“I no longer wanted to settle for a job that I didn’t enjoy.”

What work were you doing previously?

I worked full-time in a lab as a chemist. 

What are you doing now?

I now work part-time as a labourer for a bespoke furniture company. 

Some days I’m in the workshop helping make the furniture, and others I’m helping install it. 

I have also recently set up my own New Vision Therapy practitioner business which I do on my days off. New Vision Therapy is a gentle, hands-on therapy that removes bodily restrictions that negatively impact the nervous system. 

Why did you change?

There was a long list of reasons but it really came down to the fact that I didn’t find the lab work fulfilling or interesting anymore. 

Unfortunately, I had felt like that for a while and it was taking a toll on me mentally.

I’d reached a point where I no longer wanted to settle for a job that I didn’t enjoy. 

I didn’t want to wait until I retired to be happy!

How did you choose your new career?

I had no idea what I wanted to do, but knew I didn’t want to work in science anymore. 

After many desperate Google searches on switching careers, I came across the Careershifters website. Everything I read on the website just resonated with me and I signed up to the Career Change Launch Pad.

I tried things out in areas that interested me e.g. being creative, physically active and helping others. These projects helped me realise that I enjoy being hands-on and making things. 

I then tried different jobs related to this e.g. tiling, blacksmithing, bench joinery and working as an electrician.

I enjoyed them all but bench joinery came out on top. 

During the Launch Pad, I also realised that I wanted a portfolio career so I could pursue multiple interests. I’d been working with case studies while learning New Vision Therapy and enjoyed seeing how much the sessions helped clients. 

I decided to start my own business as a New Vision Therapy Practitioner so I could help people improve their health.

Are you happy with the change?

Yes, totally! 

My new job and business feel more like me and I look forward to going to work. I’m much happier in myself too.

What do you miss and what don't you miss?

I miss the salary of my previous job as I’ve taken a pay cut to work part-time, and I’m currently building up my client base for my business.

I don’t miss working full-time. I enjoy working the hours that I do and having the flexibility to work more if I want to or not.

How did you go about making the shift?

When I knew I wanted to work in a trade I posted in local Facebook groups asking to speak with various trades people. 

My now boss commented on one of my posts and we arranged a call so I could learn more about his job. I thought it sounded interesting and was offered a chance to go to his workshop and experience being a joiner for a day. 

I enjoyed the day and decided it was a career I wanted to pursue. I knew he was looking for labourers so I asked if he thought I would be a good fit and if I could be considered for the role. I was offered the job so I handed in my notice at my lab job. And as they say the rest is history.

I then launched my New Vision Therapy business two months after starting my new job. I’d completed enough workshops at this point to work with clients so all I needed to sort out was insurance and equipment.

How did you develop (or transfer) the skills you needed for your new role?

I had a very basic level of knowledge of woodwork from my Product Design and 3D Design classes in school and college. 

But I was fortunate that my new boss was happy to hire me with pretty much no skills or experience in woodwork/furniture making. He and the team have been supportive in helping me learn and develop my skills. 

To become a New Vision Therapy Practitioner, I completed multiple workshops and performed case studies to demonstrate my learning, and improve my skills.

What didn’t go well? What wrong turns did you take?

When I first started testing out my ideas by doing shift projects, I wasn’t honest with how I evaluated them. 

For instance, I found myself rating some things as high for enjoyment even though I didn’t really enjoy them. I rated them high because I felt like I ‘should’ enjoy them. This then affected my next shift projects until I started rating them honestly.

How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?

I’d been saving money the months before I handed in my notice at work. 

I also calculated my essential expenses to work out the minimum salary I needed to earn to cover them each month. 

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

Self-doubt due to my lack of knowledge and experience in bench joinery. 

I felt like an idiot a lot of the time, not knowing the names of common tools or how to use them. 

However, I am slowly getting better at it and gaining more confidence.

What help did you get?  

I’ve had a lot of support from friends and family with my business, either letting me practice on them or helping me distribute flyers.

What resources would you recommend to others?

The Career Change Launch Pad.

An electrician introductory day, provided by Tradeskills4u.

An organisation called The DIY school.

Social media, as a way to meet people.

What do you wish you'd done differently?

Sometimes I wish that I’d gradually reduced my hours at my old job to ease into the career change and to have a bigger financial buffer. 

What would you advise others to do in the same situation?

If you want to change careers but don’t know what to do, network. 

Get to know people whose job sounds interesting to you, ask them if you can shadow them or work with them for a day. You’ll only know whether that career is for you by trying it, not by thinking about it. 

Don’t be afraid to try new things or follow what lights you up.

Also, surround yourself with people who can support you when things get tough. There will be weeks when you feel like giving up or you aren’t making any progress with your career change. That is the time to reach out and get support.

To find out more about Rachel's services, click here.

Rachel took part in our Career Change Launch Pad. If you're ready to join a group of bright, motivated career changers on a structured programme to help you find more fulfilling work, you can find out more here.

What lessons could you take from Rachel's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.