Career Change: Dare to Make a Change!
In an ever-changing job market, career transition has become an essential way to reinvent one's career.
Whether you want to rediscover long-forgotten 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…
As part of National Career Transition Day, which takes place on November 14, 2024, we’d like to share three testimonials from trainees at “ ” the continuing education program for career transition atthe University of Montpellier.
The goal? To introduce you to people who are driven by their goals and have unique career paths. They’ve all had doubts and fears, but they’ve 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 Consultant
A Testimony by 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 left her unable to work in her profession, to embark on a career change by enrolling in the Master’s program in Risk and Environment at ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality) in Montpellier.
Educational Background
After earning her high school diploma, Emmanuelle began studying medicine. Realizing fairly quickly that she didn’t enjoy it—and feeling more drawn to the preventive aspect of healthcare—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 safety in healthcare, 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 degree programs and speak with Claire Chaffard, the director of academic affairs.
Afterward, Emmanuelle found a work-study position at the SNCF and joined the Class of 2022 in 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 build my career path. However, it was a deliberate choice to switch industries—to avoid the healthcare sector—because I wanted to open myself up to something else, and the rail industry specifically 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, you face different challenges—financial ones, in particular—and it's true that I put a certain amount of pressure on myself because of that, but at the same time, this experience was a kind of revelation for me."
Re-entry into the Workforce After Career Transition
After two years of study, Emmanuelle earned her master's degree in June 2024.
"I currently work as an occupational risk prevention consultant in Nîmes. I plan to move closer to Montpellier next January to take a position in quality assurance and risk prevention—the two areas I enjoy the most."
In my day-to-day professional practice, I feel comfortable, and I feel like there are many aspects of my previous professional experience that have 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 tend to worry a lot about that—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’ve realized that it opens up new perspectives, offers a different way of looking at problems, and therefore provides 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 your target field—contacting continuing education programs, and discussing this plan with those around you to help it take shape, evolve, and become your own.”
A Final Word
“I would like to thank the team at ESEQ (School of Safety, Environment, and Quality), 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
A Testimony by Charles Heiderscheid, 37
After completing a work-study program leading to a BTS in Optometry in Lyon, Charles worked for 2 years in France and 8 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 the optics field in France; I wanted to work in the environmental sector. While doing some research from Canada, I came across a work-study bachelor’s degree program in QSE (Quality, Safety, Environment) at ESEQ in Montpellier.”
"For me, going back to school was a necessary step toward changing careers—more than just a challenge. In France, having degrees 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 complicated. That part was mentally challenging, but I had prepared myself for it."
"I talked about it with the other adults in my continuing education 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 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 program, I realized that working remotely was very difficult. Since I couldn't move because of my family situation, I continued my search for several months…"
In mid-May, Charles came across an ad that caught his attention.
"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, the 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 this training program, we heard from many professionals in basketball, soccer, and rugby… This university diploma ( DU ) allows you to build your professional network and meet people you probably 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 diploma in Sports Performance Video Analysis, Charles decided to work as a freelance video analyst in rugby.
“At that time, 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 that field, or start my own business in video analysis.”
"I've decided to go out on my own and devote myself 100% 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 just one 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—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 enrolled in the IEGB (Ecological Engineering and Biodiversity Management) master’s program at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Montpellier in 2022 as part of a professional development leave, while continuing to work as an elementary school teacher.
A passion for the environment since childhood
“I’ve been a nature lover since I was a very young child. I’ve always been connected to the aquatic world, and ever since I was very young, I’ve had a passion for observing animals, caterpillars, cocoons, butterflies…”
A scientific academic background
“I studied science; I have a BAC S with a concentration in math. After that, I wanted to become a ‘Nature Guide,’ so I earned a DEUST (Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Scientifiques et Techniques) 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 continued her studies with a master’s degree in Urban Planning and the Environment in 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 train nature guides, and where she developed numerous projects focused on ponds, rivers, and forests for students of all ages in elementary school.
A Shift Toward Education
Following this experience, with an eye toward a potential career in teaching, Virginie enrolled in a dual-degree program leading to a Bachelor’s degree in History, Law, and Modern Literature, which she combined with a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Literature; she went on to earn a Master’s degree in Modern Literature with honors. At the same time, she held a student job as a library assistant at the university.
During her master’s program, she took and passed the exams to become an elementary school teacher for students in Cycle 3 (CM1, CM2). This was an opportunity for her to share her passion with her students:
“I developed many projects—strangely enough, all related to the environment and environmental education. It was truly a passion of mine, and I really enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of it—combining math, science, and literature: we created gardens within schools, and then, little by little, I got them involved in a bit of entomology: 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 various organizations, I learned how to do technical diving, and at the same time, I began studying marine biology."
Setting off on new adventures abroad
Driven by her constant desire 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 moment, I thought to myself: if I’m a teacher abroad, I’ll be able to go scuba diving abroad. 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 was an elementary school teacher on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and a university instructor 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 adapt my vocabulary.”
After being transferred 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).
Receiving professional training leave as a catalyst
Wanting to work in the sciences and in environmental protection, she managed to secure a 10-month professional training leave.
“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.”
Thus, in 2022, Virginie Zajdel enrolled in the IEGB (Ecological Engineering and Biodiversity Management) master’s program 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 moment of great joy—I was on track to complete a five-year degree in 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 my year into two parts. I spent thefirst quarter 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 invasive marine species.
A unique experience
“I really love learning, so I really enjoyed going back to college. Plus, the students were all very 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, in collaboration with the University Libraries of the University of Montpellier, has created 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 workshops on marine biology alongside her work as an elementary school teacher.
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.
Become a Continuing Education intern at the University of Montpellier and take the leap to reinvent your professional career.
No matter what your project is, we're here to support you.
Ready to get started? Contact us!
