Recent research shows that women’s career transition rates have increased by 54% compared to men (46%). Another report found that 88% of women are “open to new opportunities.” The top reasons for changing jobs are to get a better salary, to work for a company that matches your goals and has a higher mission. And I’m sure we’ve all heard many times that so many women have completely quit the workplace to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.
A career change is especially revolutionary for Black women, given several key factors that impact wealth accumulation, mental health, and family life. Here are some reasons why pivoting your career as a Black woman can be one of the boldest and most powerful cultural change moves ever, and why you should consider it.
quality of life
Black women face unique challenges when it comes to building wealth, and a major part of the problem is pay inequality. This year, we found that black women would have to work seven more months after the new year to earn the same salary as non-Hispanic white men in 2023.
Additionally, the average black woman in a full-time, year-round professional job is typically paid 68 cents for every dollar earned by a non-Hispanic white man. This means black women will earn $22,120 less annually (a whopping $884,800 difference compared to the average wage). In a 40 year career. )
Given these numbers, it’s clear that as ambitious black women who want more for ourselves and our children, we have no choice but to seek out or create better opportunities. Often this means changing careers, building a business from scratch, or pursuing a side hustle (which turns into a full-time business) so that you can eventually earn the money you need to live comfortably. means. Many of us literally have no choice if we want to survive and thrive.
Realize your career
Many of us not only want to earn enough money to be financially free (or at least be able to pay our bills), but also to challenge ourselves and make the most of our skill sets. , I also want to pursue a career that allows me to apply. Unique ways to achieve goals and tasks.
We want to be ourselves, we want to wear our hair in any style we choose without being questioned or penalized, and we want to be respected and rewarded for the actual work that contributes to a company’s multi-million dollar profits. I hope to get it.
Some of our favorite go-getter professionals have made the leap for the better. From influencer and entrepreneur Monroe Steele, who retired from the physical therapy field. “It got to the point where I thought I was going to burn out,” she said in the video. “For some reason, because I had already requested time off and my hours were already reduced, they were stressing me out and making me want to give them more time to bring in this new therapist.” I saw it.”
“They asked me to reduce my hours and take a pay cut for three to four months,” she continued. “I also didn’t understand why they were asking only me. If this was for the betterment of the company, why didn’t everyone come up with suggestions within an hour or two?” Get another job in that field Instead, she continued to build her own brand, now working with major retailers and fashion houses, and has the flexibility of time to travel and enjoy life, tapping into her creative side for a living. I have been able to do that.
Other women who have moved on to other careers in search of fulfillment include former first lady Michelle Obama, financial advocacy entrepreneur Tiffany Arich, life coach Joel Crawford, marketer Jade Powell, They include gospel singer Yolanda Adams. The reason why so many women are simply guided by a higher purpose, let go of a job they put their all into, or are forced to look for solutions to find happiness and balance in their work life. Just change your job or career.
radical freedom of self-expression
Code switching. Constant microaggressions. Compete in a rigged game. Increased harassment and violence in the workplace. (Yes, that’s true.) Black women who just want to go to work, do their job, get paid for their work, and get home safely are tired of it. And with the pandemic came the terrifying but enlightening realization that we no longer have to endure pandemics. (Hello, big resignation!) And our mental health can’t take it anymore either.
Experts believe that such extreme stress can lead to a condition known as “black fatigue,” which can “cause extreme fatigue and lead to mental, physical, and spiritual illnesses that are passed down from generation to generation.” We have pinpointed the effects of things.
For a black woman to quit in order to completely pivot to something different is an empowering act of rebellion. This will pave the way for the next generation of black female professionals to say no to the terrible mess that is being thrown at them. It’s fearlessness in a world of work where sometimes excellence isn’t even valued.
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Featured image by Delmaine Donson/Getty
