Nicola Welham

Age at time of shift

25

Gender

Female

Education level

Graduate

Universities attended

University of Leeds

Shifted from

PR Executive

Location

London

Salary

£20,000-£30,000

Years in old career

3

Shifted to

Spanish teacher

Location

Buckinghamshire

Salary

£20,000-£30,000

Years in new career

1

Year of shift

2007

What was your role in your old job?

As a PR Executive I was responsible for writing press releases, newsletters and articles for publications. I also dealt with journalist requests for information, from the UK, France and Spain.

What is/are your new role(s)?

I am now completing my teacher training to be a Spanish and French teacher in a secondary school.

Why did you change?

I was unhappy working in a business environment. I hated spending all day in front of a computer and not dealing with people face to face. I also had little motivation as I felt I wasn't doing anything worthwhile - I wasn't proud of what I was doing.

Are you happy with the change?

It is the single best thing I have ever done. I love my job and my new role in life. I am working harder than I ever thought I could but love every inute of it. I am challenged a lot more but the rewards are more than worth it.

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

I miss being able to leave work at work and just have the evening off. I don't miss the awful commute to work on the tube!

How did you go about making the change?

After attending a Careershifters workshop I had the energy and drive to start researching how to get into teaching. I had applied for a course, had an interview, got a place and left my old job in less than a week - it was so easy when I finally decided to go for it.

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

The most difficult thing about changing was having the courage to go for something completely unknown and give up on a safe job.

What help did you get?

There was a great feeling of support from Careershifters - just by knowing other people who were in the same position really helped. The TDA (Teachers Development Agency) also offered lots of advice including a phone discussion with a teacher to talk through the pros, cons and other processes.

What have you learnt in the process?

I've learnt that it is so important to follow your dreams and go for what you really want. If you are doing something you want to, it doesn't seem hard and you will enjoy the journey getting there. I have also learnt that I have reserves of skills, talents and ambitions that I would never have discovered if I hadn't shifted my career.

What do you wish you'd done differently?

Sometimes I wish I had done it earlier, but I feel my work in industry did give me a number of life skills which are useful in my new career. It also made me appreciate having my dream career a lot more!

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

Don't keep making excuses not to do want you want. There will always be excuses not to, but these can be easily overcome if you are following your dreams. Do lots of research into what you want to do, and be patient, if it doesn't happen over night then its worth waiting for.