Throughout history, many famous figures have been known to completely change their careers. From world-class athletes to renowned artists to high-powered politicians, everyone has the potential to pursue something new if they have the drive and determination. Famous figures have a lot to offer society and the world, and some of them have achieved great success in new fields after taking a radical break from the path they started on. The following are some of the most illustrious people who have made the uncanny transition from one profession to another.
- James Lovelock – Scientist and Author
James Lovelock is a British scientist, inventor, and author who is best known as the originator of the Gaia hypothesis. Lovelock originally trained as a chemist and had a successful career in industrial research. He changed career paths in the late 1960s and began doing extensive research in biology and environmental science, developing the Gaia hypothesis and becoming a respected scientist in his field. In addition to his scientific work, he also wrote two books on environmental science, which became highly regarded and bestsellers.
- Roger Clemens – Baseball Player and Entrepreneur
Roger Clemens is a former professional baseball pitcher who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He began his career in baseball, spending twenty-four years on the mound. After retiring from the sport, Clemens decided to try his hand at a new career and started the company Rocket Ventures. The company focuses on sports and racing sports merchandise, and Clemens is now a successful businessman.
- Mark Zuckerberg – Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Mark Zuckerberg is the founder and CEO of Facebook, and one of the wealthiest people in the world. He began his career in tech, working on web development and software design. After creating the social media site Facebook, he found success and left college. Soon after, he started a philanthropic organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, to help drive progress in science, education, and justice.
- Barack Obama – Politician and Author
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States, and previously a Senator and a civil rights attorney. He began his career practicing law and teaching constitutional law before entering politics in the mid-1990s. After his two terms in office, Obama decided to try his hand at something new and published his first book as an author, titled A Promised Land. He is now a successful author and has revealed plans for several more books in the future.
- – Steve Jobs – Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple and one of the most famous entrepreneurs of the late twentieth century. He began his career as a tech executive and entrepreneur, due to the success of Apple, he ultimately became a billionaire. After leaving the company, Jobs decided to pursue philanthropic work, becoming a donor to various projects, such as the health and educational initiatives.
Changing careers is always a daunting prospect, but it is often an incredibly rewarding experience. The success stories of the aforementioned celebrities are proof that it’s possible to take a risk and be successful in a completely new field. Famous figures often possess the strength and determination to take on big challenges and make the most of the opportunities available. Whether they succeed or not, they set an inspirational example for others who want to pivot to a new profession.
