Speaker 1

After college I worked in a bank to make money. It’s a great job if you like sitting at the same desk every day, surrounded by the same familiar faces. I got plenty of annual leave and the work itself was quite demanding, but one day I woke up and realised that it didn’t amount to much, and was really pretty pointless. Handing in my notice was the next logical step. I set up as a freelance photographer – a job I’d always dreamed of. After the first six months or so of sheer panic, I feel much calmer; this will always be a risky job, but ultimately a far more rewarding one – not financially, mind you!

Speaker 2

The family car sales business was the obvious and safe career route for me, even though we didn’t always see eye to eye. I’d no complaints about the money, but that didn’t stop me looking at what other people were doing and thinking ‘Now that’s something I’d really like to get my teeth into’. And that’s how I got into rally driving really. I went to rally school part-time, then got signed up by a rally team. That’s when I left the motor business, not without a bit of soul-searching! I miss the family, but looking at myself now – travelling the world, maybe even having the chance to make millions, living on the edge – what’s not to love?

Speaker 3

I’ve always worked in the music industry – but was never made to feel very welcome in the marketing department. I guess my face didn’t fit although I was doing well enough. Then by chance I heard a band playing in my local venue and thought they were great – I got them signed up and suddenly realised this was exactly the type of work that suited me and my abilities – searching for talent, giving kids a start in the business I loved. So, after a while I left the company to do just that – on a freelance basis. Pay’s not bad – it’s possible to negotiate good percentages – but that’s not why I o it.

Speaker 4

I worked in a busy studio as a radio copywriter – it was challenging and fun, but frustrating because it wasn’t leading anywhere career-wise. I was spotted by one of the radio executives – he liked my way with words and gave me the chance of a presenting slot on a general interest show. I jumped
at, but underestimated the skills involved – without training it’s proving a steep learning curve! It would’ve been better to work as an intern for free for a while to learn the ropes, but it’s all about seizing the moment – too good an opportunity to miss. Now I’ve got a foot in the door, I’m pretty optimistic about making a go of it

Speaker 5

I had a responsible job that I’d worked hard for – most people would consider being an eye surgeon pretty rewarding, both financially and emotionally. I wasn’t keen to leave, but the long shifts and the sheer volume of patients got me down. I wanted to use my knowledge and experience in other ways. I did some research on the effects of sunlight on children’s eyes and eventually started up my own business. We manufacture a range of sunglasses designed to protect children’’s eyes against harmful rays. ‘m my own boss, so I call the shots, which suits me down to the ground. I have to be strict with myself about taking holidays though!

Speaker 1
I wanted to study medieval culture at university, but needed to earn some cash first, so I thought working as a plumber might help me achieve that. However, the idea of a short plumbing course in my own country didn’t appeal, so when I discovered one in an old European town I jumped at it. I’m bilingual so I knew language wouldn’t be an issue. But what made it perfect was all the ancient ruins in the area, which I was just itching to explore! Once there, I felt really driven to do well – there was just this new sense of optimism. I even went on to be the college’s best apprentice!

Speaker 2
My brother and I had always played a lot of tennis, and I was about to take it up professionally but then injured my leg quite badly and had to drop the idea. So I upped sticks and got on a plane to do a sports science degree at a really old and prestigious university. It gave me a real sense of helping the next generation of top athletes to achieve their dream even if mine had somehow changed direction. And they were really grateful for that, so their recommendations opened a number of doors for me once my studies had finished. That was incredibly valuable.

Speaker 3
I’d always been a great fan of detective stories and I suppose I’d always imagined myself being the one who solves the crime and catches the bad guy. Then quite by chance, I happened to read about a forensic science course in the States and realised it was my big chance as it would get me exactly where I’d always wanted to go. My family couldn’t get over it when I announced my plans. But the great bonus has been that loads of films are made in the area where I’m living, so I’ve got into that art form now. I’d never really seen myself as a movie buff before!

Speaker 4
I’d lived in the city all my life and had plenty of friends there but we were all rushing around frantically as city-dwellers do. Anyway, I’d been reading about problems with the environment and felt increasingly I wanted to do something; but what? Then I discovered a course where I could train in agriculture and rural development, so off we went – me and my family. The area also offered perfect opportunities for me to apply my new-found knowledge, and I realised I no longer needed to rely on anyone to give me a job. We could go anywhere where I could set up by myself. It was exactly what we all needed.

Speaker 5
I’d just qualified as a dentist and knew I could earn good money locally but the kind of jobs that were available just didn’t appeal, somehow. And the only courses that tempted me, if I wanted to top up my qualifications, meant going abroad; so off I went. [25] In fact, even though the course I chose was in English, we were strongly encouraged to learn the local language as part of our studies. And that turned out to be the best thing I ever did, because knowing the language made me feel I really belonged in the place. I ended up settling there, and I haven’t looked back since.