Career Change: Take the Plunge!
In an ever-changing job market, career transition has become an essential way to reinvent one’s career.
Whether you want to rediscover old passions, learn new skills, or adapt to the demands of the job market, this approach can open unexpected doors and be a true source of fulfillment.
However, embarking on a career change can feel like a leap into the unknown, raising legitimate concerns: fear of failure, balancing work and personal life, acquiring new skills, financial difficulties…
In observance of National Career Transition Day on November 14, 2024, we’d like to share three testimonials from students at the “ ” Continuing Education Program for Career Transition atthe University of Montpellier.
The goal? To introduce you to people driven by their goals and a unique career path. They all had doubts and fears, but managed to overcome them and turn them into sources of motivation.
Table of Contents
- Emmanuelle: From Midwife to Occupational Safety and Health Consultant
- Charles: From Optician to Rugby Video Analyst
- Virginie: From Elementary School Teacher to Ecologist
From Midwife to Occupational Safety and Health Specialist
A testimonial from Emmanuelle Delrue, 35
In 2022, after having worked as a midwife for 10 years in hospitals and at maternal and child health clinics (PMI ), she decided, following an injury that resulted in a work-related disability, to embark on a career transition by enrolling in the Master’s program in Risk and Environment at ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality) in Montpellier.
Educational Background
After graduating from high school, Emmanuelle began studying medicine. Realizing fairly quickly that it wasn’t for her and feeling more drawn to preventive care, she gradually shifted her focus to midwifery, a profession she would practice for 10 years.
The emergence of new desires
“Little by little, I realized that as a healthcare provider, I have little time to devote to prevention, even though that’s my main area of interest. Even back in midwifery school, I felt that I hadn’t really found my calling and that I certainly wouldn’t be doing this job for the rest of my life.”
"I gradually became interested in everything related to quality and patient safety, as well as the impact of workers' health on the quality and safety of care."
The turning point
In 2022, following an injury that left her unable to work, Emmanuelle attended the Open House at ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality) in Montpellier to learn more about their programs and speak with Claire Chaffard, the director of academic affairs.
Following this, Emmanuelle secured a work-study position at the SNCF and joined the 2022 cohort of the Master’s in Risk and Environment (Continuing Education) program at ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality) in Montpellier.
Work-study programs: an “absolute necessity”
“Without the work-study program, I wouldn’t have been able to take the course; it was absolutely essential for me. When I started at ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality) in September 2022, I was five months pregnant with my little boy and already had a little girl. It’s especially hard to accept that you’re putting your family situation in a state of uncertainty in order to pursue your professional career.”
The emergence of a new career path
“During my master’s program, I wanted to give myself the freedom to explore all the different facets of the profession so that I could gradually shape my career path. However, it was a deliberate choice to switch industries and not pursue a career in healthcare, because I wanted to open myself up to new opportunities—and, in practical terms, the rail industry helped open up new horizons for me.
The healthcare field remained very important to me, however. Over time, my career path took shape around quality and occupational health and safety rather than the environment, which ultimately seemed too technical to me.”
A Career Change as a Revelation
“This career change was a challenge. It was both stressful and energizing. I felt that I was in tune with what I was doing, so that was a major source of motivation, but of course there were some concerns.”
"You don't approach your initial studies and a career change in the same way. When you go back to school, there are other challenges—financial ones, in particular—and it's true that I put a certain amount of pressure on myself about that, but at the same time, the experience was a real eye-opener for me."
Re-entry into the workforce after retraining
After two years of study, Emmanuelle earned her master’s degree in June 2024.
“I currently work as an occupational safety consultant in Nîmes. I plan to move closer to Montpellier next January to take a position in quality assurance and safety—the two areas I enjoy the most.”
In my day-to-day professional practice, I feel comfortable, and I feel like a lot of what I gained from my previous career has helped me in this role.
I feel like it’s much easier and that you’re up to speed much faster when you’ve just completed a career transition. You have a lot of apprehensions about it; I had a bit of imposter syndrome, wondering if I’d measure up to those who’ve been in the field for a long time and studied it extensively. Ultimately, I realize that it offers new perspectives, a different way of looking at problems, and therefore a broader range of solutions.”
Emmanuelle's advice
“If you feel the need to change careers, I recommend talking to people who have already done so—ideally in the field you’re interested in—contacting continuing education programs, and discussing your plans with those around you to help your idea take shape, evolve, and become something you truly own.”
