“You’re never too old to restart”: Women on beating ageism and thriving at work

Today’s women have a clear vision of what they want to achieve in their careers, and the type of workplace that can best support them in doing so.

In our 2025 Her World What Women Want survey, we gathered responses from 300 women, ranging in age from their early 20s to 55 and above. Among them, 56.3 per cent say their top career goal is financial security. Yet beyond salary, women are also seeking meaningful intangibles – 55 per cent prioritise flexibility and freedom, while 53.3 per cent point to purpose and fulfilment as essential to their working lives.

But what happens when these priorities clash with certain age-based expectations?

The age-old mindset

While age is often seen as a sign of wisdom, many women experience it less as a badge of honour and more as a barrier in the workplace. Whether you’re a fresh-faced graduate or a seasoned professional, your age may quietly determine how you’re perceived at work.

Our survey found that 44.2 per cent of women feel judged or underestimated at work due to age. And it gets worse as we age, even discounting the years of experience gained over the years, with 75 per cent agreeing that older women face more pressure to prove themselves, despite being qualified or experienced.

When asked about age and discrimination, 77 per cent of the women surveyed say they believe age-based bias exists in Singapore workplaces.

However, Carol Lum, senior investment director at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in Singapore, notes that age discrimination may not always be intentional. With over 18 years of experience across government, private equity, consulting and entrepreneurship, she acknowledges that while age bias exists in some workplaces here, it is often shaped by the realities and assumptions of a previous generation.

“Many women, such as our mums and aunts, were full-time caregivers because childcare options were scarce. When they re-entered the workforce, opportunities often came in retail or F&B, which over time created a stereotype about ‘where older workers belong’. Today, even in industries with reskilling programmes, some still unconsciously equate youth with agility and older workers with ‘support roles’. It is less of a ‘you can’t do it’ mindset, and more of ‘I don’t picture you doing it’ – which can be just as limiting.”

Younger women also face doubts about their age. Customer success professional Evonne Li, who is in her 30s, recounts several occasions when her age and experience were questioned entering the workforce as a fresh graduate.

“During a client meeting, I was asked about my background and whether I had recently graduated. It was only later that I realised the client’s question was driven by genuine curiosity about the level of ownership I took on as a fresh graduate, rather than any doubt about my background,” she says.

The incident prompted her to reflect on how she could deliver value to her work, offer fresh perspectives and focus on delivering results, regardless of her years of experience – something she takes with her to this day.

Silent obstacles with big impacts

Unfortunately, the path towards women’s career goals is fraught with many obstacles. Our survey found that the top five challenges women face in their careers are not being valued or seen (48.3 per cent), gender bias (27 per cent), returning to work after a break (26.7 per cent), and age discrimination (26.3 per cent).

Carol cites common examples such as slower promotions, fewer big projects, and the assumption that you are less ambitious if you leave work early for family. Indeed, 63 per cent of women say that they are expected to choose between ambition and caregiving as they age, while 35.3 per cent feel that choosing family commitments has contributed to their career stagnation.

“Work is a major part of our identity, so being sidelined chips away at confidence,” says Carol.

Add that to managing work-life balance – 57.7 per cent of women surveyed agree that this is their top challenge – and it comes as no surprise that one in seven feel emotionally drained trying to juggle work, caregiving and personal well-being.

Carol has heard many such accounts:

“Many women still juggle eldercare and childcare alongside full-time work. I know women who have turned down promotions or left full-time work because caring for ageing parents and children was already a full-time job.”

While ageism may originate from external factors, constantly experiencing it, coupled with the pressures of life commitments, can result in further self-doubt, and perhaps, even self-sabotage. For instance, 66.6 per cent of women have questioned whether it is too late for them to pivot careers, start something new or return to school.

For women who return to the workforce after a period of time spent taking care of their children, they may come back to a very different environment, says Carol.

“Some may have to re-enter at lower levels, while others wrestle with self-doubt, thinking their skills are outdated when they are not.”

All this can result in career stagnation. Our survey found that the top reason women do not ask for a raise or promotion is because they don’t know how to (46 per cent). Also, 37.3 per cent of respondents prefer to adhere to cultural or workplace norms, while 33.7 per cent fear that doing so could be seen as being difficult.

Advocating for yourself

However, we don’t have to let age or others’ perceptions of age define us.

“Women can learn to leverage their personal strengths and position that as a professional advantage,” says Carol.

Evonne does this by proactive communication, showcasing her expertise, and providing data-driven insights.

“For anyone tackling these challenges, I recommend prioritising thorough preparation and consistent performance. Maintaining confidence in one’s skills and knowledge has also helped reinforce professional presence. As the saying goes, ‘Success is not about how others see you, but how you see yourself, and what you do with that.’”

Even as they age, women still hold on to career ambitions, but wish for companies to support their goals. In our survey, 71 per cent of women say they would like flexible work arrangements, and 52.7 per cent are looking for upskilling or training courses. Mental wellness support rank highly as well, with half of respondents indicating that they want some form of it.

Evonne advises advocating for one’s self:

“Seek out opportunities where you can contribute strategically and make a meaningful impact. Make your value clear by communicating your achievements with measurable results, and don’t hesitate to share your insights and perspectives regularly – even brief contributions can leave a lasting impression.”

Building a professional network also helps. She made sure to build professional relationships early on, and now has a network of colleagues and mentors whom she can reach out to for advice and support.

“This foundation of trust and respect helped ensure that my contributions were acknowledged, especially in contexts where unconscious biases might exist.”

“You’re never too old to start or restart,” says Carol.

The experience that women accumulate over the years is not just what is listed on CVs. Instead, she says that it’s perspective, resilience and problem-solving born from life itself.

“The skills you gain outside the office can belong at the boardroom table. And as you move, bring others with you. Shine a light, open a door, and share your seat. That’s how change sticks,” she adds.

Carol is optimistic that ageism against women in the workplace will get better in the future:

“We have to keep telling our stories and redefining what career success looks like. I believe that you can have pauses along the way and still thrive.”

Empowering yourself at work, no matter your age

Here’s how to succeed and grow at any stage of your working life.

1. Leverage your personal strengths and position them as a professional advantage.
2. Always stay prepared and maintain consistent performance.
3. Seek opportunities to contribute strategically and create meaningful impact.
4. Stay connected, build your professional network, and don’t hesitate to seek advice or support.
5. Reframe your mindset. It’s never too late to start or restart.
6. Experience gained from solving real-world problems fosters resilience and lends perspective for better decision-making.