The Power to Pivot: A Black Heritage Month Interview Series -- Brittney Oliver

It’s Black History Month, and my team and I at LinkedIn are diving into what it truly means to embrace the Power to Pivot - celebrating the resilience, adaptability, and ambition of Black professionals navigating today’s ever-changing career landscape, where career pivots can be both a choice and a necessity. In fact, 64% of Black professionals will be looking for a new job in 2025.?

This month, I’ll be launching Power to Pivot, a series of my newsletter, featuring conversations with professionals who have boldly embraced career pivots, redefining what success looks like on their own terms.

First up is Brittney Oliver , a former PR professional turned journalist and founder of Lemons 2 Lemonade, a networking platform and event series dedicated to helping professionals turn setbacks into opportunities.?

A story of resilience and reinvention, I had the chance to connect with Brittney about how she navigated her own career pivots, overcame doubt, and built a career that truly fills her cup. Her story is proof that the Power to Pivot isn’t just about changing jobs, it’s about recognizing your worth, tapping into your network, and staying open to unexpected opportunities. Here’s what she had to say:

What inspired your career pivot, and what challenges did you face when making the change?

My first career pivot was inspired by the need to move on from an industry I didn't feel loved me back. When I graduated from college, my goal was to be a publicist at an agency working with consumer brands. I tried for years, but time passed, and so were sustainable income possibilities. After being told in these interviews that I didn't have enough of something or didn't fit the culture, I kept finding ways to add that "it" factor to my resume, but what happened was a revolving door of rejection.

While I continued to be rejected, my peers moved up the ladder and made more money. I had to stop having tunnel vision and open my eyes to other possibilities.

The challenge I faced was confidence. The rejection dampened my spirit and made me question my capabilities. It took a lot of work to build myself back up. I also had to stop being prideful and ask for help. I had to start sharing my story and ask people to help me. In doing so, I made my first pivot.

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How did you prepare for your pivot, and what resources or tools were most helpful along the way??

First, I examined my interests and reevaluated my career. I sat down and thought about what I really loved about PR, what I did well, and what I could improve on. I also broke down how my teams and managers leaned on me. What did I become the go-to person for? What would people miss if I were no longer on the team? That's how I evaluated my value. I also looked at the landscape and trends in marketing and communications to see where we were headed and how I could find a place in it.

In doing this, I realized that I loved storytelling, that my team relied on me for copy and editing, and that newsletters were becoming a needed form of marketing. I had already taken ownership of creating them at work. As the industry changed, I started seeing more roles open for email marketing, and it was how I set my eyes on a pivot.

If you are currently thinking about a pivot, take the time to connect with people who are doing what you think you want to do. You can connect and learn new skills with a different team at work, or find a small business owner who may need your services to help build your skill set.

Another thing that helped with my career pivots was having a network. Some of my opportunities came from someone I met at a networking event or from someone in my network who thought I would be good for an opportunity. Having a network who knows your track record for success is great for pivots.

Was there a moment when you questioned your decision, and how did you overcome any doubts?

Letting go of PR was like a breakup. I loved it so much, and it hurt to fight through cultural biases to even get through the door. It was a level of career grief that I still work through, but where I am now is where I'm supposed to be.

When I made the move to email and web marketing, I was intimidated by the technical knowledge that my teammates had, as everything I did know was self-taught. But one thing about me is that I'm determined. That determination helps me be a quick learner. People who bet on me never regret it.

Knowing that I was keeping up with the demand, that my peers appreciated my eye for detail, and that my copywriting was respected gave me the confidence I needed.

What advice would you give to someone considering a similar pivot in their career?

After the pandemic, I realized that pivoting will always be necessary. Whether forced or a choice, we have to adapt and be okay with plans B, C, or D. The different paths life takes us on make us better and stronger; often, they are the things we never knew we needed.

I've had many discussions with college students about pivoting. As Gen Z continues to navigate a new type of corporate culture and an oversaturated and competitive job market, many will start life after college, facing a pivot. Whatever pivot you make, know you can pivot again, and it will be okay. Stay curious about your industry and new technology that can enhance and impact your work. Doing this helps you prepare for change.

Is there anything else that you'd like to share about your pivot??

Although I enjoy email and web marketing, the industry I was working in didn't fill my cup. During this time, I started freelance editorial writing, launched a blog and newsletter, and eventually, a networking series. In my self-discovery, I realized that I loved storytelling in different forms. I loved taking topics and bringing them to life in event form.

My side hustles became my lifeline during layoffs that forced me to pivot and become a full-time entrepreneur. I was so scared to be a full-time entrepreneur and didn't feel ready, but that experience presented so much growth for me. I added new outlets to my growing list of articles, took my networking series on tour, and traveled every month for a paid opportunity to speak, host or write. It was amazing.?

Then, the pandemic hit, and I was forced to pivot again. As I watched the marketing communications industry trends, I started to see roles for content marketing that encompassed my skills, and so by the summer of 2020, I returned to corporate.

Today, I do all three things: I lead my networking community, I write, and I market. Each fills my cup, and I wouldn't have it any other way. However, I'm watching the industry and consumer behaviors and I know I will have to adapt and pivot very soon.

I love what Brittney shared about the need to pivot not only your career strategy but your emotional mindset to make your pivot work best for you. Black professionals have long embodied resilience, constantly navigating barriers while redefining success on their own terms. In 2024, many professionals began seeking new opportunities, and 1 in 4 Black professionals successfully secured roles in industries outside of their previous fields, signaling a shift towards broadening career horizons. This movement isn’t just about career changes—it’s about owning our narratives, leveraging our skills, and proving that the power to pivot is in our hands.