If you’ve ever stood at the edge of a new year feeling more uncertain than excited, you’re not alone. For many women, the turning of the calendar doesn’t just spark reflection — it can resurface the sting of a year where roles shifted, titles disappeared, or a long-held career identity suddenly felt shakier than ever. It’s a quiet kind of grief, one that rarely gets named but is widely felt.
And that’s exactly what Uma Thana Balasingam, Founder & CEO of The ELEVATE Group, has been hearing from women across the region — stories of restructuring, reinvention, and the messy middle between who we were and who we’re becoming. In the piece below, she opens up about her own “careerquake,” the lessons in the rubble, and why losing a title might just be the beginning of finding yourself again.
Here’s her powerful reflection.
As the year winds down, many women feel a mix of reflection and uncertainty. The approaching new year often brings anticipation, but for those experiencing upheaval, it can also evoke a deep sense of loss. Over the past months, my inbox has become a diary of stories – layoffs, reorganisations, quiet heartbreaks. The messages are varied, but the core theme remains the same: a sudden seismic shift in career and identity.
It’s common to think that our professional worth is tied to our titles or roles. Yet, when the ground beneath us shifts, whether through layoffs, restructuring, or unexpected changes – the core truth emerges: resilience isn’t built on titles, but on the people and purpose we cultivate along the way.
The Unexpected Seismic Shift
I had dreamt of becoming a CEO since I was nine years old, inspired by reading business magazines and imagining a future of leadership and impact. By the time I reached the top, I believed I’d find fulfilment at the summit. But the reality was different.
My careerquake arrived at the end of 2023, a sudden departure from the corporate world after 25 years. It wasn’t just losing a job; it was losing the version of myself that thrived in that role: the woman who woke up to a full calendar, who led strategic meetings, who people looked to for answers. I remember standing in my kitchen, staring at my laptop. No emails. No meetings. Only a blank Google Doc and a silence unfamiliar and unsettling.
A careerquake isn’t merely a layoff. It’s a seismic personal shift—a rupture that cracks open your sense of identity, routine, and purpose. It arrives unannounced, leaving you disoriented and questioning everything you once held dear. But what I’ve come to understand is that these moments, while painful, are also deeply instructive.
What Is a Careerquake?
A careerquake is a moment when everything you thought was stable begins to crumble. It shakes more than your income—it shakes the foundation of who you are and what you believe matters. It strips away the routines, the perceived achievements, and the sense of certainty. Like an earthquake, it arrives without warning, and its aftermath can be both chaotic and revealing.
But here’s a vital truth: if you’re experiencing a careerquake, you are not broken. And you are not alone.
The Hard Lessons in the Rubble
- Face the shake-up head-on.
Careerquakes aren’t problems, they’re opportunities disguised in chaos. Running from them means avoiding growth. The shifting ground is a sign you’re ready for something new. - Lean into the discomfort.
The quake signals that your old ways aren’t serving you anymore. Growth begins where discomfort resides. Get comfortable being uncomfortable; it’s where transformation happens. - Let go of your old identity.
You’re not the same person you were a year ago, so your career shouldn’t be static. These seismic shifts demand change – be willing to shed your former self to rise anew. - Stop playing small.
Careerquakes expose your limits – smash them. Think bigger. Don’t wait for permission to make bold moves. If you’re not shaking things up, you’re missing the point. - Rebuild from the rubble.
View the chaos not as failure, but as fuel for your next chapter. Start fresh, purpose-driven, and intentional. Use the wreckage to lay the foundation for something better. - Embrace uncertainty.
Waiting for everything to stabilise before acting keeps you stuck. Uncertainty is your ally; there, master opportunities and discover your true potential. - Learn to thrive amidst chaos.
Stability is overrated. The most successful thrive when unpredictability reigns. Be that person. A careerquake isn’t a threat, it’s your edge. - Redefine success on your terms.
Forget the traditional ideals of promotions and titles. Success in a careerquake is freedom, reinvention, and impact. Define your own version. - Use chaos to create opportunities.
Careerquakes tear down old systems – use the space to build anew. Whether a new role, side hustle, or full pivot, the quake signals your green light. - Stop waiting for the perfect moment.
It doesn’t exist. Waiting for everything to fall into place means waiting forever. The best moves happen when things are uncertain. Embrace the ride and make your move.
Reinvention Isn’t Just About Titles
When I left the tech world, I thought reinvention would be about building something new — a company, a brand, a title. It wasn’t. Real reinvention starts when the titles fall away — when you strip back the noise, the armour, and meet yourself again. Who am I without the role?
I won’t pretend I have it all figured out. On some days, I still panic — especially when that time of the month rolls around and all the bills are due. But that’s part of the journey. Because this might be my second act… and I’m certain there’s a third, maybe even a fourth, still in me.
Since leaving tech, I’ve built a life around elevating women in leadership and helping people turn career breakdowns into breakthroughs. And honestly, I’ve never felt more aligned — even in the chaos.
If this speaks to where you are right now, reach out. I’d love to talk reinvention. Reach out on uma@elevateasia.org