The latest Caffeine Crossings meeting brought together three individuals with unique stories of career transitions and personal growth. Monica, Julia, and Sebastian reflected on their life decisions, revealing the complex emotions and practical considerations involved in changing—or staying in—a career. Their journeys underscored themes of personal happiness versus security, generational expectations, and the courage to embrace new paths.
Monica, a former nurse from Adelaide, Australia, shared her decision to shift from healthcare to studying business administration in her late 50s. After years of balancing work, family, and caregiving, she sought personal fulfilment through education. “I just wanted to do something different…life is short. So now I’m doing something I’ve wanted to do for years, and I’m doing an MBA,” she explained. For Monica, the shift wasn’t about a new career but about pursuing long-held interests after fulfilling her responsibilities. Reflecting on her change, she encouraged Sebastian, who was grappling with job dissatisfaction: “You’ve never left it too late…when you reach my age, you can still throw the towel and say, right, I’ve done my bit. Now it’s me.” She also emphasized that personal circumstances heavily influence career choices, saying, “It all depends on the circumstances…That’s not one size fits all, because everyone’s circumstances are different.”
Monica also touched on the prohibitive cost of childcare in Australia, which shapes many women’s career decisions. “In Australia, the cost of childcare is often prohibitive, so many women look at other options…Sometimes, the first step of change is the hardest, but you’ve never left it too late.” This reflection highlights the societal and economic factors that influence career shifts, particularly for women balancing family responsibilities with work.
Julia, who transitioned from engineering to psychology, shared her bold decision to leave a stable and well-paying job because it didn’t bring her long-term satisfaction. “At some point, I couldn’t imagine being an engineer my whole life…I had to work another 30, 35 years, so I wanted to do something I really, really liked,” she said. Julia’s family had initially resisted her decision, reflecting a generational focus on security over happiness: “Your family wants you to be safe, and they couldn’t understand why you would change a safe job and a good income and start from zero again.” Like Monica, Julia reassured Sebastian that change was always possible, regardless of age or stage in life: “It’s never too late.”
Sebastian’s story, however, provided a contrasting perspective. He has spent over 20 years working for the same American company across Germany and Switzerland. Despite professional success, he admitted to feeling deeply unhappy in his role: “No, I’m not happy. I don’t like my job…I think 80% of people who are employees feel the same.” Despite this dissatisfaction, he has yet to make the leap, reflecting on the fears that hold him back: “What if it’s not working? Rationally, I know what I’m able to do…but the step, that’s the difference between people who always think about it and the others who move.” He traced some of this reluctance to childhood experiences: “My father always told me when we did homework that I’m stupid…And then you get a direction for the future that you think, so all the fears…Am I good enough? Am I able to do it?” Though still uncertain about his next steps, Sebastian acknowledged the power of even small changes: “You can change yourself, move a little bit right or left…you can adapt.”
The group’s discussion also touched on how attitudes toward career stability have shifted across generations. Monica observed, “I think how our parents…they might have been in the same job for 50 years…many of them probably weren’t happy in that job, but they just continued.” Julia echoed this sentiment with a memory of her own mother, who had dismissed her desire for change: “Oh, nobody likes their job. It’s normal.” These comments highlighted how previous generations prioritized stability and duty over personal happiness, a mindset that Monica and Julia both eventually chose to break away from.
Throughout the conversation, the participants offered each other advice and support. Monica and Julia, both of whom had made significant career changes, encouraged Sebastian to take small steps toward change when the time was right for him. Monica reminded him, “The first step of change is the hardest…but you’ve never left it too late.” Sebastian, in turn, offered a self-aware reflection that many could relate to: “I’m always postponing it…There’s always a reason.” His honesty illustrated the internal conflicts many face when contemplating a major life shift.
Ultimately, the conversation revealed the deeply personal nature of career decisions and the complex interplay between security, happiness, and timing. Monica and Julia’s stories of courage and transformation inspired Sebastian—and the group—to consider what holds them back from making bold decisions. As the discussion drew to a close, one question lingered: How long will you wait before prioritizing your own happiness over the security of what you know?