{"id":87381,"date":"2025-08-03T07:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T12:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/?p=87381"},"modified":"2025-08-06T08:08:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T13:08:17","slug":"pivot-into-a-second-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/pivot-into-a-second-career\/","title":{"rendered":"Hit a Home Run with a Second Career"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Ken Griffey Jr., 13-time MLB All-Star, retired from the baseball diamond and hit a home run with his second career: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/04\/22\/sports\/baseball\/ken-griffey-jr-photographer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">photography<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After playing 22 seasons\u2014with teams including the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox\u2014Griffey began photographing professionally, covering Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the NFL, Indy Car and perhaps most notably, the 2025 Masters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 55-year-old baseball legend transformed a hobby into a rewarding \u201csecond act,\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/making-a-successful-midlife-career-change\/\">career change<\/a> consultant <a href=\"https:\/\/josephliu.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Joseph Liu<\/a> says you can, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/boostyourincome.success.com\/financial-freedom\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Boost_Income_CTA_r1@2x.png\" alt=\"Boost Your Income for Life offer\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-change-careers\">Do you have what it takes to change careers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Liu, who hosts the <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/career-relaunch\/id1150581210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Career Relaunch<\/em><\/a> podcast, says Griffey is a good example of showing how someone can marry their past profession with their current interest. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOn the surface, playing baseball and taking photos may seem completely unrelated\u2026\u201d he says. \u201c[But] part of photography is about anticipating and deciding what image you&#8217;re trying to capture, so in this case, his sports instincts can actually help improve his photography. It just shows how your profession may evolve as your life evolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Liu has interviewed more than 100 people who changed course mid-career to pursue a new interest. Whether they were an Army sniper turned children\u2019s magician or an investment banker who became a couple\u2019s counselor, they generally share three characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clarity: \u201cThey take time to get clear on what matters to them, what they feel is missing [and] what they want to have more of,\u201d he says. \u201cEven if these people don\u2019t know exactly what their second act is going to be, they can define the characteristics of [it],\u201d whether that be flexibility, more autonomy or more meaning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidence: \u201cThey amass both the internal confidence to know they\u2019re doing the right thing and also outward confidence to project that to others,\u201d he says. This confidence originates from \u201c[defining] their values and [making] decisions that serve those values,\u201d he explains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courage: \u201cIt often takes a bit of a leap of faith to step off the beaten path and follow a nontraditional career, so having that bravery to follow your instincts, to trust yourself is critical,\u201d he says. \u201cWithout courage, the changes tend to be too small or too incremental to make a really major difference in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-starting-a-second-career\">Starting a second career<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing it can be difficult to make that leap, Liu recommends starting with microactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDip your toe in with no excess pressure\u2026 [that] you\u2019re going to start making money right away,\u201d he says. Start small by taking an evening course or buying that piece of equipment that allows you to explore that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/how-to-make-time-for-hobbies\/\">hobby<\/a> of yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTest it out. See how it goes. See how it sits with you\u2026 how much you enjoy it [and] how much traction you gain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Griffey first picked up photography so he could attend his kids\u2019 sporting events and not be a distraction. His presence at youth games caused a buzz, as he was still an active baseball player.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI figured, nobody\u2019s messing with the photographer. Let me pick it up; let me try it,\u201d he said in an interview on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SX5kKTNM24Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Mornings @ The Masters<\/a>. \u201cI got a couple photographer friends who sent me a couple of cameras and lenses and said, \u2018Here you go.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although at that time Griffey likely wasn\u2019t considering photography as a second career, his actions introduced him to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/the-benefits-of-being-a-generalist\/\">new skill<\/a>, and Liu says talking to people who are currently \u201cdoing the things you want to do\u201d is an important step. It\u2019s easy to overanalyze a situation and make assumptions, but a conversation with someone who\u2019s already working in that space can be encouraging and a shortcut to the information you need to make the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe final [step]&#8230; is to err on the side of action,\u201d Liu says. \u201cActions are what open up opportunities\u2026 [Don\u2019t] feel like you\u2019ve got to make the perfect move into this new sector, but broadly move yourself toward the direction that you think might be promising.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-should-you-pursue-this-professionally-nbsp-nbsp\">Should you pursue this professionally?