Physio switches from massaging people to kneading dough

Physiotherapist Rebecca is making a career switch to baking. She says it is still a kind of therapy because sweet treats make people happy!

After 10 years as a physiotherapist, Rebecca Wong is switching careers. She has been working towards her Certificate III in Baking at William Angliss Institute for 2 years.

She jokes that that move was her mid-life crisis.

‘I wanted a bit of a change in my life. I wanted to pursue other interests,’ she said.

‘I baked at home, and I loved it. So, I thought I’d give TAFE a go and see if I wanted to do baking as a job. I started with the Cert II in Baking part-time for six months. And I loved it so much that I went back for Cert III.’

‘It really helped me ease into that decision rather than taking a giant leap.’

William Angliss Institute is accommodating Rebecca’s need to balance her job and her training. She goes in to campus once or twice a week, depending on the units she needs to do.

‘I still have to work and to pay bills! So, I need to study part-time, and they have been very helpful in allowing me to do that,’ she said.

Her course has covered a lot of topics in a short amount of time. But Rebecca says the instructors are talented and knowledgeable, and they support students to do their best.

‘The instructors can be quite adventurous; they don't just stick to one way of doing things. There are many ways to do different things, depending on the person, so they try to guide you down the path that works best for you.’

The mix of people in her classes is varied, from teenagers who have just finished Year 12 to mature students. Some, like her, are switching careers while others are returning to work after looking after their children.

‘We have a really great range of people in the class, of different levels of experience and from different backgrounds, walks of life and countries.’

‘I have never been in such a diverse learning environment in my entire life – and I come from Malaysia, which is really diverse!’

Like a lot of students who go to TAFE, Rebecca has built strong friendships with the people from her class. It was not something she expected when she started her training.

‘The friends you make in a class of people who have the exact same passion as you, it's a different feeling. And I'm so surprised – pleasantly surprised – that we get so close.’

TAFEs can facilitate many different ways to learn, from arranging flexible study times to providing a range of student supports. Rebecca’s advice to anyone considering a career switch is to contact your preferred TAFE.

‘You never know what's available to you!’ she said.

‘I didn't know there were all these options to study part-time or to get support until I started my course. I would chat with other students, and they would go “oh yeah, they helped me do that”.’

Rebecca is pleased she made the switch to baking. She is loving working with her instructors and classmates in the kitchen.

‘As with everything in life, there are challenges and it's not easy. But the rewards are so fulfilling,’ she said.

‘Baking is like therapy for me. And it's a sort of therapy for other people too. I enjoy baking things and watching people enjoy them! Eating sweet things just always makes everything better.’

Learn more about TAFE Victoria.