#career-transitions

#career-transitions

Europe's freelance market has been expanding steadily, but the post-layoff acceleration is notable. According to a 2024 report from Malt, the number of highly skilled freelancers in tech across the EU grew by 18% year-over-year, with a sharp uptick among professionals who had been in full-time roles for five or more years before making the switch.

Once you withdraw from your 401(k) early, taxes (24 percent federal, plus applicable state taxes) and the 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty will take a big chunk of that $80,000. Your remaining funds-about $50,000-might still take you far, but also might go faster than you think.

That said, with people living longer, and as a result working longer, the timeframe for what can be considered "mid-career" is extending: "The number of employed Americans 65 and older ballooned more than 33% between 2015 and 2024, according to a CNBC analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By comparison, the labor force for all workers 16 or older has increased less than 9% during the same time period" (Harring, 2025).

Hudson began his pro career as a sixth-round pick for the Reds in the 2012 draft, and his MLB career consisted of 19 games over parts of four seasons. The catcher suited up for the Angels, Cardinals, and Mariners during the 2018-20 seasons, and after three full years in the minors, Hudson returned to the Show for a single appearance with the Mets during the 2024 campaign. Over Hudson's 33 plate appearances, he hit .167/.219/.200 with one double and one RBI.

Work has a way of waking up parts of us we thought we'd outgrown. You can move forward professionally, take on more visible roles, and be widely regarded as capable -and still find yourself unsettled by moments that seem, on the surface, fairly ordinary. A comment lingers longer than expected. A meeting leaves you tense for days. A role you worked hard to earn suddenly feels exposing rather than energizing.

I believe we've yet to fix the challenge around silos, but I have seen a lot of people being unafraid to start again and find their new potential, whether that's in a new workplace, a new country, or even a completely new sector. There's an appetite to learn more, know more, and do more, and honestly I love that. I think the bravery is also in the ability to share.

Planning a career pivot raises some big questions: in which direction should you move, how do you make the shift, and, crucially, when is the right time to do it? In 2025, Business Insider spoke to professionals who made mid-career pivots, including some who did so more than once. Have you made an unconventional career move? If you're comfortable discussing it with a reporter, please fill out this quick form.

To succeed in the long term, any business needs to refresh itself continually with new talent and new ideas. The Food Network is no exception. Unfortunately, bringing in new talent means that some familiar favorites end up getting squeezed out or simply move on to other ventures. Of course, the shoe is often on the other foot as well. Some chefs and hosts might move on for reasons of their own.

Victoria also said that the "industry has changed so much" that she wasn't able to give him "any advice," adding: "But I told him: 'Don't expect immediate success.' It's almost better if it isn't an immediate success."

The U.S. labor market is unusually tight, with limited hiring and firing prompting many office workers to reconsider their careers. A 2025 Flexjobs report found 62% of white-collar workers would switch to trade jobs for better stability and pay, while others aim to start businesses, retire early, move abroad, or take career breaks. Younger generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials, feel unprepared by education and training for the workforce.

Anna Ashurov has been busy. A 2018 member of Business Insider's rising stars list, Ashurov has changed companies twice since her stint at Goldman Sachs, going from the investment bank to the world's largest beer brewer and then to the world's largest asset manager, where she's worked since 2021. Ashurov now oversees growth strategy and client relationships for Aladdin, BlackRock's widely used risk analytics and portfolio management tech. She told Business Insider, she's focused on "driving growth holistically" instead of structuring deals and advising clients.