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning a new skill or picking up a post-retirement hobby doesn\u2019t automatically mean it should be a second career. In fact, Liu cautions people against making that assumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust because you enjoy doing something on the side doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to still enjoy it if you\u2019re doing it professionally, especially if your livelihood depends on it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Liu says asking yourself the following questions is a way to overlay practical considerations on a genuine interest or hobby.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How energized do I feel by this?<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s important, if you\u2019re going to pursue a second career, that it really energizes you because it takes a lot of effort to branch off and do something different,\u201d he says.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Does a market exist for this? <\/strong>This is a practical, yet necessary question, which Liu says should be followed up by:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do I have a way of reaching that market?<\/strong> <strong>Can I access the customer base or reach the people I want to work with?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Can I make enough money doing this?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do I have the skills and credentials to be credible in this space? <\/strong>If not, can I gain those skills and credentials?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to proceed, Liu says do not dismiss your previous experience and assume it\u2019s irrelevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of imposter syndrome when people change careers, and they think \u2018I didn\u2019t come from this background, [so] I don\u2019t have a right to play in this new space,\u2019\u201d he says. \u201c[But that\u2019s] not useful. If you can embrace it and see it as a differentiator, that can actually help you sell a unique story to people that separates you from traditional applicants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-should-you-pursue-a-second-career-in-retirement\">Should you pursue a second career in retirement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the promise of a second career can be exciting, Liu says it\u2019s not for everyone and no one should feel compelled to continue working, if they\u2019re able and want to retire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019re at the point of retirement and you feel like it\u2019s time for you to just kick back and relax, I feel like the choice is yours,\u201d he says. \u201cNo one should feel pressured to necessarily have a second act or encore career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt goes back to the idea that everyone\u2019s career path and career journey is quite unique.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe the joy of making homemade bread is in sharing it with friends and family, but perhaps your memoir would resonate with readers around the world. The choice to pursue a second career or turn a hobby into a money-making venture is a decision specific to you and your circumstances. Whatever you decide, being intentional is key, according to Liu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThinking your career is going to just naturally evolve on its own and that one day this is just going to work out\u2026\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s just not what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photo by Ground Picture\/Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ken Griffey Jr., a 13-time MLB All-Star, transformed his passion for photography into a rewarding second act after retiring from baseball. Career change consultant Joseph Liu shares insights on how anyone can successfully pivot careers, emphasizing the importance of clarity, confidence, and courage. Whether you&#8217;re considering a new hobby or a complete career shift, Liu offers practical advice on taking the leap. Discover how to turn your interests into a fulfilling second career and the key questions to ask yourself before making the transition. Ready to explore your potential?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96392,"featured_media":87382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-development"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Second-Career.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Kristen Tribe","author_link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/author\/kristen-tribe\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.1 (Yoast SEO v25.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Successfully Pivot into a Second Career | SUCCESS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ken Griffey Jr. successfully transitioned from baseball star to professional photographer. 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It just shows how your profession may evolve as your life evolves.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Liu has interviewed more than 100 people who changed course mid-career to pursue a new interest. Whether they were an Army sniper turned children\u2019s magician or an investment banker who became a couple\u2019s counselor, they generally share three characteristics:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Clarity: \u201cThey take time to get clear on what matters to them, what they feel is missing [and] what they want to have more of,\u201d he says. \u201cEven if these people don\u2019t know exactly what their second act is going to be, they can define the characteristics of [it],\u201d whether that be flexibility, more autonomy or more meaning.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Confidence: \u201cThey amass both the internal confidence to know they\u2019re doing the right thing and also outward confidence to project that to others,\u201d he says. This confidence originates from \u201c[defining] their values and [making] decisions that serve those values,\u201d he explains.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Courage: \u201cIt often takes a bit of a leap of faith to step off the beaten path and follow a nontraditional career, so having that bravery to follow your instincts, to trust yourself is critical,\u201d he says. \u201cWithout courage, the changes tend to be too small or too incremental to make a really major difference in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-starting-a-second-career\">Starting a second career<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Knowing it can be difficult to make that leap, Liu recommends starting with microactions.