I'm doing my dream job!
According to research, Midlanders aren't a deliriously happy lot when it comes to our careers, so it's refreshing to find people who've made it their mission to do something they truly enjoy. Read our 10 short interviews with West Midlanders who love their job.
Apparently, Midlanders aren't a deliriously happy lot when it comes to our careers, writes Lara Page.
Research published by Birmingham Midshires found that Midlands workers were the least content with their jobs, whilst another survey carried out by American Express found that British workers spend so long commuting that they barely have time for their families.
At a time when workplace stress and economic factors are making working life less than enjoyable, it's refreshing to find people who've made it their mission to do something they truly enjoy.
And although many feel that current trading conditions make setting up a business or changing careers even more daunting, there are still plenty of recession-defying success stories across the county.
We used our Express & Star Facebook Page and our Twitter feed to track down inspirational people and find out more about what they do for a living.
Read our 10 short interviews below with West Midlanders who love their job.
If you're doing something you love, we'd like to hear from you too - leave a comment in our forum below and let us know whether you're in your perfect career or wake up with the workday blues.
James Davey - Guitar Technician, Pattingham
What do you do?
I've been making and repairing guitars for the past 15 years. I also build custom electric guitars and am currently working on my 24th for Status Quo!
How did you get into the industry?
I love music and have always been fascinated by guitars and how they work. I started repairing my own when I was just 14 and my current job was a natural progression from there.
Describe your typical working day:
I start work at around 10am. It involves all sorts of repairs, as well as rebuilds and renovation. I don't finish at any set time but I often end up working late without realising it!
What do you love most about your job?
Everything about it, especially building guitars for customers from scratch and seeing their reaction when they open the case.
Any downsides?
No downsides really, but like I say, I do tend to work late and perhaps don't realise how tired I am at times.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
Believe in what you're doing and and pursue any flare you have for doing something you enjoy. It's all too easy to get stuck in a rut with work and not realise your full potential.
Contact:
James Davey of J Davey Guitars is based in Pattingham and can be contacted on 07966 769137.
Simone Hurst - VAT Director, Edgbaston
What do you do?
I'm a VAT Director at BTG Tax in Edgbaston.
How did you get into the industry?
It was a complete fluke! After taking my A-levels in Languages, I wanted to fulfil my childhood dream of being a policewoman. I applied to the police but to hedge my bets I also applied to HM Customs and Excise, The Immigration Service, Mi5 and Pizza Hut too. I got turned down point blank for Pizza Hut!
HM Customs and Excise, as it was, were the first ones to accept me so I decided to play safe and accept their offer. But because I hadn't done my research, I was expecting to be posted to an airport, on the front line of contraband trafficking - I didn't realise that VAT control is a major part of HMRC Customs role. I was posted to VAT and trained as a VAT Control Officer, but despite my initial disappointment I've not looked back since!
Describe your typical working day:
There is no typical working day - my role is very varied and interesting - yes, you read right, VAT and interesting in the same sentence! I could be travelling anywhere in the country to present VAT seminars to business and professional practices, fielding VAT helpline queries, reviewing marketing opportunities, undertaking a specific project for a client or having some lively 'discussions' with HMRC!
What do you love most about your job?
The people I meet, the variety and, from time to time, the surrealism! In what other arena would you have to seriously consider that eternal question - is a Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit?
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Running my own business for 10 years (I used to own VATease which was based in Kings Heath - I sold it to BTG Tax in September last year) because I would never have learned the valuable commercial lessons I have without that experience. Another highlight is seeing attendee's faces at my seminars when I can see they're actually, dare I use the word, enjoying my VAT seminar!
Any downsides?
At times it can be very frustrating dealing with HMRC.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
Go with your gut feeling and make sure you're happy in your choices because if you're not happy at work it impinges on all other areas of your life! Work hard - don't expect things to come to you on a plate because they don't!
Contact:
Simone works for BTG Tax in Edgbaston and can be contacted at simone.hurst@btg-tax.com.
Kerry Thomas - Magazine Publisher, Birmingham
What do you do?
I'm a publisher of youth culture and art magazines based in the Greenhouse opposite the Custard Factory in Eastside, Birmingham's creative quarter.
How did you get into the industry?
After I graduated from UCE (now Birmingham City University) in 1997 with a degree in Media and Communications, I applied for jobs all over the UK but decided I wanted to stay in the West Midlands. I met my partner David O'Coy, who was working for a production company, and between us we decided to start a magazine. We did everything from scratch with no money or computer and have built it up from nothing. We had some experience - mine from university and David's from working in the media industry - but decided we had nothing to lose by starting up our own business.
