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KANobody really talks about this, but career rules have changed.
A polished resume and a degree still matter — just not nearly enough anymore.
And if you want to change careers, most advice makes it sound like you have to start from zero.
You don’t.
I’ve changed careers 5 times in 7 years and made more money each time — not less.
finance → private equity → shareholder activism → crisis management → public relations
(trading and consulting too, but I prefer to forget that part 😅)
These are the career rules I wish I knew at 21:
1. Your degree matters less than how you position your skills.
2. Changing careers doesn’t mean starting from the bottom — it means reframing what you already know.
3. People hire people, not resumes. Build relationships before you need something.
4. Your career is a story — learn to control the narrative. Don’t let others define you.
5. Relationships create leverage. Applications don’t.
6. Most jobs are learned on the job. You already have experience — just in a different industry. The fundamentals of how companies run are the same.
7. Changing paths doesn’t mean you failed. It means you outgrew.
8. People who judge you aren’t building anything.
9. Starting over is easier than staying stuck.
10. Career paths are built sideways, not vertically.
11. Your mindset travels with you more than your job title does.
12. If you can solve problems, you can change industries.
13. Stability is a story society sells you. Growth is what actually protects you.
14. Rejection is information, not a verdict.
15. You’re not late — you’re just early in a different direction.
Some narratives just need updating 🙌
👉 Thinking about changing industries?
Comment what you want to move into and I’ll share how I’d approach it.
Follow @karinabarton_ for more.
@karinabarton_
