Welcome to the reinvention economy: Americans are pivoting careers, upskilling, and starting over

Americans across the nation are reimagining their careers in response to a challenging job market, fears of layoffs, and the rise of artificial intelligence. For some, this means a shift to a new industry or entrepreneurship, while others are learning new skills to remain competitive.

Douglas Craig, a former media executive, found himself rescuing people from trees and operating an aerial adventure park after being laid off in June 2025. He describes his current career as a pivot, not a start-over, as it brings him more happiness and aligns better with his life stage. Craig is among many who are navigating this new phase of career reinvention, driven by a need to adapt to changing job requirements and uncertain job security.

Jon McCarty, a former contract software engineer, spent over a year searching for another tech job before finding part-time work as a cashier and handyman. He realized he may not secure another software job and is now working with his past construction skills. Similarly, Robin Peppers Daniel, who was laid off from her management role at Wells Fargo, turned to substitute teaching and building a web design business with her husband.

Kevin Hannegan, who was laid off from his director role at a publishing company, has pieced together income through gig work, including driving for DoorDash and fixing deck boards. He also worked as part of the changeover crew at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, during the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup win. After more months of unsuccessful job hunting, Hannegan decided to focus on part-time opportunities, acknowledging that this might be the best fit for him.

For Tanvi Pisal, a product designer, AI posed a threat to her job, leading her to learn more about AI and experiment with AI tools in her contract role at a Big Tech company. She aims to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancement to maintain her career prospects.

For entrepreneurs like Philicia Endelman and Bonnie Chiurazzi, reinvention has meant building something of their own. Chiurazzi founded a market research firm, Vibe Insights Lab, using her professional expertise, finding it a fulfilling experiment and a way to improve her health. She does not plan on returning to corporate jobs. Endelman's entrepreneurship journey, driven by the desire for more control over her outcomes and reduced stress, exemplifies this trend.