Overview
Call it the mid-year itch, fears around artificial intelligence, or a reevaluation during the relentless cost-of-living crisis, but many Australians are considering new careers. According to a recent survey, 56 per cent of employees would consider changing jobs over the next year if it led to improved lifestyle outcomes. ABS data showed that over one million workers changed jobs in the period February 2024 to February 2025. But when you're already working or have responsibilities like a family, stepping out to retrain can feel incredibly daunting. I mean, who has the time?
This is why Australians' approach to career pivots is starting to shift. Instead of pressing pause on work altogether, more people are figuring out how to build something new alongside what they already do through study-work setups.
Why is Flexible Study-Work Having a Moment?
If study can't fit around your schedule, your income and your energy levels, it's unlikely to stick. That's why online and self-paced options are growing in popularity. They allow you to keep earning while you're switching career gears.
For universities like the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), that model isn't new. The university has been delivering flexible education for more than 50 years (yep, pre-internet). It's evolved from distance learning into fully online degrees that can be accessed anywhere, at any time. The result is a study experience that doesn't require you to overhaul your entire life to make it work.
UniSQ also ranked number one in Australia for graduate starting salaries and rated five stars for graduates in full-time employment. This means you can maintain your earning power, even after switching careers. The university also has smaller class sizes, so students have more opportunities and one-on-one support from lecturers. Whether you're looking at undergraduate, postgraduate or research degrees, choosing a uni with flexible study options can make your career pivot easier.
What Does a Flexible Path Look Like?
A flexible study setup doesn't mean cramming lectures into every spare minute. When it works well, it's about having control over your time. You might watch a lecture before a morning shift, chip away at coursework on a weekend afternoon, or dedicate a couple of evenings a week to focused study. The result is a flexible routine that's actually sustainable and can help you reach your new chapter (without giving up the steady income needed in the current climate). Essentially, you don't have to step away from everything you know in order to change your life.
Switching industries, careers and jobs isn't always easy. From considering earning power to needing to take time out to study, having options is key to pivoting your career path in the most realistic way possible.
Explore flexible degrees at UniSQ
Image Credit: Getty Images/ Luis Alvarez