If you ask an 18 year old what they'd like to do for the rest of their life, we’re pretty sure they wouldn’t be able to give you an answer. Most are unsure of which path to take, whilst others jump straight into their chosen careers. But what about the ones in between? You know, the ones that think they know what they want to do, only for them to realise later on in life that they should’ve gone down another path. Sound familiar
What you probably don’t realise is that it happens a lot more than you think. Flamboyant fashionista Vivienne Westwood, famous for introducing the fashion world to modern punk, wasn’t always found in a design studio. In fact, she started off her career in a very different type of room. The classroom. It took a decade for Ms Westwood to make the transition from primary school teacher to fashion designer. Whilst Vivienne might have been ahead of her time, nowadays mid life career changes can be exactly what you need to reinvigorate your life.
Former MP Reba Meagher was barely out of her teens when she was thrust into the political spotlight alongside ex- fiancé, controversial former Labor MP Joe Tripodi. Together they overthrew the left faction of Young Labor and secured the presidency. But after devoting more than 20 years to the party, she finally stepped down from her role as health minister in 2008, when she realised she had enough of the disloyalty, power struggles and in fighting that went hand in hand with politics.
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Credit: Ben Rushton |
“I think the adversarial nature of the Westminster system somewhat overshadows the intrinsic good of people, and surviving that can be really difficult,” she said. ''I suppose the public perception of politics isn't always a positive one but it was a life experience I will treasure forever. I look back on my time in politics fondly.”
Luckily for her, it wasn’t long before she found a role better suited to her - as the chief executive of the Sisters of Charity Foundation, which supports the order of nuns who came to Australia in 1838. And it looks like the decision was one that fit in with her principles.
“My values align to the sisters’ mission,” she said. The role gives her the opportunity to be a serve the community without the pressure of being in the public eye. It also gives Reba the chance to spend quality time with her son, Louie away from the spotlight.
Someone who understands what Reba went through is best-selling author Joanne Fedler, who spent her 20s working long hours as a high profile lawyer and women’s rights activist. But after spending many years burning the candle at both ends, the native South African was physically and emotionally drained.
“It all took quite a toll on me emotionally...but I didn’t know what else I was ever going to do and couldn’t see a future beyond it,” she said.
Well, she did have a future. After moving with her family to Australia and heeding her husband’s advice, she finally finished writing the manuscript that would kick-start her career as a writer.
"I always wondered if I hadn't left South Africa, if those events would've transpired like that ... [But I guess] whatever path you've taken just becomes the building block to wherever you're meant to go."
Whatever the reason, it seems more and more people are joining Reba and Joanne in breaking away from their everyday workplace routine and venturing out into a world where career fulfilment takes on a whole new meaning.
Would you consider changing your career later on in life? Have you changed careers? What would prompt you to change your career?
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