How One Professor Turned a Career Pivot into Purpose—and Inspires Others to Do the Same

Associate Professor Erin Vernon followed her curiosity from computer programming to health economics and discovered a career built on values, research, and real-world change.

Her path is proof that career pivots can be transformative. And for those wondering how to align their work with their values, her story offers inspiration and a way forward.

How Curiosity Led to a Life-Changing Shift

Like many undergrads, Vernon started out focused on building technical skills. But purpose? That came later.

“I took some economics classes, but they were really dry and there was no application,” she recalls. “So I honestly didn't understand what economics was.”

That changed after graduation, when she began working at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. Hired for her programming expertise, Vernon found herself increasingly drawn to the work of the economists around her. “I loved the way the economists thought more than what we were doing (no offense to the computer programmers!). I wanted to be on the other side of the table.”

That curiosity led her to see economics in a new light: not as abstract theory, but as a tool to understand systems, inform policy, and ultimately, help people. It was the spark that set her on a new course: toward a PhD and a purpose-driven career in health economics.

Where Data Meets Real-World Change: Discovering Health Economics

Vernon was captivated not just by what economists do, but by how they see the world. Eager to use her skills for good, she found a home in health economics, a field that bridges data and human impact.

“No kid says, ‘I want to be a health economist when I grow up.’ But honestly, they should,” she says.

Health economics explores how medical care is delivered, funded, and distributed—and how those choices influence people’s lives and overall public health.

“It’s been such a fulfilling career for me,” says Vernon. “I’m able to do a lot of interdisciplinary work that improves the population as a whole.” What drives Vernon’s research is a central goal: to inform policies that are more equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of marginalized populations. Vernon isn’t just interested in pointing out what’s broken. She’s focused on building better systems through evidence-based insights.

One of the most compelling examples of her impact is her research into racial disparities in end-of-life care. Vernon found that patients from underrepresented backgrounds often receive less comprehensive and compassionate care in their final days. “We were able to take that research and present at multiple conferences across the nation for hospice leaders,” says  Vernon. Her research is a call to action for decision-makers to ensure dignity and equity at one of the most vulnerable points in a person’s life.

That sense of responsibility—to use data to drive impact—is what fuels her work. And it’s the same approach she brings into the classroom, committed to helping students understand not just how economics works, but why it matters.

Teaching with Impact, Grounded in Community

Vernon brings this same sense of purpose into the classroom. She integrates active research and challenges students to engage with real-world issues, not just study them.

And her students notice. In fact, it was their mindset that inspired her to pursue a full-time role in academia. When she first joined Seattle University as an adjunct for a single quarter, she was struck by their curiosity and care.

Rather than focusing solely on grades or outcomes, her students were deeply engaged.“They truly seemed to enjoy the material and tried to connect it with the world around them,” she says.

What was supposed to be a temporary role quickly became something more. Vernon joined the full-time faculty and eventually earned tenure. Now, she says, she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.

“I feel so fortunate to be working in a community I love,” she says. “The students and faculty inspire me every day.”

That sense of community came into sharp focus during a national conference. In a breakout session for young female economists, Vernon listened as others recounted difficult experiences with gender dynamics in their departments—stories of unequal treatment and male-dominated leadership. It was then that she realized just how different her own experience had been. “My aha moment was—I’ve never had that. I realized how rare my experience has been,” she recalls.

At Seattle University, she has never felt that disparity. Instead, she consistently felt uplifted by all of her colleagues and school leaders. What she had once taken for granted now stands out as something exceptional. She shares, “It gave me a whole new level of appreciation for the environment I’m in—and made me even more committed to paying that support forward.”

Lessons in Purposeful Growth: Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot

Vernon’s story is a reminder that purpose doesn’t always arrive all at once. Sometimes it reveals itself step by step—as you follow your curiosity, stay open to new paths, and do the work that matters most.

Her journey reflects the kind of leadership Seattle University values: thoughtful, adaptable, and anchored in impact. Whether in research, policy, or the classroom, Vernon continues to lead with intention—and encourages others to do the same.

Her advice to students? Stay open, and don’t be afraid to pivot. “I didn’t fully understand economics at first,” she says. “But once I saw how it could be applied and how it could help people, I fell in love. It wasn’t just numbers; it became a language for understanding and making the world better.”

For Vernon, a career pivot served as an opportunity for her to blend learning with moral purpose and to use data to make a difference. And it’s a journey she now helps others take. For students searching for their own path—especially those drawn to making an impact—Seattle University offers the launchpad for transformative leadership through the LEMBA program.

Pave Your Path at Seattle University’s LEMBA Program

Seattle University’s Leadership Executive MBA program (LEMBA) is built for professionals who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and conscience. The program equips students with the tools to navigate complexity, drive impact, and grow into purpose-driven leaders prepared to make a difference in their organizations and communities.

Explore how LEMBA can help you turn your values into action—and your next chapter into something transformative.