A Final Word
“I would like to thank the ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality) team, my work-study mentor, and my family—the three pillars that enabled me to see this project through to completion.”
An optician who became a rugby video analyst
The story of Charles Heiderscheid, 37
After completing a work-study program leading to a BTS in Optometry in Lyon, Charles practiced for two years in France and eight years in Canada. Upon his return from Canada in the summer of 2020, he decided to resume his studies and change careers.
The trigger
“At the time, I wasn’t really interested in working in optics in France; I wanted to work in the environmental field. While doing some research from Canada, I came across a work-study bachelor’s degree program in QSE (Quality, Safety, and Environment) at ESEQ in Montpellier.”
"Going back to school was, for me, a necessary step toward changing careers—more than just a challenge. In France, having a degree is important for finding a job, unlike in Canada."
Work-study programs as a criterion
“Finding a work-study program when you’re over 30 is tough. That part was mentally challenging, but I had prepared myself for it.”
"I talked about it with the other adults in the continuing education program in my class, and we all felt that this was a challenge because of our age, but going back to school without the option of a work-study program would have been financially impossible for me."
The rediscovery of a long-forgotten passion: rugby
“After three years in QSE, I started looking for a job, mainly in the environmental sector, but all the openings were in Paris.”
"I had just completed a work-study program that was 100% remote with a company based in Paris, and during that time, I realized how difficult it was to work remotely. Since I couldn’t move because of my family situation, I kept looking for several months…"
In mid-May, Charles came across an ad that caught his eye.
“In Canada, I was an amateur rugby coach, and, quite by chance, I came across a job posting at MHR (Montpellier Hérault Rugby) for a one-year contract.”
Charles then enrolled in the University Diploma (DU) program in Sports Performance Video Analysis , specializing in rugby, at the UFR Staps in Montpellier while fulfilling his contract with the Montpellier rugby club, MHR (Montpellier Hérault Rugby).
Training as a way to build a professional network
“ The University Diploma ( DU ) in Video Analysis taught me how to use the software employed by professionals in the world of rugby.”
During the program, we heard from many professionals in basketball, soccer, rugby, and other sports. This university certificate program allows you to build your professional network and meet people you likely would never have had the chance to meet otherwise.
"I met with the video analysts for the French national rugby sevens team, the video analyst for UBB (Union Bordeaux Bègles), and the video analyst for the Montpellier soccer club. That’s really the benefit of this kind of training: being able to build your network."
Building a new freelance project
After earning his university degree in Sports Performance Video Analysis, Charles decided to work as a freelance sports video analyst specializing in rugby.
“At that point, my contract with MHR (Montpellier Hérault Rugby) was coming to an end, and I couldn’t move, so I had three options: go back to working in optics, look for a job in the local area, or start my own business in video analysis.”
"I’ve decided to go out on my own and dedicate myself fully to this project. The idea is to reach out to amateur clubs that need qualified people to process and analyze video footage. I don’t want to be tied to a single club, but rather to work with several clubs on specific projects, based on their requests and needs."
A Final Word
“Going back to school means expanding your network and discovering a different way of thinking compared to your previous career… It’s beneficial.”
"I'm glad I went back to school because I learned a lot. Even though I loved my job as an optician, I learned a new trade and a different way of working."
From elementary school teacher to ecologist
Virginie Zajdel's Testimony
Having always been passionate about the environment and environmental education, Virginie began the IEGB Master’s program (Ecological Engineering and Biodiversity Management) at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Montpellier in 2022 as part of a professional development leave, while continuing to work as an elementary school teacher.
A love of nature since childhood
“I’ve been a nature lover since I was a child. I’ve always had a connection to the aquatic world, and from a very young age, I’ve had a knack for observing animals, caterpillars, cocoons, butterflies…”
A background in science
“I studied science; I have a science-track high school diploma with a concentration in math. After that, I wanted to become a ‘Nature Guide,’ so I earned a DEUST (Diploma in Scientific and Technical University Studies) in Multilingual Nature Guiding and completed an internship at Marquenterre Park with an ornithologist as part of that program. That internship opened my eyes to ornithology.”
After earning her DEUST (Diploma in Scientific and Technical University Studies), Virginie worked as a guide in a Regional Nature Park in the Landes de Gascogne. This internship allowed her to further her knowledge of botany.
