Do you have someone you aspire to be like in the future? If that is a yes, you may have missed the fact that some of them did not start in the careers they are known in now.
Some of these famous personalities took several years in their previous industries before shifting. Others did it as a sidejob before or took it on as a chance to try something new.
Want to know which famous personalities made surprising career changes?
Here are some of them below:
Ava Du Vernay – Started from PR work to Film Directing, Writing and Producing
Ava DuVernay is well-known for her contribution in the hit movies Selma, 13th and A Wrinkle in Time. But, before she began her work in film, she started as a journalist and a public relations officer.
It was only when she was 32 did she started her first documentary as a side project. She continued on with 2 others while doing her day job in PR. As she did her works, she used her PR experience to run sets and slowly transferred to film.
Ina Garten – Started from Government Work to TV Hosting and Cookbook Writing
For Ina Garten, career shifts were common. She had a lot of side gigs and worked for a nuclear energy policy job. She later bought a specialty food store, Barefoot Contessa, which she continued for 20 years.
After 20 years, she went to write a cookbook which shared the name of the store. The book was a success and today, she continues to publish award-winning cookbooks and is the host of her very own Food Network show. It proves as a hit since it has been on air since 2002.
Ken Jeong – Started from Medicine to Acting and Comedy
One of my favourite all-time actor, Ken Jeong was previously a full-time physician before he began making people laugh and amazed with his acting.
Fulfilling his childhood dream, Jeong did his residency in New Orleans’ Oshner Medical Center and even worked at Kaiser Permanente. He already knew acting while he was at college and started doing standups even while he had long duties.
Once he moved to LA and landed several roles, he quit being a doctor after finishing his big break, Knocked Up and the Hangover.
Jeong still practices his degree and renews his medical license each year. He previously assisted a woman having seizures during one of his standup shows.
Giorgio Armani – Started from medicine and military to fashion
Giorgio Armani is well-known for being one of the most sought after fashion designers in the world. However, before he entered fashion, he actually took up medicine and worked for a military hospital when he joined the army.
After finishing his military stint in 1953, he shifted to several odd jobs around Milan. He started out as a window dresser, then a salesperson in a men’s clothing store, and designed his own line in the 1960s. His line became a hit that by 1975, he started Armani.
Mick Jagger – Started from studying business and being a porter to music
Before he became a rock legend, Mick Jagger was on his way taking up a business degree at the famed London School of Economics. To support his studies, he worked as a porter at Bexley Psychiatric Hospital. He also thought of going into journalism before music called out to him.
The Rolling Stones debuted even while Jagger was still in LSE. He left the school in 1963 to continue his musical career and today, he is a rock icon.
In Other Words
If you feel like your current job is not for you, don’t be afraid to take the shift. These famous stars also found themselves in the crossroads you are in and took the risk in shifting careers.
Today, they are now successful in careers they really love. So, take that first step (rather than to be stuck in a life-sapping job you hate) and you’ll be able to find yourself on the right path to success.
Looking for a change in your career path? It’s good to read up on some of these articles before you make the move:
The Career Change Manifesto – Your New Life Starts Here!
Top Reasons Why New Mums Change Jobs
The Challenges of Dealing with a Stalling Career
Can’t get enough of MiddleMe? You can find me sharing my thoughts here as well:
Instagram @kallymiddleme
Twitter (MiddleMe_net)
FaceBook (MiddleMe.net)
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kallytay
Best things in life are meant to be shared, start spreading MiddleMe around, after all, sharing is caring.
MiddleMe 
This is so helpful. I always get motivated by success stories that show how people can change their life around!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much and have a wonderful weekend! Welcome to MiddleMe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for having us! You have amazing content 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello, my friend Kally! You are an inspiration. I come here often because there is always something inspiring. Keep up the excellent work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support.
LikeLike
How cool and interesting. Thanks for posting. I started out as a fashion major, and changed my major to English. The rest is history.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for sharing with us! So interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing!!.. one needs to follow one’s heart wherever it may lead oneself… 🙂
“When you are truly inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project… your mind transcends its limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world! Then those dormant forces, faculties and talents inside you become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali “
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love this quote! Always looking forward to your comment.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these stories! It’s always fascinating the different paths people take.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for leaving your thoughts with us! Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent blog post! Find something you’re passionate about and do it for a living. Don’t stay in a job or occupation that doesn’t fulfill you. Great advice, Kally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I totally agree with you, Janet. Being stuck in a job you don’t love is miserable. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLike
Great post with a fantastic message, Kally. I started out as a music major, finished with a Masters in Education and ended up as a business manager. Change, while not always predictable can be very positive. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! You have an interesting journey. I’ll love to hear your story one day. I always see change as an epic adventure, full of excitement!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kally… Happy to share. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I tell the story of my childhood and teenage years through to adulthood in my books: Miedo: Living Beyond Childhood Fear. And Miedo 2: A Reckoning With Fear. Kally. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to work on my writing so I can tell my story through books like you! You’re an inspiration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very moving..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and welcome to MiddleMe!
LikeLike
Very surprising indeed! I do think its common, however, for performance-oriented kids to start by choosing the life that will please their parent(s). Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much and welcome to MiddleMe!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
A VERT ENCOURAGING POST!!!~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jonathan! Good to see you here again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fell very welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will always be welcome here with open arms!
LikeLiked by 1 person
:0)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You need to be in a career you really love. As we get older I think we change and that often sends us in the direction of another career.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes.. that’s quite true. Over the years, our outlook in life changes and goals changes as well.
LikeLike
We have choices to either live your dreams or dream of your life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or you can always keep on dreaming for the rest of your life 🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, We could extend this forever.
LikeLike