Changing career is a daunting prospect at any time but embarking on this journey in my late 40s, while navigating the turbulent waters of the menopause, was especially terrifying. Just when I most needed my inner confidence, courage, mental agility and clarity of thought – the menopause bitch dragged the rug out from under me. Throw in a national pandemic at the same time and you have the perfect storm. It was no surprise really, with all this going on, that my planned career change stalled.
If you’ve ever been out of work for a lengthy period you will know that the longer time passes, the harder it is to imagine yourself as the confident professional you once were. Many women can find themselves in this predicament after a career break raising a family. As we journey deeper into parenthood our professional worth can disappear in the rear view mirror. When we re-emerge the world of work has moved on and we feel out of touch. Dusting off CVs and re-marketing ourselves in this new landscape can be overwhelming. Adding to the challenge, women often seek part-time roles at this stage as they still have family obligations to juggle. Part-time professional opportunities are few and far between and rarely hit the job boards. Unless you are prepared to go freelance or accept lower skilled positions, the options are limited.
Thankfully there is help out there. For me, it came in the form of two inspiring women, Morna and Helen, from The People Portfolio. Their government funded programme, Return with Resilience, provided just the right impetus to propel me back into the workplace. Buoyed by a round of personal development workshops and one to one mental fitness coaching, I emerged feeling more confident, re-energised and determined to move forward. With their guidance I learnt to reframe my attempted career transition as a positive learning experience. I was re-introduced to my skills and re-found my strengths. My imposter syndrome retreated to the corner. This, combined with practical guidance on where to find flexible work opportunities, how to maximise your network, CV writing and interview skills, provided the full package of support.
The opportunity to connect with women having a similar experience was also invaluable. Yet I was most inspired by Morna and Helen and the counsellors from Mind in Mission. Shrugging off past identities, they reinvented themselves creating new, successful businesses. I sought the flexibility of self-employment and wanted to make a difference through facilitation; helping people connect and grow. Thankfully the support from The People Portfolio didn’t end with the programme. They invited me to join as an associate facilitator and continue to support me on my journey back to work today.
If any of this resonates with you, I really recommend finding people who can help. Morna and Helen are a great place to start and have a wealth of experience to offer. There are also other women returner programmes out there so just reach out and take the risk. Who knows what might happen?