A career pivot story about rebuilding after redundancy — from risk consultant to magistrate and PhD researcher.

When a long-term relationship ended in her twenties, Pip Symington chose adventure. She landed a job in Asia and spent twenty years working across Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Japan as a risk consultant and loving every minute of it. She said yes to everything, until one day it was gone.

Made redundant and reeling Pip turned to friends and a bit of therapy before redesigning the shape of her working life. She no longer wanted one all-consuming thing. Today, it's family, study, and service that brings fulfilment.

Summary

Pip Symington spent two decades as a risk consultant across Asia before being made redundant — a pain she describes as like "being dumped for the first time." In her wobbly middle, she rebuilt through therapy, a happiness bowl exercise, and the support of friends who helped her see redundancy as an opportunity. Now back in Oxford, Pip has built a portfolio career that balances her PHD research, teaching music, and volunteering as a magistrate. Her story is proof that a career crossroads can lead to more adventures.

Key Topics

- The emotional toll of redundancy and losing your professional identity

- Using therapy and a "happiness bowl" to rediscover what brings you joy

- Building a portfolio career after a career break — balancing study, service, and family

- What it's like to volunteer as a magistrate in the UK justice system

- Why it's never too late to go back to study — and why midlife is the ideal time

Links

- Interested in volunteering as a magistrate? Find out more: https://magistrates.judiciary.uk/how-to-volunteer/

- The Wobbly Middle on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-wobbly-middle/id1767850643

- The Wobbly Middle on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YhwsBch8Q9vAOUBBfusIv

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- Find out more about The Wobbly Middle: https://thewobblymiddle.substack.com/about?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=ep21-pip-symington

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If You Enjoyed This Episode

You might also our Season 1 episode From Lab to Lifeline with Dr Emily Connally. Like Pip, Emily is an Oxford-based woman who channelled her skills into community service — founding a food bank at the school gate that's now reshaping how local networks respond to food waste. Both episodes show how the wobbly middle can lead to something that serves not just you, but the world around you.

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