Marketing professional goes bush!
After a few years working my way up the corporate ladder in a promising career in marketing in Australia, I realised the long days, weekends spent in the office and never-ending 'to-do list' was not the life I wanted to be living in my mid-twenties.So, after cashing in on over 3 months leave I had accumulated (after not taking a holiday in more than 3 years (unless you count 2 days over Christmas!), I packed my bag and bought a one-way ticket to Kenya! I have since travelled extensively throughout East and Southern Africa, including spending 3 wonderful months in the Masai Mara (waking each day to the sound of hyenas whooping and lions roaring).
How I can help Esc members
Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions! I am now lucky enough to know a great deal of people across East Africa - many of whom need highly skilled individuals to work on projects and in companies - developing both socially and environmentally sustainable communities etc.
Currently...
Now, I have combined my marketing expertise, and enthusiasm for the bush and am working for a luxury safari company who owns lodges throughout East Africa.
Before I escaped...
In-house corporate marketing - ranging from direct marketing, to social media marketing to event management. Managing budgets in excess of AU$10 million per annum and a team of 9 left me exhausted and drained. The 'spark' was gone.
My moment of truth...
I was fortunate enough to be able to take a 1 month holiday (the first holiday in 3 years), and while I was away from the office - the hustle and bustle - and being caught up in it all, I gained perspective.It was sitting in a coffee shop in Ireland a few days before my return flight to Australia, where I wrote my resignation letter. And I promptly handed it in on my first day back in the office!
Planning for it...
I resigned from my job, sold my car, rented out my apartment and bought a ticket.It doesn't need to be overly complicated - unless YOU want it to be!
The worst and best bits...
Best - I now have a life. I am healthier than I have ever been before (the take-away food, frequent events and excessive alcohol fuelled nights have gone and so has more than 12kgs!). I have a wonderful social and personal life. I am laughing WAY more than I ever used to.Worst - Salary. I am now earning a quarter of what I did. But you know what, so maybe I don't drive a car that is as flashy, or maybe I don't dine in the 'in' places as frequently. I have adjusted my lifestyle to suit my now more humble earnings - and it hasn't hurt too much ;-)
