Karen Thompson gave up office work for the exciting, uncertain world of tour guiding
"Ohhhh! That would be perfect for me!"
Karen Thompson was working in an office overseas when she developed occupational overuse syndrome. “I came home to New Zealand, and thought, ‘I have to look at my life and decide what to do’.
"I wanted to travel and I wanted to get away from office work. Then I met a tour guide and I thought, 'Ohhhh! That would be perfect for me!'"
She sent her CV to an international tour company, and ended up with a job as a tour hostess in Canada. She loved the new job. "It was fantastic! I’m just a people person – I love people!"
Karen says her previous work helped her get into the job. "I had quite a good background in tourism. I'd worked at the Agrodome as a receptionist, and in tourism promotions, and they could see I was capable.
"I worked in Canada for three summers. I’d work in New Zealand in the off season, temping in an office."
Taking a big risk paid off – in satisfaction
The seasonal nature of the work meant Karen had to take a huge financial risk when starting out. "I had to throw caution to the wind. You only get paid a daily rate and only when the tours are happening. It’s hard to get permanent work, because those permanent people don’t leave. And, come the off season, you’ve got to find other work. You don't earn enough to carry you over the off season, so it’s good to have another skill."
Karen was initially worried about being able to make enough money, but her background in office work was a great help in finding temporary work.
"I'd worked in promotions and in credit control, and as a receptionist. That was really good, because I can walk into any temp agency and get work. You learn to become very frugal, just in case. I’m pleased I’ve been frugal, because I’ve been able to carry on doing this job."
"If you're not working, you don't get paid"
Karen is proud of how she's managed to cope with the uncertain workflow. "It’s not like a proper fixed job. If you are sick in an office job, you get sick leave. Here if you are not working, you don’t get paid.
"Now I just take it all in my stride, because I know things work out. I just think it takes guts to do it. A lot of people don’t want to give up the security of a permanent job."
