Mike Howard

Age at time of shift

36

Gender

Male

Education level

College

Universities attended

None

Shifted from

Carpenter, Double Gazing Fitter

Location

South Somerset

Salary

£0-£20,000

Years in old career

20 years

Shifted to

Tenancy Support Worker

Location

South Somerset

Salary

£0-£20,000

Years in new career

almost a year

Year of shift

1996

What was your role in your old job?

I fitted conservatories and double glazing.

What is/are your new role(s)?

Helping vulnerable members of society to hold on to thier housing. I help to make sure my clients claim thier benefits, find appropriate work, and work closely with them to find their own solutions.

Why did you change?

I have absolutely no interest in plastic building material. Most important though, I never chose the "career", it was just something I did because I knew I was good at it at school.

Are you happy with the change?

Absolutely, but I'm just starting on my path. I'm also starting a life coach course in May.

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

I don't miss the dirt, the constant injuries, working in the rain and the cold and the heat, the early starts, the keeping up with the Jonses culture, having my van raided 3 times in one year, etc.
I do miss, ahhh now let me think about that.

How did you go about making the change?

Found myself on a counselling course, and decided to use the qualification.

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

Making the leap of faith from a full time job to a tempory 3 day a week job while my wife was pregnant with our first child.

What help did you get?

Total support from the wife and work colleagues. Apart from that, nothing.

What have you learnt in the process?

I've learned that I have enormous potential. There's more to me than a good tradesman and a problem with handwriting and spelling.

What do you wish you'd done differently?

I wish I'd done it earlier, but saying that, I also feel that my 20 years doing what I didn't want to do has prepared me to do the work I do want to do.

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

Don't let others' fear become your own, but soak up all the enthusiasm you can find.
Just do it. First find out what you want to do, then do it. Talk about it, take action on it, but don't just think about it.