Admin appeals to former chef

By TANYA MARSCHKE (Gold Coast Sun)

THERE are several reasons why older workers decide to change careers and, for former chef Stuart Lawson, 46, the reason was to improve his lifestyle.

"I started my career in the Royal Australian Navy as a 17-year-old," he said. "I spent seven years there, then I continued in the cooking and hospitality industry until four or five years ago."

Mr Lawson said that he simply felt it was time to head in a new direction.

"At one job, I would start at 4am and work until midday, I also worked split shifts, on weekends and public holidays.

"I lost enthusiasm so I wanted to do something different with my life.

"Even though I thoroughly enjoy cooking, there is more to life than standing behind a stove all day."

Mr Lawson said that, as a single man, he did not mind putting in extra hours but, now that he has left the hospitality industry, he enjoys the freedom of being able to plan his day rather than having to wait around for a phone call to see if he had to go in to work.

His first job out of the hospitality industry was as a gas meter reader but he is now hoping to get a job in administration.

"I was a field officer for the entire Gold Coast. I stuck to it for two and a half years," he said.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and, in the end, I decided that I wanted to work in an office environment."

Mr Lawson is working part-time as a cleaner while completing a Certificate II in Business with Sarina Russo Institute.

"I'm enjoying it," he said.

"There are two or three others about my age who are doing this course."

Mr Lawson said he would like to work in administration for a media outlet or in the hospitality industry.

Judi McConville from job agency Sarina Russo said lifestyle was a key factor for people looking to make a major career change later in life.