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A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can shake the very foundation of your professional identity. For many of us, it raises an overwhelming question: “What now?” But sometimes, what looks like a full stop is really just a change of direction. In my case, that shift opened the door to retraining and even contemplating a Master of Science in Finance. This is the story of my career change with MS—and what it might look like for you.

Accepting the Shift: When Your Job No Longer Fits

A chronic illness like MS doesn’t always play nicely with rigid schedules, commutes, or physically demanding roles. For years, I worked in technical field service, until my MS symptoms—particularly fatigue and balance issues—made that impossible. I had to stop and reassess.

That crossroads is familiar to many. Changing jobs with MS is often less about choice and more about necessity. But it’s also a moment of incredible self-discovery.

You can learn more about this type of adjustment in Working with MS, a post that details purpose and perseverance.

Skills Inventory: What Can You Still Do (and Love Doing)?

Before rushing into retraining with multiple sclerosis, it helps to take stock. What skills are still viable? What gives you joy? Surprisingly, I discovered that while my physical stamina had declined, my analytical mind remained sharp. That was the clue I needed.

A career change with MS often hinges on this: finding roles that suit our new abilities while still offering fulfilment. A career in finance had always intrigued me. The numbers, the structure, the sense of order. More importantly, it offered roles that could be done from home, at my own pace.

More on workplace flexibility is covered in Understanding MS at Work, a guide that outlines employer expectations and disability accommodations.

Exploring Education: A Masters Degree in Finance?

It might sound ambitious, but I began exploring the idea of earning a master of finance online. Today, many reputable universities offer flexible, remote options for mature students. An online masters in finance lets you retrain without the burden of long commutes or inaccessible campuses.

Even if you don’t commit to a full degree, taking short finance modules can sharpen your skills, boost your confidence, and pave the way toward something bigger.

Managing Work and Study is a helpful guide from the MS Trust.

Session Online, Not On-Campus

Studying online means you can adjust your learning around your symptoms. You can rest when needed and work when your brain feels sharpest. For me, that’s early morning, right after my cup of tea. This format was key to making my career change with MS manageable.

Support and Adjustments

Many institutions understand chronic illness and offer accommodations: extended deadlines, accessibility tools, and counselling. It’s worth asking about these when researching your masters degree in finance.

Side Hustles and Safety Nets

While studying, you might need to supplement your income. That’s where a well-crafted side hustle can be both empowering and MS-friendly. For ideas, see How I Built a Side Hustle, where I explore MS-friendly business models.

Remote gigs—like freelance accounting, financial blogging, or tutoring—let you apply new skills in real-world contexts. They’re also a great way to test if finance is the right path for your career change with MS.

How to Rock Your Career While Rolling With MS also offers motivational strategies for work transitions.

Financial Stability: Balancing Income and Benefits

As you shift careers, understanding your financial safety net is vital. You may be eligible for disability benefits for MS while studying or working part-time. These benefits can ease the financial strain as you adapt to a new career.

A career change with MS often involves not just retraining, but also managing the emotional weight of uncertainty. Sound financial planning—and benefits support—can offer stability.

Identity and Purpose: The Distinguished Professor of Finance Within

You might not feel like it, but retraining gives you back something precious: purpose. I started to see myself differently. No longer just a person with MS, but someone with potential.

In one of my journalling entries, I wrote: “What if I become the distinguished professor of finance in my own story?” Not for a university, but for my family, my blog readers, and myself.

That’s the power of a meaningful career change with MS—it helps redefine who you are and what you can offer.

For more on remote productivity, see Remote Work with MS.

From Diagnosis to Redefinition

Your old job may be gone, but your new career could be richer and more meaningful. One door shuts. Another opens. Consider it not a limitation, but an opportunity to align your work with your wellbeing.

Conclusion: Redefining Success with MS and a Master of Finance

Changing your career path doesn’t mean giving up—it means recalibrating. A career change with MS is about discovering what still lights your fire and following it through new training, flexible roles, and—if you choose—an academic route like a master of finance.

Whether it’s through an online masters in finance, short courses, or a simple mindset shift, the goal is the same: to thrive, not just survive.

Explore more on how employers can adapt at How to Support an Employee, or revisit the essence of persistence in Career Purpose and Perseverance.

For broader context, Work It: Redefining Career is an inspiring read for anyone contemplating their next step.

Your career change with MS isn’t a step back—it’s a strategic, courageous leap forward.

This article is from my Work – Finance and MS category of supportive articles.