'I know now I can reinvent myself.' 4 women on the moment they pivoted careers.

Thanks to our brand partner, Open Universities Australia

Once upon a time, we left school and picked a career path we thought would last a lifetime.

Then the rulebook changed.

More of us are reshaping our careers than ever before. Rising costs, burnout, and the desire for a better work-life balance are pushing plenty of us to trade the "big dream" for the "good life": small joys in the everyday, like shopping at a specialty grocer, moving for a sea (or tree) change, or switching to a career where the stress no longer outweighs the paycheque.

Restarting isn't just acceptable anymore — it's a modern necessity. But whether you're a seasoned professional feeling stuck or just ready for a change, a career pivot in your 30s, 40s, or 50s can feel overwhelming. It's often where fear, uncertainty and sacrifice are all part of the package. For many women, the biggest hurdle isn't capability — it's confidence. Yet, as these four women discovered, taking the leap can bring energy, purpose, and a renewed sense of direction.

That's why having the right support matters. If you're in that "thinking about it" stage, the best place to start is Open Universities Australia. While they're not a uni themselves, they partner with 26 of Australia's leading universities so you can choose from thousands of courses, all in one place.

If you're unsure whether you're after a full degree, a single subject to test the waters, or a short course to upskill, their student advisors are your free guides to walk you through the options from finance admin to enrolment — helping you build clarity and confidence at every step. Think of it as having someone help you talk it through — you don't need to have it all figured out to start. Their course-matching quiz is also a handy way to see what might suit you best, especially if you're still figuring out what feels right.

Here's exactly how four women went from what they "should" be doing to pursuing what they were really meant to do.

Kate Reid, from aerodynamicist to pastry chef.

Image: Instagram/@ms.lune

"I had a really close relationship with my dad. I cottoned on really quickly to the fact that he has always loved cars and motor racing. And I subconsciously understood that if I loved cars as well, it would mean that I would get to spend more time with him, and we would have this thing in common.

"I studied aerospace engineering and knew I wanted to work in Formula 1. But early on, I started to get quiet alarm bells. The reality of working as an engineer just didn't suit my personality. The culture felt toxic and negative, and it really started to impact my mental health. My body eventually broke, as my mental health decline evolved into anorexia — and my parents told me it was time to come home.

"I moved back to Australia and realised I wanted to pursue pastry. I think the eating disorder was my mind and body taking over to give me a clean slate; baking became a way to vicariously engage with food without eating it. I started at the bottom on a bakery counter, then eventually talked my way into an unpaid internship at one of Paris' best boulangeries. I saw an opportunity as an engineer. The croissant is a three-day process with dozens of steps that can be critically analysed and improved. When I returned to Melbourne, it was frustrating because no one was making good croissants. I recipe-tested for three and a half months before launching Lune Croissanterie, pairing them with the best specialty coffee. It wasn't a polished brand agency strategy; it was an authentic origin story from somewhere really real.

"Spending your active years in a job you hate is simply wasting the best years of your life. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. If you are staying in a job because you are scared someone might judge you for leaving, you are just wasting your life. I'm now not scared if one day the pastry world doesn't fulfil me, because I know I can reinvent myself. That's an empowering piece of knowledge to have."

Mollie, from TV executive producer to Mamamia Head of Lifestyle.

"I worked as the Publicity Manager for Married At First Sight as it grew into a cultural juggernaut. I eventually became the Executive Producer at the height of my TV career. Even now, I find it hard to believe I was running the biggest pop-culture phenomenon in Australia. But the dream I'd had at 25 was quite different in reality. I had achieved success, but it came at the sacrifice of my family and, in many ways, myself.

"I moved to another show hoping for balance — it wasn't there. As that show ended, I put feelers out to see how I could move out of TV. When a freelance podcast producing job came up at Mamamia, I had the chance to get my foot in the door. After a few weeks, they asked me to interview for Head of Lifestyle. Although I didn't have experience in every single area, my unique blend of skills across production, PR, and marketing made me adaptable. Thankfully, they saw that in me.

"I feel more invigorated and less stuck. My dreams changed as my life evolved, and that's okay. Every skill is transferable if you look at it through the right lens. Your path is allowed to keep changing tack."

Maddie, from lawyer to beauty marketing.

"Law was a conscious, prestigious choice. I worked my way up to Senior Associate over five years, but I felt increasingly unfulfilled. I started creating beauty content on TikTok as a creative escape. I realised I could talk about makeup for hours, and soon my legal job felt like I was just going through the motions. I wrestled with the fear of a new career, but I knew something had to change.

"I just immersed myself in learning and stayed curious. I accepted I'd be starting again at the bottom. I'd actually had coffee with my now-boss two years before the role in beauty marketing was a reality. I watched her brands grow from the sidelines until one day, the timing was finally right and she reached out. It was a moment where everything aligned.

"My happiness has shifted massively — I finish the day mentally stimulated instead of depleted. I was surprised by how useful my 'law brain' still is; skills like problem-solving and attention to detail are invaluable in marketing. You're allowed to change your mind, even if you've invested years and a HECS debt into your first career path. Feeling stuck is just useful information — tune into it."

Tessa, from consulting to small business founder.

"I enrolled in a law degree because I was a bright kid, but I finished it without any passion for the subject. I played the game long enough to work in firms in London and Sydney, but I knew from day one it wasn't for me. At an all-staff meeting, we had to answer the question, 'Who am I?'. My list included architecture and antique markets; it didn't include a single thing about law. The Managing Partner said, 'Well, I guess I'd better get recruiting.' I resigned within months.

"I first started a consulting business, but when COVID hit, my face-to-face training dried up. In the lockdown, my son turned two. I tried to make him a digger cake and it was so hard — I was cutting up cakes, crumbs were everywhere, and I was stuffing about for hours. That struggle was the spark. I realised busy parents needed a modern, easy way to create 'birthday magic,' and my business, Shape Tins was born.

"When my first shipment arrived, I had a total freak out because I didn't know how to actually sell them. I had to teach myself to be a designer, a social media strategist, and a bookkeeper. Being a small business owner isn't an easy road, but I get to meet my kids at the bus stop every day. I wish career advice focused on the life you want to live, not just the subjects you are good at."

Find the course that's right for you with Open Universities Australia. Call their team of student advisors on 13 OPEN, book a time that suits for them to call you, or start a live chat online today.

Featured image: Instagram/@ms.lune.

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