Name
Michael Hide
Old Position
Finance
New Career
Public Sector
What work were you doing previously?
I was a contractor in finance, handling PPI complaints for various high street banks.
What are you doing now?
I’m now an employment advocate on a support programme called Households Into Work, which is part of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
I’m also studying a part time diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling.
I wanted to make a difference, rather than be a replaceable cog in a big machine
Why did you change?
The money was great, but the last contract I worked on was a night shift up in Scotland, which involved travelling up there and back each week, working 12-hour nights until 6am.
The nights were long, the weather was cold and the work was boring! I struggled with regulating my sleeping pattern too, which made the work harder. I knew I had to find something different.
I decided to make the change when the first pandemic lockdown was announced. I wanted to try something completely different, even if it meant taking a pay cut.
I always liked the idea of working in a role where I could give back and make a difference.
Are you happy with the change?
Leaving the world of finance was difficult.
But I can say now that I’ve never been happier in a role. I have the best team, excellent working conditions and most of all, my sleep pattern is back to normal!
How did you go about making the shift?
About a year before I left the Scotland-based contract, I volunteered a day a week with a housing association. This meant that I became a familiar face in the office, and it gave me the opportunity to learn about the sector.
About three months after the first lockdown, the housing association offered me a role as a relief worker in a hotel which was being used to house homeless individuals during the pandemic.
This was a bit of a shock to the system having just taken three months off – the environment was often chaotic, and I was thrown into the deep end from day one. When I realised the positive impact I could have, and after receiving my first card saying “thank you for not giving up on me”, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living.
When it was announced that the hotel would start to be used for its intended purposes again, I was successful in becoming a permanent floating support worker.
Following this, I applied for my current role with Households Into Work last year, which offered a better salary, better working conditions and a lot more support.
How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?
I had some savings, and had just moved into a new place with my partner, so splitting the rent and bills helped.
The pandemic had put a stop to nights out and holidays, so that was a bonus! The hotel was regularly short staffed, so I was able to pick up overtime when I got the relief worker role.
It took some adjusting to the lower salary, as I was now taking home a third of the money I was making before. It was definitely a lesson in money management…but one I was glad to learn!
What would you advise others to do in the same situation?
Get as much information about other career possibilities as you can.
Consider volunteering! It looks fantastic on your CV and is a great way to explore alternative career paths, even if it’s just a couple of hours a week.
Consider seeing a career advisor who can provide an alternative perspective than your own.
