Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
Am I happy and fulfilled in my job?
How seriously would I consider changing my career?
Would I be prepared to retrain for two or more years to qualify for an entirely different profession?
Could I endure the doubts, uncertainty and drop in earnings while learning new skills?
Have I enough confidence and determination to perfect those skills and become a professional?
Could I cope with early setbacks and disappointments in a new career?
Who would support me on my journey?
There’s a reason I’m asking. Several weeks ago two extraordinary stories caught my eye. The first came via London’s Royal Opera House press office. One of their soloists, Tomas Mock, a Slovakian dancer who trained with the Royal Ballet School and entered the company graduating rising quickly from corps de ballet to principal dancer, was leaving the Royal Ballet. He gave his final performance just before Christmas. Despite a flourishing career, he quit ballet and is now full time at LSE (The London School of Economics) studying for his MSc.
The news went viral. Tomas after all is no ageing artist retraining for another career because the going got tough. Still in his early 30s, he’s in his prime. But why finance? The contrast between that world and dance could hardly be more dramatic.
I then discovered that although he’s a top ranking ballet dancer, Tomas was also an A* maths student. Ballet and maths jostled for his affections: eventually maths won. While still performing with the Royal Ballet in 2022 he received his BSc from the Open University. I was impressed at how his LinkedIn profile reflects commitment to the world of finance. “I am deeply passionate about the intricacies of financial markets and investing. My academic journey has further ignited my enthusiasm for data analysis…as I delve deeper into the world of statistics and finance I am eager to apply my knowledge, collaborate with like minded professionals and contribute to innovative projects.”
Amazingly, several weeks later, I heard that 17 year-old Anglo-Chinese solo violinist Leia Zhu had been awarded a top diploma from London’s prestigious Institute of Banking and Finance. This qualifies her to practise as a bona fide financial advisor when she reaches the age of 18. With overseas concerts and tours lined up for 2024 Leia has no immediate plans to abandon music, although she intends to become a personal advisor, perhaps in tandem with her music, helping clients with financial management and investments.
Like Tomas Mock, her passion for finance is unmistakable. “Since childhood I’ve been captivated by the intricacies of finance, mirroring the complex melodies in music. The pandemic struck a dissonant note in my life. It led me to ponder how one can navigate financial uncertainties, especially in the artistic domain where income is often irregular. This curiosity led me on a journey of discovery.”
Mature beyond her years, Leia credits music with instilling discipline, mental clarity, time management, also cultivating rapport and communication – all essential in making sound financial decisions. “My goal is to make financial literacy accessible and engaging, helping demystify these concepts. I hope to empower others with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions…people who might not initially be interested in learning the seemingly boring principles of finance.”
Should we dismiss Tomas and Leia as post-pandemic one-night wonders? Probably not.
As the aftermath of Covid continues to reshape the workplace, prompting skilled and professional workers to quit their jobs or switch careers, Tomas and Leia’s stories may be exceptional – but they are far from unique. Inspired by their individual journeys and in preparation for the publication of a memoir charting my own early radical career change, I’ve become fascinated as well as encouraged by other people’s tales of reinvention. Far from being hard to find, I’ve made astonishing discoveries about people’s courage and determination to bring more meaning and fulfilment to their working lives.
I’ll share these inspiring stories over the coming weeks….