Although there isn’t specific data referring to how many times people change their careers, on average, anecdotally the number is usually seven. If you’re in the midst of changing your career or want to and don’t know how to leap, consider this: Your path can change with a single serendipitous conversation.

After business school, Lew Frankfort, former CEO of Coach and author of “Bag Man: The Story Behind the Improbable Rise of Coach” worked in social services for the New York City government and got passed over for a promotion. Mayor Ed Koch told him he was “too principled” for the job he wanted that would involve negotiating contracts.

“I cannot accurately say what Mayor Koch meant, I just know the words he used,” said Frankfort. “I wanted a job that would challenge me and to help build

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