It was American psychologist Anthony Klotz who coined the term “the Great Resignation.” He was referring to the upheaval caused by Covid that saw more women than men transition to better jobs. Both in the US and Australia, there was an enormous shift as women chose lifestyle over burnout. 

But was Covid the only reason Australian women began leaving their careers in droves? Jobs they found exciting in their 20s were not nearly as appealing as they approached 40; a pivotal age when people change and lifestyles evolve. Many women started looking for careers that provided higher job satisfaction and a greater quality of life. 

Covid proved that work-life balance is possible; family commitments could be accommodated more readily and cloud-based software made connecting with the office extremely accessible. Suddenly, women weren’t as mentally tied to their workplaces and began thinking of what else they might do. There was the realisation that improved work-life balance was more attainable than ever. Following COVID, new businesses started cropping up everywhere as women decided to go out on their own. 

Burnout contributed to this pivot. Eighty-hour weeks no longer appealed as high-performing executives traded anxiety in for time with their kids; attending swimming lessons and netball practice. 

Approaching 40 is a time when most evaluate their place in the world – both personally and professionally. Choosing a new career is best done when it aligns with an individual’s personality and style of working. So, pivoting to a new ‘you’ should be considered carefully.   

Transferable skills can be applied throughout the workforce 

Communication skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities are transferrable skills, regardless of the job or industry being worked in. In addition to these “soft skills,” more women are wanting to upskill so they can increase their earning potential. 

Accredited Australian qualifications online enable women to forge a pathway to a new career in a way that fits in around existing work and family commitments. The process involves matching candidates with current knowledge and qualifications against the course they want to study, such as a certificate or diploma.  

Those looking to make a career change around the age of 40 are likely to have highly valuable and transferrable skills and knowledge to bring to their new career. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enables the skills and knowledge acquired in previous careers to be counted towards Australian course requirements. This can fast-track the completion of certificates or diplomas significantly. There are a range of RPL courses online offering qualifications in high-demand industries including business, health, and community services.