Describe your typical working day:
My work is quite varied but I usually get in to work at 9.30 to 10am, depending on what art or music events we may have been to the night before. The first thing I do is check emails (I get about 200 per day!) and Twitter accounts, then open the post - we receive anything from CDs to clothes, make-up and offers of press trips. Every week is different. We talk to photographers and illustrators all over the world and writers from across the UK, so we're always kept busy with new happenings.
What do you love most about your job?
The freedom to do what I want. I get to decide where I want to work, when and who with. I can go to festivals, gigs and events for free and have even been invited to go shopping for free clothes!
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Probably my favourite thing about working at Fused is the travel opportunity. I've been to some amazing places. We've promoted music events in Texas with five Birmingham bands and been on a boat trip down the Colorado River. I've also met some very talented people, from our contributors through to famous people and bands.
Any downsides?
Running your own business can be scary because everything relies on you. You are the person who has to make sure the cashflow is working and the bills are paid at the end of each month. But the pro's far outweigh the cons!
Any advice for people looking to change careers or start their own business?
Find a niche, know your audience (or even better be your target audience) and make sure you're passionate about what you want to do because if it works, you'll be stuck with it! For me it's a lifestyle choice and a passion rather than a 'get rich quick' scheme, which means a good quality of life and being happy to get out of bed every morning.
Contact:
Kerry runs Fused Magazine in Gibb Street, Birmingham and can be contacted on (0121) 246 1946.
Tim Gaunt - Website Developer, Brierley Hill
What do you do?
I'm the Managing Director and Head Developer for The Site Doctor Ltd, a website design and development firm based in Brierley Hill.
How did you get into the industry?
I've been involved in web development for many years now. I originally set up a web design company with a couple of friends but we went our seperate ways as they went off to university. I needed to decide what I wanted to do and knew that business was the way to go, so having already had an insight into the potential the internet offered, I thought it was worth pursuing.
Describe your typical working day:
The mornings usually start at around 5am, which gives me time to get some work done before any interruptions! Then between 9am and 5pm it's a combination of client meetings, existing project work, project management and business management. Thankfully, still being heavily involved in development allows me to get creative as regularly as I need to. Very few web applications are the same so I'm always kept on my toes trying to find creative and easy-to-use solutions for clients. In the evenings I tend to email and blog so I rarely finish working before 10pm.
What do you love most about your job?
A combination of the flexibility I have and the fact that we can help to improve businesses through creative thought. Knowing that you can make a massive difference to a company is a real buzz which is only topped by having the client appreciate the work you do.
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Dealing with clients from all over the world still impresses me but I think the biggest highlight for me is still the fact that I'm still doing what I love on a daily basis, and helping small and unknown businesses grow.
Any downsides?
If you ask people I know they'll probably say it's the fact that I'm always thinking about the business in one way or another! But I think that's just me - you can switch off from the business if you want, it's just that most business owners choose not to. Personally, I can't think of any downsides other than perhaps the stigma of people thinking you're a geek!
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
Yes! Do it! I really think you just need to get on and do it. All too often people are too willing to make do or make excuses as to why they can't or shouldn't do it but at the end of the day, if you're thinking about it, you should just do it. Otherwise you might just end up wondering "what if?" I wrote an article on setting up a business which I recommend you read if you've ever thought about it.
Contact:
Tim Gaunt runs The Site Doctor Ltd, based in Brierley Hill, and can be contacted on (0121) 3145374.
Dave Stevens - National Business Director, Sandwell
What do you do?
I'm the National Business Director for PeopleServe, one of the region's leading integrated skills and employment providers. I'm responsible for steering the organisation's expansion across the UK.
How did you get into the industry?
Before joining PeopleServe, I founded and ran Coachright Premier; a not-for-profit social enterprise programme helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds gain qualifications and find work. I always knew I wanted a career that would help people and give them a second chance in life.
Describe your typical working day:
A typical day could include a series of business development meetings with stakeholder partners like Job Centre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council, local authorities or other partnership employment providers. Additional duties in any one day could relate to the overseeing of daily marketing requirements or strategic senior management meetings.
What do you love most about your job?
Knowing that our work makes a difference to people. When learners walk through our door looking for new opportunities we're able to offer them a life changing service. The training and work experience that we provide really has the power to transform an individual's life.
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Plenty! A highlight for me last year was making a successful start working for an international company like PeopleServe and helping them to exceed new business growth targets set during 2008.
Any downsides?
The biggest downside is seeing first hand the direct effect that the economic downturn is having on people and we're now working with a higher number of unemployed people as a result. Fortunately we're in a position to help re-train the unemployed and can also help in relocating those recently made redundant.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
It's never too late to change your career. There have been many cases at PeopleServe where people believed they were too old to re-train, upskill or find new employment. One man in his fifties had been made redundant after 30 years in the building industry and when he came to us, he was sceptical about whether he could learn anything new. He's now enjoying a position with us as one of our Contracts Directors!
