Most career journeys don’t follow a straight path. An
AARP poll found that 78% of workers will change careers at least once in their lives. We asked some Reynolds associates about career changes they’ve made, both within the company and prior to joining it, to gain insight into their motivations and how Reynolds supported their growth.
Brittany K. went from national parks to convention centers.
“Before I joined Reynolds, I worked as a Field Educator for Yellowstone National Park, teaching experiential learning programs. After a while, I wanted to look for something with more stability and opportunities for growth that brought me closer to my family in Ohio."
"Now, I’m an Events Marketing Specialist, planning automotive trade show events. I design event spaces, organize logistics, and work with our sales associates. Transitioning to such a different role had its challenges, but I felt support from my team from day one. My leadership’s trust and guidance makes me feel valued, confident, and proud of my work.”
Terry O. investigated crimes before drafting legal documents.
“I was a member of the Florida Office of the Attorney General, working in economic crimes. I investigated and prosecuted automotive dealers, manufacturers, and leasing companies, which inspired my interest in the automotive industry. After 16 years, I joined Reynolds in 2006 and am now the company’s Director of Compliance."
"Initially, I oversaw document management and the drafting of consumer-facing legal documents for automotive dealers. Presently, I serve as the liaison between Reynolds’ customers and the company regarding its documents. My career transition has opened many doors for me. I write automotive columns for various publications and was inducted into the Finance and Insurance Hall of Fame in 2025.”
Shelby T. once cared for animals, now she advocates for Reynolds customers.
“In my previous role as a Veterinary Assistant, I traveled to low-cost clinics in different states to administer vaccines. After a few years in the field, I realized how physically demanding the job was and that I couldn’t sustain it long-term. I wanted to utilize my administrative and organizational skills in a more structured environment."
"Going from an on-call 24/7 role to a consistent schedule has had a very positive impact on my life. It’s one of the best career moves I’ve made, and I feel like I really thrive here. I’m excited to continue growing with the company.”
Meredith C.'s career with Reynolds has allowed her to grow with the company.
“I’ve made several career changes since joining Reynolds. I started in Sales, where I held several different positions over 10 years, including Account Manager, before transitioning to Sales Training, where I stayed for about five years. I then had an opportunity to challenge myself in a brand-new management position in the Marketing Department."
"Moving to a different department was a big change, but I found that diving in, asking questions, and collaborating with my team was the best way to learn. I also leveraged my sales knowledge to provide new insights into our campaigns. My leadership is incredibly supportive, and I can’t wait to continue growing with this amazing group of people.”
Derrike R. traded HVAC repairs for product demonstrations.
“After graduating from college with a business degree, I held different sales and administrative roles that I didn’t feel passionate about. I liked being on the go and talking to people, so I became an HVAC technician. After a couple of years of doing tune-ups and diagnostics, my wife and I started a family. I realized staying in this role long-term would take a physical toll on me, so I started looking for something different."
"In my current role, I get to marry my business and blue-collar experiences. I present our automotive dealership service products to potential customers and feel like I can speak their language. Finding a role that combines my favorite parts of my previous jobs with such a great team has been really rewarding.”
Ask any mentor in your life about their career, and they’ll likely tell you they started out doing something completely different from their current role. They might even say they made a couple of career changes before settling into something they really enjoy. A company like Reynolds supports those changes, allowing you to grow with it.
Make Reynolds the next stop on your career journey. Find job openings here.