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cDip your toe in with no excess pressure\u2026 [that] you\u2019re going to start making money right away,\u201d he says. Start small by taking an evening course or buying that piece of equipment that allows you to explore that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/how-to-make-time-for-hobbies\/\">hobby<\/a> of yours.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cTest it out. See how it goes. See how it sits with you\u2026 how much you enjoy it [and] how much traction you gain.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Griffey first picked up photography so he could attend his kids\u2019 sporting events and not be a distraction. His presence at youth games caused a buzz, as he was still an active baseball player.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI figured, nobody\u2019s messing with the photographer. Let me pick it up; let me try it,\u201d he said in an interview on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SX5kKTNM24Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Mornings @ The Masters<\/a>. \u201cI got a couple photographer friends who sent me a couple of cameras and lenses and said, \u2018Here you go.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Although at that time Griffey likely wasn\u2019t considering photography as a second career, his actions introduced him to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/the-benefits-of-being-a-generalist\/\">new skill<\/a>, and Liu says talking to people who are currently \u201cdoing the things you want to do\u201d is an important step. It\u2019s easy to overanalyze a situation and make assumptions, but a conversation with someone who\u2019s already working in that space can be encouraging and a shortcut to the information you need to make the change.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThe final [step]... is to err on the side of action,\u201d Liu says. \u201cActions are what open up opportunities\u2026 [Don\u2019t] feel like you\u2019ve got to make the perfect move into this new sector, but broadly move yourself toward the direction that you think might be promising.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-should-you-pursue-this-professionally-nbsp-nbsp\">Should you pursue this professionally?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Learning a new skill or picking up a post-retirement hobby doesn\u2019t automatically mean it should be a second career. In fact, Liu cautions people against making that assumption.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cJust because you enjoy doing something on the side doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to still enjoy it if you\u2019re doing it professionally, especially if your livelihood depends on it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Liu says asking yourself the following questions is a way to overlay practical considerations on a genuine interest or hobby.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} -->\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>How energized do I feel by this?<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s important, if you\u2019re going to pursue a second career, that it really energizes you because it takes a lot of effort to branch off and do something different,\u201d he says.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Does a market exist for this? <\/strong>This is a practical, yet necessary question, which Liu says should be followed up by:<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Do I have a way of reaching that market?<\/strong> <strong>Can I access the customer base or reach the people I want to work with?<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Can I make enough money doing this?<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Do I have the skills and credentials to be credible in this space? <\/strong>If not, can I gain those skills and credentials?<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ol>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you decide to proceed, Liu says do not dismiss your previous experience and assume it\u2019s irrelevant.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of imposter syndrome when people change careers, and they think \u2018I didn\u2019t come from this background, [so] I don\u2019t have a right to play in this new space,\u2019\u201d he says. \u201c[But that\u2019s] not useful. If you can embrace it and see it as a differentiator, that can actually help you sell a unique story to people that separates you from traditional applicants.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-should-you-pursue-a-second-career-in-retirement\">Should you pursue a second career in retirement?<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Although the promise of a second career can be exciting, Liu says it\u2019s not for everyone and no one should feel compelled to continue working, if they\u2019re able and want to retire.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019re at the point of retirement and you feel like it\u2019s time for you to just kick back and relax, I feel like the choice is yours,\u201d he says. \u201cNo one should feel pressured to necessarily have a second act or encore career.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt goes back to the idea that everyone\u2019s career path and career journey is quite unique.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Maybe the joy of making homemade bread is in sharing it with friends and family, but perhaps your memoir would resonate with readers around the world. The choice to pursue a second career or turn a hobby into a money-making venture is a decision specific to you and your circumstances. Whatever you decide, being intentional is key, according to Liu.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThinking your career is going to just naturally evolve on its own and that one day this is just going to work out\u2026\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s just not what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photo by Ground Picture\/Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","tag_names":[],"post_attachment_urls":[],"author_email":"Kristen-Tribe+author@success.com","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96392"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}