Gail Nash is the inspiring woman who tried 33 careers in one year

AFTER four years as an environmental lawyer, this woman quit her job to find her dream career. She tackled 33 jobs in a year. This is her story.

Gail Nash tried 33 careers in one year. Photo: Gail Nash

GAIL Nash had been an environment protection lawyer in Sydney for four years, when she decided to quit her job and find a career that “made her heart sing”.

Gail enjoyed many elements of her legal role, but was confused as to why it didn’t feel like the right job for her.

“I was at a loss. If this wasn’t the right job, what path should I follow?” Gail explained on her website 33careers.com.au.

Conversations with people who loved their work helped give Gail the idea to tackle 33 careers within a calendar year.

Gail was an environment protection lawyer before she decided to try 33 careers in a year. Photo: Sam Crawford

Gail, ready to get her hands dirty. Photo: Sam Crawford

Inspired by the book How to Find Fulfilling Work by Roman Krznaric, Gail made a leap of faith.

She created a ‘wanted’ flyer, and asked friends and families to help get the word out. The response from all kinds of businesses was overwhelming.

During 2013, Gail volunteered in a variety of careers, doing everything from underwater diving to kindergarten teaching. Some roles included being a managing director at an Eco Bag company, an animal rescue carer at RSPCA, an Eco Adventure tour guide, an event organiser, a social media consultant, a raw food chef, handyman and a Life Education educator (remember Healthy Harold?).

Gail, working as an Eco Adventure tour guide. Photo: Gail Nash

News.com.au spoke to Gail about her journey to find the perfect career.

What made you want explore new careers?

I wanted to find the career that would make my heart sing. Many people I know love their work and I wanted to feel that way.

I thought I was just looking for work I’d love, but now having completed the project I realise it was my search for purpose.

What common skills or themes did you find you enjoyed over the 33 jobs?

The careers I chose aligned closely with my personal values & in retrospect I’ve noticed that nearly all of the careers I tried fit into one of the following four themes (all of which are important values in my life):

— environment care / protection (eg. Greenpeace, sustainability educator, eco artist & designer, national park ranger,

— serving the community (eg. OzHarvest, Opportunity International, local councillor, speech therapist, Wellness Walk)

— animal care (RSPCA, doggie day care, horse rescue)

— healthy living (health educator, adventure tour guide, raw food chef, Mental Health Association, organic grocery store manager)

Gail cared for dogs at the RSPCA. Photo: Sam Crawford

Gail volunteering as a Sustainability Educator

What advice do you have to people who are choosing / wanting to change careers?

Anyone wanting to change career, I’d advise them of this saying I picked up as a kindergarten teacher: “Have a go, or you won’t know!”

Whether through shadowing, volunteering, or informational interviews (especially useful when you’re interested in a job where having a go is difficult for practical reasons, e.g. psychologist) — all of these tools are invaluable to get a sense of what a career is actually like.

Through trying the work you learn what skills it requires and in what ratio, whether you like using those skills and whether it will be a good ‘fit’.

Gail volunteered with Oz Harvest, helping to rescue food that would normally go to waste, and give it to people in need. Photo: Gail Nash

I found that in general the people who love what they do are very open and willing to share, so if you get knocked back when trying to find work experience just look elsewhere.

So, the question everyone wants to know: Which career did Gail pick?

Gail’s dream career ended up being an unconventional career consultant: she’s using her 33 careers in a year method to help other people find their dream job.

For more information on 33 Careers in a Year, visit the website www.33careers.com.au

Follow Gail on Twitter @33Careers

HERE ARE SOME OTHER JOBS GAIL TRIED:

Delivering EcoBags to a shop owner in her role as Director of Eco Bags. Photo: Gail Nash

Working as a handyman. Photo: Sam Crawford

Washing a dog at a Dog Grooming business. Photo: Gail Nash

Conducting an interview with Channel 7 as part of her role at the Manly Chamber of Commerce.

Helping in a Kindergarten classroom.

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