled in school with that goal in mind. But I still needed a job to pay the bills. A friend of a friend knew of an entry-level opening at a small, family-run insurance agency nearby. I applied, thinking it would be a temporary stop.

I told the agency owner exactly that. She laughed and said, “Everyone says that. Then they see how great this industry is and end up staying. Plus, insurance is recession-proof. You can’t beat that.” She was right.

As time passed, I found myself less focused on psychology and more intrigued by insurance. I pursued the CPCU designation to deepen my understanding. I realized that many of the skills I had developed as a teacher transferred easily into this new space. I began training new hires. I started building relationships. I grew into the work.

What surprised me most was how versatile the insurance industry is. Everyone needs it, which creates space for people from all kinds of backgrounds to thrive. It’s a field where transferable skills truly matter.

Take teaching, for example. A strong teacher relies on communication, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, organization, patience, and the ability to explain complex topics in simple ways. Every one of those skills is just as vital in insurance.

Service roles like Account Manager, Customer Service Representative, and Account Technician require empathy, clarity, and a strong understanding of people. On the sales side, technical knowledge matters, but so does listening and building trust. Across the board, teams rely on collaboration and shared problem-solving. Whether you’re handling claims, underwriting policies, managing staff, or speaking with clients, the work revolves around solving problems and supporting people.

Like any field, insurance has its challenges. It’s not perfect, and there’s plenty of room for growth and innovation. But it also offers tremendous opportunity for those looking to pivot into a new career.

If you come from banking, finance, or sales, insurance is already in your neighborhood. Customer service reps, IT professionals, marketers, and software developers can transition in with ease. Even careers that seem worlds apart, like aviation, scenic design, or driving a cab, build soft skills that are incredibly valuable in this field.

There’s a lot of chatter these days about artificial intelligence and automation. Every other news story is about which jobs are going to disappear. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re thinking about switching careers. 

Here’s the truth: automation is coming to every industry, including insurance. The good news is that many companies are not trying to replace humans. Instead, they’re using AI tools to make processes smoother and more efficient, while keeping “humans in the loop.”

When you’re applying for roles, don’t be afraid to ask prospective employers about their long-term vision. How are they planning to use AI? How do they plan to support human workers during the transition? Most hiring managers will be happy to share how they’re preparing for the future, and how they’re investing in people, not just platforms.

Your soft skills are valuable. The ability to pivot, to learn, to adapt, to transfer your experience, is powerful. Yes, the job market is shifting, but people with real-world communication, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills are still essential. The ability to be adaptable is a skill, and in a fast-changing world, it might be one of the most important ones you can have.

Insurance isn’t glamorous, and it might not have been your childhood dream. Insurance, however, is stable, rewarding, and surprisingly human. In a world of uncertainty, it might just be the opportunity you didn’t know you were looking for.