From teaching in Western Sydney to becoming a fashion designer: Why the new year often spurs career change
Liandra Gaykamangu never anticipated she would be designing clothes as her full-time job.
The former English teacher worked at a high school in Campbelltown and “knows firsthand the hard work that goes into” education.
But she didn’t feel inspired.
“I never felt fully fulfilled. It was like I was ticking the boxes of life,” she said.
“It was the easy option as opposed to something I’d dreamt about.
“I actually really loved teaching, the kids were beautiful. I just didn’t love the restrictions of the curriculum and the paperwork.”
Ms Gaykamangu enjoyed being a teacher in Western Sydney, but didn’t feel “inspired”. (Supplied)
It wasn’t until during her maternity leave that the Yolngu woman decided to pour her energy into more creative work — her love of fashion.
“I didn’t want to be a head teacher or principal, and I didn’t want to be a classroom teacher for the next 50 years. That thought was the thing that made me think, ‘well I can’t sit here and complain about it, I can do something’.
“I asked myself what I loved, and that’s where I started.”
For seven years now Ms Gaykamangu has been running her eponymous lifestyle brand as a full-time business, based first in Wollongong, then East Arnhem Land and now Darwin.
Liandra Gaykamangu’s still experiences ‘pinch-me’ moments following her career change.
(Supplied: Micaela Chutrau)
Recently during Australian Fashion Week at her runway show, she realised backstage that one of her models was an ex-student of hers. It was a full circle moment.
“I’m so grateful to have been a teacher because I was able to tuck away lots of skills necessary that I’ve taken into other parts of my business.
“Understanding the gaps in opportunity within a career change is really important because I think it helps you to envision what your ultimate career will be.”
Ms Gaykamangu never envisioned her creative passion would lead her to debuting fashion shows on the world stage. (Supplied)
The performance review question that changed everything
Growing up in the Philippines, Joselle Reyes studied accounting.
“There was a lot of pressure from both society and my parents to choose a reliable career path and accounting was a job that could be a stepping stone to migrating to Australia,” she said.
For 14 years, Ms Reyes worked as an accountant and climbed the corporate ladder after moving to Sydney almost a decade ago.
Now she has gone down a completely different career path — she is a live wedding painter at ceremonies across NSW.
Joselle Reyes went from an accountant to a live wedding painter. (Supplied)
It wasn’t until COVID times that Ms Reyes picked up her childhood love for art again.
“I had a performance review at work and they asked where I saw myself in five years’ time. I wondered if I really saw myself as an accountant by that point.”
For the next two years Ms Reyes gradually made logistical and financial plans.
At the end of 2023, with the support her husband and workplace, she resigned and hasn’t looked back.
“My favourite part is seeing the couple’s reactions to the paintings I create of them on their big day.”
Now a live wedding painter, Ms Reyes acknowledged there has been a pay cut compared to her former career, though she hopes that is “temporary”. (Supplied: By Danny Photography)
Before making the full-time career jump, Ms Reyes wanted to make sure she had her permanent residency and Australian citizenship sorted.
She noted there had been a pay cut between going from accounting to creative work, though she feels confident about her financial future.
“I make about half of what I used to, but I’m happy with that considering it’s my first year of my business.
“My husband and I planned and budgeted for this, and I do see the potential to earn more in this role.”
She feels comfort to have accounting to “fall back onto if I need”, though Ms Reyes has no plans to ever return to the industry.
“I wouldn’t be here in Australia if I wasn’t an accountant, so I don’t regret it. But I’m really happy doing what I do now.”
Ms Reyes has no plans to ever return to the industry. (Supplied: Georgia Verrells)
New Year, new career
Kirsten Brumby has spent over 15 years working as a career coach, facilitating initiatives in leadership, small business, not-for-profit boards and organisations.
With this experience front of mind, Ms Brumby said it’s clear that the New Year period is a very common time for job searching.
“Organisations are usually not recruiting towards the end of the year, so they pick things back up in the New Year. And with employees as well, they typically want a break over Christmas before deciding if they are ready to leave their current role or make the move to change careers,” she said.
COVID, working from home, flexibility and finding meaning in work has changed people’s views of what they expect from a job, said Ms Brumby.
“For people interested in changing careers it’s about scanning lots of jobs, finding what piques your interest and matches your skill set and making the small steps necessary to creating the change.”
Ms Brumby, a career coach, said the new year period is a very common time for job searching. (Supplied)
Anecdotally speaking, Ms Brumby said the vast majority of people she has worked with who changed occupations have ended up happier with their work.
“It’s not about reaching a destination but finding a next step. What you’re doing now may change another two or three times in your career span, and that’s okay.”
For Ms Reyes, she too acknowledges that no career change is linear.
“If you’re looking for the perfect moment to do it, that perfect moment will never happen,” she said.
“It’s always rational to have a stable job, and I wouldn’t tell people to do this carelessly. There’s a lot of planning that comes into this decision. But it’s worth it.”
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