Is it Too Late to Change Careers? | That’s a Good Question

Women continue to reconsider their plans, goals and priorities as a result of the pandemic. In fact, two-thirds are considering whether they should not just leave their jobs but change industries entirely. In this episode of That’s a Good Question, our listener finds herself trapped in this conundrum. She had a one single career goal: go to college and become a partner at a CPA firm. Eight years into her journey, it’s starting to feel like it could become a reality — but she suddenly finds herself questioning everything. We brought on expert Khadija Ben Hammada to help. Ben Hammada is the Chief of Staff to Chair of the Executive Board and Group CEO and the Global Head of Innovation, HR Talent Development and Recruiting for Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany. Through active problem solving, practical advice and shared experiences, we will help her determine what’s next and how to get there including ways to translate skills into new areas and strategies to navigate the overwhelm when managing a transition.     Khadija Ben Hammada Khadija Ben Hammada is the chief of staff of the Group CEO, Belén Garijo, and VP for talent acquisition and development. She has nearly 20 years of experience in global leadership and driving business and organizational transformation. Known for her practical, strategic, and team-oriented approach, she is a well-rounded executive who has consistently delivered value-added service in the pharmaceutical and life science sectors. Hammada has held several leadership positions within human resources, covering the large spectrum of talent acquisition, HR business partnering, learning & development, and people & organizational advancement. Her passion is to transform organizations and culture, embracing diversity and inclusiveness where “our differences are our superpowers.” Through multiple global assignments throughout Europe, Singapore, and the US, Hammada has embraced these differences and developed a true entrepreneurial, hands-on spirit and a distinct cultural agility. These experiences have benefited her understanding of people through a cultural lens, shaping her ability to drive impactful projects in diverse cultures.     Celeste Headlee Celeste Headlee is a communication and human nature expert, and an award-winning journalist. She is a professional speaker, and also the author of Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism—and How to Do It, Do Nothing, Heard Mentality, and We Need to Talk. In her twenty-year career in public radio, she has been the executive producer of On Second Thought at Georgia Public Radio, and anchored programs including Tell Me More, Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. She also served as cohost of the national morning news show The Takeaway from PRI and WNYC, and anchored presidential coverage in 2012 for PBS World Channel. Headlee’s TEDx talk sharing ten ways to have a better conversation has over twenty million total views to date. @CelesteHeadlee     Additional Resources: * Do you have a work/life problem? Let’s solve it! Tell us about your challenge here and you could be on an upcoming episode of “That’s A Good Question!” * Get free shipping on books by Women Amplified guests when you shop our podcast page at independent partner bookstore BookPeople