Written by: John R. Yendrick II | USMC Veteran | Vice Commander | American Legion Post #121

At 42 years old, most people aren’t walking onto a college campus for the first time. They’re established. Settled into careers. Focused on retirement timelines, not class schedules.

I’m doing the opposite.

I’m a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a soon-to-be husband, small business owner, and now: a first-year Honors college student pursuing two degrees in Financial Planning and Economics. At the same time, I’m actively working in the field; supporting an advisory practice within an RIA environment while also beginning to build my own book of business through a broker-dealer platform. 

Welcome to my pivot journey! On paper, it might look like I’m starting late. In reality, I’m starting with intention.

Like many veterans, my transition from military service to civilian life wasn’t a straight line. I’ve worn multiple hats, taken on different roles, and navigated the uncertainty that comes with rebuilding a life after service. What I’ve learned along the way is that experience compounds, just like capital. Every decision, every challenge, every setback adds to a base that you eventually draw from.

That perspective is what led me to financial planning. Not just as a career, but as a mission.

I didn’t enter this field looking for a job. I came into it because I saw a gap, one that affects people I know personally. Service members, veterans, and working families often operate in complex financial systems without access to clear, fiduciary guidance. Too many are left navigating benefits, investments, insurance, and long-term planning on their own, or worse, with advice that isn’t truly in their best interest.

I want to change that.

So, I made a decision that, on the surface, doesn’t make a lot of sense to most people: I went back to school. Full-time. While working in the industry. While serving clients. While managing the responsibilities that come with being a fiancé and main provider.

It’s not easy.

My days are structured down to the hour. Mornings start early. Evenings often end with textbooks, Excel models, or licensing prep. During the day, I’m immersed in the real work of planning; supporting client cases, tracking cost basis, assisting with planning deliverables, and learning firsthand how experienced advisors think, communicate, and guide clients through decisions that impact their lives.

At the same time, I’m beginning to build something of my own.

Through a broker-dealer platform, I’m developing my own client relationships; working with individuals and families who trust me to help them make better financial decisions. It’s early, and I’m under no illusion about the work required. Building a book is one of the most difficult things in this profession. But it’s also one of the most meaningful.

Because it’s earned. Because it’s important. Because it’s impactful.

Every client represents trust. Every conversation carries responsibility. And every recommendation matters.

There are moments where the workload feels overwhelming. Moments where it would be easier to slow down or take a more traditional path.

But that’s not why I’m here.

I’m here because I understand something that only comes with time: urgency.

When you pivot at 42, you don’t have the luxury of drifting. You move with intention. Every class matters. Every client interaction matters. Every hour invested has a purpose behind it.

And in many ways, that’s an advantage.

In the classroom, I’m often surrounded by students who are just beginning to think about their futures. I’m approaching it from the opposite direction. I’ve lived through financial decisions, both good and bad. I’ve seen the consequences of poor planning, and the power of getting it right.

Now, I’m pairing that lived experience with technical training and real-world application.

Because financial planning, at its core, isn’t about numbers.

It’s about people.

It’s about understanding where someone has been, where they are, and where they want to go, then building a strategy around their life, not just their balance sheet.

Working in both an RIA environment and a broker-dealer model has also given me a unique perspective early in my career. I’m seeing different approaches to advice, different structures, and different ways of serving clients. That exposure is shaping how I think about the kind of advisor I want to become: one grounded in fiduciary responsibility, long-term relationships, and real client outcomes.

As I continue this journey, I’ll be sharing insights, challenges, and lessons learned through this column, Pivot Corner. My goal isn’t to present a polished, finished version of success, but rather to document the process in real time.

The late nights. The small wins. The setbacks. The growth.

Because I know I’m not the only one making a transition like this.

There are others out there; veterans, career changers, parents, professionals. All who are considering a pivot but aren’t sure where to start, or whether it’s “too late.”

It’s not.

If anything, the timing might be exactly right.

Related: The Advisor’s Rite of Passage: From First Client to True Fiduciary