Pepperdine Graziadio Assistant Professor Dana Sumpter Discusses Planning Career Pivot for Ms. Career Girl

In response to the events of the last year, working women have been forced to drastically change their household routines, caretaking arrangements, and career. Dr. Dana Sumpter, associate professor of organization theory and management at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, authored an article for Ms. Career Girl on how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected women in the workforce, with a greater number of women leaving their jobs compared to the rest of the population. Simultaneously, those who remain in the workforce face additional challenges like proliferate job withdrawal, reduced hours and lack of childcare which are contributing to many’s intent to leave. Sumpter’s article discusses how nearly two years of disruptions has prompted many women to reflect on their priorities, and draws on her own experiences to provide tips to those who find themselves contemplating a major career move. 

Sumpter shares her own experience of making a major career change, outlining the circumstances that led her to choose to leave her career as an HR executive and into academia. She states that while a career change can feel uncomfortable, this time of great change has created an ideal environment to proactively determine a big career move. She also recommends that anyone thinking of taking a leap assess and reflect their current situation, direct efforts at developing new skills, network and persist.

The full article is on Ms. Career Girl.