From a desk job to mountain biking, a Yarra Ranges resident has made a bold career move that has given him a life in a job he loves.
For Ferny Creek local Damien Taulien, stepping away from an established career in IT took a significant leap of faith. However, being stuck indoors during the pandemic made him reevaluate whether there was more to life than his nine-to-five desk job.
“I could have stayed in something safe but unfulfilling, counting down the days until retirement, but I wanted more,” said Mr Taulien.
As a working parent responsible for supporting his family, quitting his job and giving up a steady pay cheque was a bold move for Damien.
But it turned out to be the right one.
Shortly after leaving, a friend invited him to keep the wheels rolling in a program teaching primary school-aged children to ride bikes.
“I found a job I loved, and I didn’t even know what I was looking for,” said Mr Taulien.
With his newfound passion for teaching kids to ride, Damien asked around for the next steps to gain qualifications in outdoor education and leadership. Friends suggested he enrol in Box Hill Institute’s (BHI)
Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership at the Lilydale campus, the only TAFE in Victoria that teaches mountain biking.
This course is part of Victoria’s Free TAFE initiative, aimed at addressing critical skills gaps.
The outdoor recreation sector is estimated to generate $11 billion annually for Victoria’s economy.
Activities like mountain bike riding are increasing in popularity in the Yarra Ranges, creating jobs for people with outdoor leadership skills.
In fact, the new Warburton Bike Park, which recently opened its first section, is projected to create around 150 jobs and inject over $31 million annually into the local Yarra Valley economy by 2031.
As a mature-aged student, Damien feels returning to study has opened his mind to a new world of possibilities.
“I feel reinvigorated. I’m always looking for excuses to get outdoors -at last, I’m in the right place,” said Mr Taulien.
To help others like Damien discover their path, BHI is hosting a free Careers Expo at Box Hill Town Hall on Tuesday, 7 October from 4-7pm.
To learn more, visit their website boxhill.edu.au/events/bhi-careers-expo/