Contact:
Dave Stephens can be contacted through PeopleServe, which has offices in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Stourbridge and Stafford.nextpage
Fiona Handscomb - Freelance Writer, Birmingham
What do you do?
I am a freelance arts and cultural writer and I write from wherever - sometimes from home, sometimes in a cafe, pub, on a train, in a park - I enjoy being a bit mobile and as long as I have my laptop, my dongle and some ideas, I can write anywhere.
How did you get into the industry?
I've always been interested and involved in the arts, either participating (I was in a band and I'm currently in a poetry collective) or watching. I started writing freelance for Channel 4's 4Talent website and magazine, which was an ideal introduction for me as they're very focussed on the arts. From then on it's just been a case of pursuing the kinds of features and publications that I'm interested in.
Describe your typical working day:
Well, I'm not sure that there is a typical day, which is one of the things I love most about it. It partly depends on where I'm getting my material - I like interviews and meeting people, so I'll often head out to ply someone with questions or I'll research at home. If I'm really into an idea it can entirely take over my whole day - at times my husband has returned home from work and I've been typing away frantically at my computer, still in my pyjamas as I haven't quite got round to getting dressed!
What do you love most about your job?
The absolute freedom. I love the fact that I'm able to pursue ideas that I'm interested in, in the way that I want to. I love the fact that I'm not tied to a particular desk staring at the same four walls every day! I get to meet lots of really interesting, creative people, doing really interesting, creative things. The variety is amazing as well - I've had the privilege of talking to people from Sudan about their culture one day and talking to glass-blowers in Wolverhampton the next!
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
I did a festival blog covering the International Dance Festival in May last year - for a whole month I was able to immerse myself in a world of dance - another passion of mine! Another recent highlight was my employment as a freelance journalist on the World In One Region project where I interviewed folk from ethnic minority communities living in the West Midlands, like the Sudanese community, Polish community and the African-Caribbean community. It was fascinating to hear about other cultures.
Any downsides?
Money! Or lack of. Writing is enormously popular, especially with the advent of the internet - everyone can write and get their work published. Not that I think that's a bad thing - it's good for people to have their voice. It just means that it can be a very difficult and highly competitive industry to get into. There's nothing regular about it, and you always have to be pursuing work - and even then it's not always paid.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
If you're looking to get into writing, have a back-up. Every single freelance writer I know has more than one string to their bow - I work part time in Communications for Audiences Central. Don't expect regular payment or loads of money, and do make sure that you're open-minded and flexible in your approach. I'd also say pursue what you're really passionate about most of all - your writing will be much better on these subjects! Also, don't be afraid to contact people or publications that you're interested in - people are often more approachable than we give them credit for. Oh, and always stick to deadlines!
Contact:
Fiona Handscomb writes for a variety of print and online publications including West Midlands Dance and can be contacted by email at fionahandscomb@yahoo.co.uk.
Simon Downs - Librarian, Wolverhampton
What do you do?
My official job title is "Learning Resource Centre Manager" but most of the staff and students call me "the librarian" and some of the kids call me "the library dude". I manage the Learning Resource Centre for Deansfield High School in Wolverhampton.
How did you get into the industry?
I've always enjoyed reading so when I had to choose a work experience placement whilst in the sixth form at school, the local library was the only thing that jumped out at me. I continued to volunteer at Burntwood Library for the rest of my time at school, then did a degree in Information and Library Studies at Loughborough University. After that, I spent three years working in Hungary teaching English then returned to the UK to start a family, and this job was the perfect opportunity.
Describe your typical working day:
I open the library at 8am before a steady stream of early students come to access the library and ICT facilities. When the bell goes for registration I can get on with some real librariany tasks like shelving, cataloguing and generally messing about with books and stuff. Mid-morning onwards, I get up to 170 students in and out of my library during breaks, so things can get quite hectic! As well as books and internet access, I try to provide other entertaining and educational stimuli to help stop the students getting so bored they climb out of the library windows!
What do you love most about your job?
I love the research. At any moment I can get asked odd and bizarre questions by staff and students and I go off on a little research quest to find the information they're looking for. University taught me that librarians don't have to know everything, they just have to know how to find everything out!
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
My starting work here has coincided with a (no doubt completely unrelated) massive increase in library use and a huge swing against the national trend in that I now issue more books to boys than I do to girls, despite everybody telling me how difficult it is to get boys to read - this makes me smile.
Any downsides?
Not all of the students are the perfect little angels you might imagine when thinking of school children today. There are some terribly frustrating times when communication just seems to be impossible. Also there are times when I have so many students in the library at one time that I know I'm not going to be able to deal with all the help they require on my own. Money is a bit of an issue too.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
A secure and supportive home life helps a great deal, as does really wanting the new career that you're switching to. It's best to look at all your hobbies and interests and see if you can figure out a job that might include them in some way, though equally important is the ability to hold onto a less interesting job whilst actively searching out a more interesting one.
