If your first career is leaving you bored, empty, worn out or unsatisfied, it may be time to change career. But where to begin?
Unlike our parents and grandparents’ generations, when a job was more often than not ‘for life’, it’s de rigeur these days to change career – often, more than once. But what does it take to make that leap? Urban Massage asks a few people who’ve come out the other side…
Grainne, 28 was an English Literature teacher for a few years, before deciding she’d had enough of the classroom and needed something totally different. She happened upon Reflexology, got qualified at her local college, and set up her own business from home two years ago.
She says, ‘I have never regretted it – seeing how much pleasure a reflexology massage can give, especially if that person is particularly stressed out and then leaves the session floating on air, is the most satisfaction I have ever had from any job! My top tip? Plan ahead (I studied the market, saved a little and checked out the competition!), but don’t feel afraid to take the plunge.’
Katherine, 37, woke up one day with the urge to do something wildly different. Having worked in international banking for 15 years, Katherine was becoming increasingly disillusioned with her work/life balance, job satisfaction, and decided to retrain as a learning support assistant.
Of her decision, she says, ‘I haven’t looked back. The studying while working part was hard, but now I’m in a great job, part of a really good team, and really enjoying what I do, and can see that I genuinely make a difference to the kids that I work with.
‘I am able to work only while my daughter, Ruby, 7, is in school, and I honestly feel like a different person! I make less money than before, but you adapt, and there are more important things than money. I would urge anyone considering a career change to go for it, but with eyes wide open – change of any kind is never going to be easy.’
Dan, 32, did the opposite. He swapped a job that was exciting but poorly paid – he was teaching English as a Foreign Language abroad (and has lived and worked in Korea, Italy, India and Spain) – for a more stable, better-paid proposition in a London accountancy firm.
‘My advice? Listen to your inner voice’, says Dan. ‘There’ll always be someone that thinks they know what you want, but listen to your gut. I loved my life, don’t get me wrong – but since settling in London I’ve met my gorgeous girlfriend, I can afford a decent flat and I feel like I’m finally putting some money towards building a future’.
As somebody very wise once said, opportunities don’t happen. YOU create them.