Getting into the outdoors, being active and helping people fix flushes, leaks and pipework- it’s all in a day’s work for Matt Little.
Fed up with his office job, he made the jump from content manager to plumber and has no regrets.
He talks about what inspired him to make the jump.take action.
Career change ideas: Deciding to change career
Working as a content manager, Matt was growing tired of the monotony of the work and being in an office spending most of his time at a screen. More than that, he didn’t feel that he was helping people in his job , which was a big motivator for him.
Matt knew it was time to start exploring new career pathways.
What steps did you take?
The first thing Matt did was to start thinking about what he was good at and what interested in. Matt realised that he gets enjoyment from helping people directly and from being hands-on or practical in the work that he does.
He started looking at different industries and jobs where he got to do this and help people directly.
From researching different trades, the idea of plumbing appealed to Matt. To get to know the industry, he connected with professional networks, went to different events and started networking with plumbers.
He liked the idea of plumbing because:
- It matched Matt’s enjoyment of problem-solving.
- He saw it as a way to make a difference in people’s lives by providing critical services.
- He loved the work environment and the idea of working outside.
The industry’s high demand for qualified plumbers and the opportunity for personal and career growth made it an appealing career path – one in which he would never be out of work. Taking this action helped Matt to learn more, build relationships and learn about the training he would need to take, which would eventually lead him to a job.
Retraining to change career
It’s not easy making a career change while working in a job. You need to keep working in a job while making the time to retrain, which takes commitment and time.
Matt had to continue in his job while retraining, making time in his schedule to study and learn the skills needed.
“It takes a bit of commitment to do the training needed, but if you know you want to do something else, it’ll be worth it,” he said.
Read these for help with your CV: How to describe your work experience on a CV
Plumbing and trade careers - setting up in busines
Around 70,000 plumbers will be needed by 2032, according to research. There is a real need for more to train in plumbing, and many other trades across the construction industry. Many plumbers start off through an apprenticeship or with a large company, and can then go on to work for themselves.
After building his plumbing experience, Matt then set up his own business, Damien McEvoy, based in Sydney. The business has gone from strength to strength and has grown to become a leader of plumbing services for the area.
Making the most of your skills
Every skill you acquire can help you in some way at some point through your career. All of these can go into a good personal statement on your CV, to show a potential employer why you are the best fit for a role and what you can bring to the job.
Though Matt’s main job isn’t in content management – they aren’t going to waste. He now uses them to create content that teaches people how to look after their homes and keep their appliances in good condition. He is also committed to helping other plumbers succeed and has plenty of tips for them, too.
Advice to others considering career change
Matt has some tips for anyone looking for career change ideas. Here are his top tips:
- Consider what you’re good at, what interests you and where you want to take your career.
- Do your research into the industry or profession you’re considering. Find out what the job requirements are, and where there is potential for growth.
- Connect with people who work in the field. Ask questions and ask to shadow or work with them to get some first-hand experience. This will help add to the work experience on your CV when you’re applying jobs later on.
- Be ready for the learning curve and the setbacks that come with it.
“Trust your gut,” says Matt. “If you’re ready to take calculated risks, you’ll be rewarded. A career change can be transformative and rewarding if you put in the work and stay true to your goals.”
For more career change ideas, there will be more inspiring stories like this coming soon.
To be the first to hear more stories, have them sent straight to your inbox – sign up here.
