Liz Aiken

Age at time of shift

40

Gender

Female

Education level

Postgraduate

Universities attended

University of Manchester; Salford Uni

Shifted from

Research Specialist

Location

?

Salary

£0-£20,000

Years in old career

19

Shifted to

Charity Director

Location

?

Salary

£30,000-£40,000

Years in new career

4.5

Year of shift

unknown

What was your role in your old job?

I was a chemical analyst and information specialist in an Industrial R&D department - the company manufactured gaskets for the automotive industry.I had responsibility for managing apprentices/traineesI was senior trade union representative for staff union MSF. This involved negotiations with senior managemnt and giving leadership to staff members of the union. This was against a background of annual redundancy as our market share decreased and robotic lines were bought in.

What is/are your new role(s)?

Director of Cardiff Women's Aid - a Charity in Cardiff.

Why did you change?

At the same time as working for my previous employer I was a Borough Councillor and Chair of Housing. This, combined with my trade union activities, I was enjoying more than my place of employment. I needed fresh challenges. My son was now 17 and I had more scope to take risks as I had brought my son up as a single parent.So decided a degree was what I wanted to do, resigned and became a student!

Are you happy with the change?

Very.

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

Miss being part of a team - being at the top can be lonely. I miss the cut and thrust of politics and trade union activism.

How did you go about making the change?

Planned, thought, worried, discussed it with friends and colleagues whose judgements I valued.Lots of support from a senior officer at the Council who on reflection acted as a cross between a mentor and a life coach. Going to university was the catalyst, then I went on to do a Masters.I then was looking for challenging employment using academic and life skills - this job was about managing change as Cardiff Women's Aid was a collective before my appointment - they had never been managed and I had never been a Director!

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

Making that final decision to resign from a job I was bored in but didn't dislike.

What help did you get?

Friends - University Lecturers - my husband who I met during my 40th year - my year of change!

What have you learnt in the process?

Planned considered risk is good - set yourself a challenge and the journey is worth all the pain and hardships!

What do you wish you'd done differently?

Gone to university sooner.

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

Dream the dream then take positive action.