Photographer Rachel* created a portfolio career that kept the things she loved about her commercial work and gave her new opportunities to teach and make a difference.

'I've learnt to trust my instincts and not be afraid to put myself out there. Sometimes, big problems become more manageable by just working through things logically, and things you thought weren't possible suddenly are!'

What sparked your career change?

My career no longer matched my values nor was it overly fulfilling on several levels. I knew I couldn't continue on the same path for the rest of my working life. The frustration and lack of fulfilment started to affect my confidence more broadly.

What work were you doing previously?

I was working solely as a commercial photographer.

What are you doing now?

I've developed a portfolio career. I'm still doing some commercial photography, but I'm more discerning about the projects I take on. I also run therapeutic and participatory photography workshops in community and health settings, and teach as a sessional tutor for undergraduate photography students.

Why did you change?

I wasn't feeling fulfilled in my previous work.

What process did you go through to decide to change?

I first approached Jo in 2018 as I knew I needed to do something different and wasn't sure how to find the right path. I couldn't get clear on where I wanted to go. Shortly after beginning, I fell pregnant with my second child. I decided to put my career change on hold while taking time out with my new baby.

2 years later when I went back to work after time off with my baby, I still felt unfulfilled in my career. So, I returned to Jo to pick up the process.

We started big so that I could consider all my options and explore all the possibilities. So, when I decided against a pathway, I could comfortably let it go, knowing that I'd investigated it thoroughly.

What was the hardest part of changing careers?

Moving past the fear of letting go and being OK with the fact that some things wouldn't work out.

How did you go about making the shift?

I investigated lots of options and talked to people in different sectors. After that, I had a pretty good idea of what I did and didn't want to do.

I started trying things out in small ways. I also stayed open to different, often 'unthought of' ideas that gelled with my aims and values. This is how I found my teaching position. It matched all my criteria.

As I'm building a portfolio career, I've set goals for each of the areas I'm working in. I'm still working towards some of these goals, but now I have a clearer direction.

What help did you get?

Aside from career change coaching with Jo, I spoke with helpful people working in different areas that interested me. My partner was also very supportive

What have you learnt in the process?

I've learnt to trust my instincts and not be afraid to put myself out there. Sometimes, big problems become more manageable by just working through things logically, and things you thought weren't possible suddenly are!

If you could go back to you at the start of your career change journey, what would you say to yourself?

Try not to panic. Take time to work on it. Even if your career change feels like it's happening too slowly, just keep going. You'll work it out eventually. Something else that's important - stay open and try new things.

Are you happy with the change?

Yes, I am happy with the change so far. My portfolio career is still unfolding, so it will be interesting to see where things go in the next year or two.

Generally, I feel much more at peace. I realised that feeling stuck in a career that had stopped working for me had caused me a lot of angst.

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

I don't really miss anything. I've kept the parts of my commercial photography career that I've always enjoyed. Now I can (mostly) say 'no' to the parts I don't love. I also have loads of other great things going on now.

What do you enjoy most about your new career?

This new combination of work satisfies different parts of me. I still get to be creative and do something I enjoy, and I've added something that was missing. Now I'm making a positive contribution and helping people. My portfolio career feels more complete and more like me. I've also got flexibility which is very important to me.

What do you wish you'd done differently?

I wish I had done it earlier!

What 3 tips would you give others in the same situation?

• Make a start. Changing careers seems scary, impossible, and daunting at first, but you don't know what's out there until you try.

• Don't look for 'jobs.' Set criteria for what you want from your career, then find what fits that.

• Keep at it. Even if it takes time (it may take years) but you'll get there.

*Name changed to protect Rachel's anonymity.

By Jo Green, Career Change Coach

I know that when you find what you love, heart and soul, your life changes. I work every day with people who are reshaping their current careers, starting new enterprises or searching for a new direction. Basically I help people who don’t like their job to figure out what to do instead!

As a Careershifters and Firework Advanced Certified Coach and experienced career changer myself, I can help you figure out what fulfilling work looks like for you.

Drop me a note to organise a free 20 minute consultation to chat about your career change and how coaching could help.