Contact:
Simon manages the Learning Resources Centre at Deansfield School and can be contacted on (01902) 556400.
Ben Capewell - Commercial Director, Blackheath
What do you do?
I'm the Commercial Director at Black Country Housing Group, a social landlord based in Blackheath, Sandwell.
How did you get into the industry?
I started out as a Leakage Technician for Severn Trent Water and became interested in how companies can improve the way they work to save and make money. I gradually built up my experience and moved further into business development, before starting my own consultancy. I loved going into different companies and helping them solve problems but I got to the point where I wanted to give something back to society. The job at Black Country Housing Group meant I could use my business development skills for good in the community.
Describe your typical working day:
There really is no typical working day in my job! It can involve anything from meeting people who want to work with BCHG and exploring business opportunities, to commissioning new projects and carrying out research. It's basically about hunting out opportunities for BCHG to get involved with and then developing those ideas.
What do you love most about your job?
I love being able to be innovative and creative to come up with ideas that solve problems and make a real difference to people's lives.
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
I'm fairly new in post, so I would say that the highlights to date have been meeting so many new people and setting the wheels in motion for a range of projects.
Any downsides?
I've had to get to grips with a new sector – social housing - but I've found it really interesting.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
For people who want to start their own business, I would say do as much research as possible and have a really clear idea of what you want to achieve. It's also important to build a good network to support you. And once everything is in place, go for it!
Contact:
Ben can be contacted at the Black Country Housing Group on (0121) 5611969.nextpage
Glenn Watts - Sales Manager, Wolverhampton
What do you do?
I'm the Sales and Marketing Manager for D W Supplies, a cleaning product supplies firm in Wolverhampton.
How did you get into the industry?
I sort of fell into it really! My wife owns the company and I help her run it. I've been in the industry for about four years now and still have lots to learn!
Describe your typical working day:
Wow, this is a difficult one - I have so many roles! Working for a small company it's a matter of doing whatever needs doing. Just roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty. Generally though, my day consists of checking stock levels, taking and packaging orders, updating our website and blogs, promoting new products and networking. And I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting products!
What do you love most about your job?
The diversity of the role. It changes literally hourly! And the fact that I can control most of what I do during the day. It's great to know my role has no boundaries.
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Yes, many! And quite often too. The biggest highlights for me are gaining new customers and hearing positive feedback about the service and products we provide. If I could think of only one it would be selling my first pallet-sized order via our website to a Polish bakery in London.
Any downsides?
Yes, pressure and time. There's always a lot of pressure and never enough time. When you own or help to run a family business, it doesn't end at 5pm each day like most people's jobs do. And you always have a thousand things running around your head; Where can I get that from? How much should I charge? Who owes me money? Who's placed orders? This happens all through the night, at weekends and even on holiday!
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
Do some research - not just into your product or service, but things like VAT and employment and trading laws. You'll need to be dedicated, flexible, open to new ideas and willing to work under pressure. And try not to be too gullible - there are lots of people out there who'll try to capitalise on a "newcomer" and sell all sorts of weird and wonderful products and services that are nearly always not required!
Contact:
Glenn and Dawn Watts run DW Supplies in Wolverhampton and can be contacted on (01902) 674407. nextpage
Carole Gallant - Social Enterprise Creator, Halesowen
What do you do?
I run a social enterprise called Create A Future, based at the University of Birmingham. We're completely independent of the university and get no government funding from anyone. We're about helping people to develop their personal skills to enable them to survive and thrive in the 21st century.
How did you get into the industry?
I'm a teacher by training, who has realised that for young people to "survive and thrive" they have to develop a set of personal skills that we don't currently teach in our schools. I've been working in this area for the last 15 years and the company has survived despite having all its government funding removed.
Describe your typical working day:
I get into the office around 9.30am (I'm not an early starter!) and spend more time than I'd like on email. Then I can be doing anything from working with young people in schools, one-to-one coaching, putting together a learning programme, writing bids for funding (would love to find someone to help me with that one!), writing text for websites... the list goes on!
What do you love most about your job?
That no two days are the same. I can decide what I need to do. I love seeing people "wake up" and realise they have the ability to achieve inside of them.
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Too many to mention! I love it when someone overcomes a particular obstacle and makes a breakthrough. Last year's highlight was a young lady with special needs who beat off pupils from the private sector to win one of the regional competition prizes and she's going to London next week to represent the West Midlands with her project. Her Mum said it was the best day she'd ever had - can't get better than that!
Any downsides?
We're the West Midlands' best kept secret because I don't have the time to do the promotional and networking stuff!
Contact:
Carole runs Create A Future and can be contacted on (0121) 4144318 or by email at carole@createafuture.co.uk.
