I have extensive experience in the charity sector, particularly in substance use, homelessness, and outreach. As an autistic woman, my last job was extremely challenging due to the exclusion I faced. The service was run by middle-aged men who belittled and undermined me while giving attention to younger front-line workers, which made it very difficult. A few colleagues were shocked by how I was treated. I threw myself into EDI work, spending five extra hours a day (on top of my paid hours) researching and writing articles. I ran the disability forum, contributed significantly to the neurodiversity/autism forum, wrote neurodiversity training, focused on intersectionality, and was nominated for multiple EDI awards, reaching the finalist stage several times. 

In my last two years, I also served as a Unite the Union rep, supporting several cases involving neurodivergent colleagues, which fueled my passion further, but also giving me loads of HR insight (and within my role I had to do a lot of typical HR tasks in relation to recruitment). I made up for all the time spent on Unite work as I didn't want to give them any ammunition, long days, but I learned so much. I loved the extra hours! Eventually, I had enough of the toxic environment and took voluntary redundancy. 

I now want to work in EDI and HR, willing to take a pay cut given my relevant industry experience. I understand the full employee promotion cycle from volunteer to senior management and have a wealth of transferable skills. With numerous qualifications and halfway through a CIPD Level 5, I feel frustrated that many employers seem rigid in their job requirements and fail to value transferable skills. 

I’m wondering whether it’s unrealistic to want to make a difference in HR or if I should stick to what I know. At 51, I also question whether it’s too late for a career change. I started in the industry in 2012, I have worked full-time since 1999, so this would not be my first career change.