After this initial experience, Virginie went on to pursue a master’s degree in Urban Planning and the Environment at the University of Metz, which she was forced to abandon for financial reasons. She then worked at a CPIE (Permanent Center for Environmental Education), where she learned to organize field trips and work with nature guides, and where she developed numerous projects focused on ponds, rivers, and forests for students of all ages in elementary schools.
Shift toward education
Following this experience, with an eye toward a potential career in teaching, Virginie enrolled in a dual-degree program combining a Bachelor’s in History, Law, and Modern Literature with a Bachelor’s in Modern Literature, which she followed up with a Master’s in Modern Literature, graduating with honors. At the same time, she held a part-time job as a library assistant at the university.
During her master’s program, she took and passed the exams required to become an elementary school teacher for students in Cycle 3 (4th and 5th grades). This was an opportunity for her to share her passion with her students:
“I developed a number of projects—strangely enough, all related to the environment and environmental education. It was truly a passion of mine, and I really enjoyed the interdisciplinary approach—combining math, science, and literature: we created gardens within schools, and then, little by little, I got into entomology with them: raising stick insects, rose chafer beetles, earthworms…”
The birth of two new passions: scuba diving and marine biology
At the same time, Virginie began scuba diving during school breaks.
“Little by little, with the help of local organizations, I learned how to do technical diving, and at the same time, I started studying marine biology.”
Off to new adventures abroad
Always eager to learn and discover new things, Virginie enrolled in a new program and earned a master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language.
“At that point, I thought to myself: if I teach abroad, I’ll be able to immerse myself in a foreign culture. I worked at the university, taught French as a foreign language at the French Embassy in Qatar, and then became a teacher at the Alliance Française in Hong Kong.”
Return to France
After receiving a job offer from the University of Sciences in Lille, Virginie returned to France and juggled two jobs: she taught elementary school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and taught at the university on Wednesdays and Fridays.
“It suited me pretty well. It was interesting to be able to talk to students and work with children on environmental education. The transition between the two was sometimes tricky; I had to adjust my vocabulary.”
After moving to Montpellier in the south of France, Virginie continued her work in marine biology and became a marine biology instructor with the FFESM (French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports).
Obtaining professional training leave as a catalyst
Wanting to work in the sciences and environmental protection, she managed to secure a 10-month leave of absence for professional training.
“I wanted to continue the science studies I had started, because I could see that, as a teacher, I was always drawn to science, so I might as well see it through to the end.”
In 2022, Virginie Zajdel enrolled in the IEGB Master’s program (Ecological Engineering and Biodiversity Management) with the “Biodiv’In” dual specialization as part of the continuing education program at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Montpellier.
“It was a truly joyful moment—I was on track to complete a five-year degree in just one year with this master’s program, and at the same time, I found out I was expecting a baby boy. With the birth of my son in January, I had to split the year into two parts. I spent thefirst semester pregnant and had to take the January and February exams the following year.”
As part of this training program, Virginie Zajdel will join the teams at the OFB (French Office for Biodiversity) for a six-month internship focusing on marine invasive alien species.
A unique experience
“I really love learning, so I really enjoyed going back to college. Plus, the students were all so welcoming—we made a great team. What made it a little more special was that I was pregnant; it was something I’d never experienced before.”
Virginie will officially graduate with a Master’s degree in IEGB (Ecological Engineering and Biodiversity Management) on November 30. Now that her 10-month professional training leave has ended, she is currently continuing her work as an elementary school teacher.
The Birth of a New Project
As part of the 2024 Science Festival, themed “Water in All Its Forms,” Virginie Zajdel has collaborated with the University Libraries of the University of Montpellier to create a photography exhibition on marine biology titled “Beneath the Surface: Explore the Depths of the Mediterranean.”
In response to the students’ enthusiastic response to this project, Virginie is now deeply involved in developing hands-on marine biology workshops alongside her work as a schoolteacher.
The Virginia Council
“I think that when you start this kind of process, you need to have time to fully commit to your career change, as well as a clear goal and a well-defined career plan.
Going back to school is very important; I even think that if I could continue, I would.”
A career change is much more than just switching jobs; it’s a rewarding journey that can profoundly transform your life. Although it’s fraught with doubts and challenges, a career change offers the opportunity to redefine your path and explore new horizons.
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