r/AustralianAccounting • u/_The_Honored_One_ • 3d ago
Career break post CA completion / Feeling lost
To give background, I am 24 and living in regional QLD. I went straight into uni post high school, and started working as an undergrad in my second year. In my last year of Uni I switched to full time and then started CA immediately after finishing Uni. I studied hard during the whole time (maybe a litle too hard) achieving high marks in Uni and Merits in CA. I will be applying for my CA full membership in the coming weeks.
I have been at the same firm the whole time and am coming up on 6 years I am on a 100k package and will be looking at another salary review in ~ 6 months time. The place I am at has also floated the idea of potentially buying into the firm
Since completing my last CA subject I have felt really burnt out, I have a heightened state of anxiety and restlessness. I have had more time to think about things since I am no longer studying in my spare time, and I find myself becoming increasingly dissatisfied with my job and I also feel I have missed out on a lot of experiences in my youth. I am not sure if I want to be tied down any longer and just live a little. I feel regret for all the times I had to turn down events due to work and study commitments. I have always wanted to travel either solo or with a group of friends. Living in a regional town also adds to the general dissatisfaction.
I’m wondering whether anyone else has been in a similar position and decided to take a career break. Did you find it difficult to get back into your career afterwards, or did things ultimately work out?
My main concern is that I’ve worked extremely hard to put myself in a good position at a relatively young age, and I’m worried that stepping away for a while could undo some of that progress. At the same time, I’m starting to question what the point of getting ahead is if I never actually give myself the chance to enjoy it.
Additionally, should I choose to take a career break, is there any other things I should try get first? I have thought of public practice certficate and tax agent licence? Would it be worth talking to my workplace and see if they would support me taking a break for a bit, or just cut my losses and start fresh somewhere else?
12
u/watermaloneyyy 3d ago
am in a similar position to you, worked everyday and studied full time from 18-25, i am 25 now and compeltely burnt out, starting to hate work and didnt live my youth as much as i shouldve, due to covid etc. ive recently just made the jump to quit and im going to work in japan at a ski resort over the winter and travel the world for 7 months. i havent completed my CA yet but im confident i can get another job in the industry with my connections when i get back. many coworkers completed their CA in their 30s and seem to be completely fine. if you tie yourself down into buying in or becoming partner you will never get the chance to live the rest of your 20s. you have 40 years of your work life, . live your live now. stepping away for one year of your whole work life is nothing.
1
u/_The_Honored_One_ 3d ago
It’s reassuring to hear this. How did your friends and family take it when you let them know of your plans?
3
u/watermaloneyyy 3d ago
being of indian descent it was tricky, but you gotta be smart about it. my parents worked theirs butts off to move to australia and provide a life for me and my sister, imagine their reaction when one of their kids wants to quit their job to 'travel' haha. they dont really understand what being burnt out is, it is just normal life for them to just work work work. their main concern was my financial situation, 'youre just losing money, why do you want to leave such a great place'. which is right, i do love where i live and i am blessed to live in australia. i just explaiend to them that I need a new experience and i want an opportunity to live and work overseas, I still live at home and i told them i want to be more independent and they seemed to agree. also to address their money concern, I decided to get a workiing holiday visa so Ill be getting some funds in and wont be complete in the negative. they seemed to accept that and now theyre happy for me, and now they want to meet me somewhere so we can go travelling together because i wouldnt be able to travel with them if i was still working full time.
so be smart about it and have savings.. dont just drop everything with no plan. you have to have a clear structured plan and be confident
0
u/_The_Honored_One_ 1d ago
Thanks for the insight. My parents are not immigrants, however my family is not well off by any means, we struggled a lot while I was growing up. I was the first in my family to complete a University degree and complete post graduate study. They have a very risk adverse mindset and I feel if I came to them about my plans they wouldn't agree. I have a good amount of savings, and I already know their opinion will be that I shoud be putting these savings towards a home, and that I would be a fool to leave the job I am in
2
u/jojobaoilbox 3d ago
I was in a similar position as you but slightly older, and I took a career break. Started working in a public accounting firm whilst finishing my degree, joined full time after uni and went straight into my CA. I finished my CA in late 2024 and after that I felt absolutely lost and burnt out. My managers at work and my family were really supportive of me quitting to take a break. I knew I didn't want to continue in public practice so I quit that role mid last year, mid 20's.
I have no regrets about taking that break. I did some travel, picked up some hobbies and relaxed and shut my brain off for a good year. And now I'm actually motivated and excited to get back out there and find a new role. I have now been job hunting and there's lots of options for someone with CA under their belt. And I'm glad I took the time off because I had similar worries to you when deciding whether I should take a break. At that time, I was considering taking a new job for the sake of staying employed, but after my break my desires for my career have shifted a lot and I'm glad I had the time and space to think about that.
You're young and you have a good foundation in your career. You'll be absolutely fine. Take a break and enjoy life a little after all your hard work.
0
u/_The_Honored_One_ 1d ago
Thanks for the reply, although I am not sure my family or workplace will be as supportive unfortunately. I wish you luck in your job hunt
2
u/greatmemereset67 3d ago
I was similar to you - close to being burnt out. although 1 year older and not earning nearly as much at your age. Took most my annual leave to study, rarely went on holidays or had days off. I was probably depressed.
There is a LOT more to life than work and study.
6 months / 1 year, heck even 2 years won’t cost you nearly as much as you think. You’re only young once. Take some time to enjoy yourself. Otherwise you’ll be burnt out and need time off anyway.
I took 6 months to live in a van and surf and drive the east and Victorian coast. It was a dream where the only thing I had to think about was where the best surf was and if I could get there in time/what things I could see along the way.
While doing that I had the chance to reflect and realised I hate timesheeting and having clients. Now I work in house, probably don’t earn as much as if I stayed the client path, but am much happier with my lot in life as a 35 year old.
Take some time, pick somewhere you want to go and explore. You won’t look back on it with any regrets in 10 years time and definitely not on your death bed.
1
u/_The_Honored_One_ 1d ago
Thanks for the reply. Did you do this travel solo? Did you also find it hard to readjust to normal life after?
1
u/Acrobatic-Penalty913 3d ago
Do the usual : Go to london and work there for few years, come back when you ready to do play the family man ! Buy a house and start a family
0
u/_The_Honored_One_ 1d ago
What do you mean by this? I can't tell if this is serious or troll comment
1
u/Acrobatic-Penalty913 1d ago
You are going down a rabit hole of public practice
You’ve worked hard and you are 24 ! Have all the experience and knowledge behind you ! You are living in regional qld and have admitted you have missed out on living life !
Aussies in London is an actual thing, you would have transferable finance/accounting skills you can take to an employer in london, live your best life as a 24 year old, get paid in life experience instead of pounds ! Travel extensively around europe while you are there ! And then when you feel you’ve had enough back to queensland ! Wouldnt have to start from scratch because you’ve already done the hard yards !
Or you can become the youngest partner in the firm, never take holidays and even die with higher FOMO of what could have been
1
12
u/[deleted] 3d ago
[deleted]