Listen to the full episode
This episode of The After Work Hangout is all about the growth opportunities that come with changing careers.
Darlene Ma transitioned from teaching in a classroom to managing projects in tech—a shift that pushed her to recognize her worth beyond productivity. Along the way, she broke free from inherited money myths, increased her income through side hustles, and realized the importance of rest and reflection. Listen in to hear how Darlene recovered from burnout to secure her financial future.
In this episode:
- What does a professional services manager at a software company do? (1:45)
- Why Darlene transitioned from being a teacher to a tech worker (3:43)
- Darlene’s experience of burnout and its impact (7:19)
- How Darlene got money-savvy after major life events (12:01)
- Build financial literacy through books, social media, and friends (15:17)
- Darlene’s top 3 tips for taking care of your financial health (21:39)
- Don’t undersell yourself when you change careers (24:57)
- How Darlene earned more and saved more with side hustles (26:45)
- Attract opportunities by voicing what you want in life (30:33)
- How passive income saves you energy (33:38)
- Tips for folks exploring a career move (36:02)
- Be genuine when you network to get real support (38:04)
- Reach your goals with mindful money habits (42:12)
- The privilege of solitude and “nothing time” (46:13)
- We are more than our productivity (48:28)
- How Darlene still supports children and youth without being a teacher (49:40)
Resources for learning about money
Here are resources that Darlene and Crystal used to start learning about money!
Books:
- Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together by Erin Lowry
- The Latte Factor: Why You Don’t Have to Be Rich to Live Rich by David Bach
- The Pink Tax: Dismantling a Financial System Designed to Keep Women Broke by Janine Rogan
YouTube Channels:
Instagram Accounts:
About the guest:
Darlene is a Senior Professional Services Manager at a software company and a former Toronto District School Board elementary teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and Health Studies from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Education from York University. Though she no longer works in a classroom, her passion still lies in education, specifically event planning and fundraising for education nonprofits. In her free time, Darlene can be found cooking, baking, traveling, initiating meetups, and making candles.
Connect with Darlene:
- Instagram: @sweetandsoy
- LinkedIn: Darlene Ma
About the host:
Crystal Lee is a career coach, writer, and workshop leader. As the founder of Relocal, she helps professionals clarify and communicate their strengths and values, so they can land their next opportunity. Since 2013, her clients have found dream jobs, settled in new communities, and successfully navigated major life transitions.
Crystal is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia. When Crystal isn’t helping job seekers and business owners pursue their unique definitions of success, she’s organizing community gatherings, sharing laughter yoga, or growing food for humans and pollinators.
Connect with Crystal:
- Website: relocal.ca
- Instagram: @relocal.ca
- LinkedIn: Crystal Lee
- Sign up for Crystal’s monthly newsletter
- Get the free job search assessment workbook
Credits:
- Editing and support by podcast manager Lindsay Curtis
- Podcast artwork by Alex Dewar
