How Women Can Navigate Career Transitions

Gender diversity rates in the U.S. workforce are at an all-time high. In February 2023, The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that women aged 16 years and older make up around 47% of all U.S. employees. In addition to this, a report from Built In showed that women are also rising industry leaders — currently, there are 53 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, the highest it’s ever been.

Despite women propelling forward with their careers, many are leaving their companies and switching jobs at record rates. Dominant reasons for changing career paths are rooted in the underrepresentation many women experience despite their leadership roles. Furthermore, women face numerous barriers in their journey of professional advancement, such as microaggressions and lack of recognition for their work contributions.

Aside from these, some women also choose to transition to different careers that are more accommodating of their personal lives. As of this year, 48% of women surveyed say they will leave their current roles for work-life balance. Similarly, another survey found that 27% of women have transitioned out of roles for their families. Regardless of why someone wants to make changes in their professional path, navigating career transitions presents some challenges since it requires heavy adjustment and planning.

The challenge of career transitions
A reason why career transitions become difficult is that it does not simply mean changing one’s job title. Wanting a career change entails adjustments in lifestyle, interests, and goals in the long run. In some cases, career transitions can also mean confronting new learning curves as a marked shift in jobs requires new skills or knowledge. This can lead to possible confusion and frustration, both professionally and personally.

For women, in particular, career transitions are also difficult because of the existing gender bias that hinders them from making seamless career changes. While some can leave their jobs in pursuit of better options, some women hesitate to consider a career change because of the lack of opportunities. In the STEM field alone, women still earn less than their male counterparts and remain underrepresented. The disparity is even worse for queer women, as NBC News reported that 46% of LGBTQ+ workers reported receiving unfair treatment at some point in their careers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Case in point, some LGBTQ+ members are passed over for a job, harassed at work, denied a promotion or raise, or excluded from company events. This shows that most workspaces fail to cultivate a queer-friendly culture that protects and empowers LGBTQ+ employees. Championing queer rights should be the norm, as this promotes overall satisfaction for employees and can bolster the company culture. Furthermore, companies should focus on teaching gender and sexuality sensitivity in the workplace, as this helps ease the difficulties women and LGBTQ+ individuals face when transitioning careers. Despite all these challenges presented against women, there are some actionable ways they can take to have a smoother career transition experience.

Navigating career transitions
There are a number of factors to consider when addressing concerns regarding career transitions. As it requires change across different facets of life and one’s capabilities, women need to closely assess their reasons for wanting to change careers. Some may want to work in the same industry but with a better work environment. On the other hand, some might want to do work with a completely different sector and job title altogether.

No matter the reason, changing careers may require you to further your skills and knowledge, if not learn something new altogether. To make this transition smoother, upskilling your professional capabilities is always a good place to start. There are different programs online that cater to different job titles that provide continuous learning opportunities and expand your skills. Some programs are focused on STEM careers and offer immersive mentorship classes in software engineering, data analytics, data science, and even the natural and psychological scientific disciplines. Additionally, some classes cater to more corporate roles, such as product development, marketing, customer service, and sales analysis. Upskilling not only prepares you for the potential requirements of a new job, but it can also broaden your own valuable assets that recruiters will want.

Besides this, if your present company offers it, outplacement solutions can aid in the transition process. Through these HR-led initiatives, you can find new roles in different industries that may otherwise be harder to find for an independent applicant. Outside of HR, having the right support system with friends and family can also shoulder some of the challenges presented by career transitions. Research suggests that overcoming barriers of career transitions is easier when women are able to have a reliable social network. This is because having a support system can provide external encouragement when facing career difficulties. A good support network also helps address symptoms of burnout, which can greatly hinder motivation and mental well-being while career transitioning.

Navigating career transitions is not an easy feat, so it’s also important to manage expectations when moving from a more familiar role. However, continuously upskilling, expanding your capabilities, and having the right support system greatly help minimize any uncertainties.

How Women Can Navigate Career Transitions

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