Think about what makes you happy

Not long ago, the idea of turning a hobby into a profitable career was almost unheard of. A job was a job and a hobby was something you enjoyed in your spare time. But today, more and more people are choosing to turn their passion into a life-changing and lucrative career.

A major career change will take work, and sometimes require more study, but don't just dismiss it as too hard. You might just be onto something. For a start, if you're interested in a particular industry and enthusiastic about it, you're far more likely to succeed at it.

If the thought of switching careers sounds good, but you don't know where to start, a good idea is to think about what makes you happy. List your skills and interests – is there sport involved? Or baking? Do you love wine, or are you a gym addict? Perhaps you've always loved homemaking or decorating. Now think how you might take those interests and transform them into your perfect job. How would you like to be a personal trainer, or a chef, a vineyard manager or an interior designer?

TAFE NSW offers hundreds of courses so you can dive straight into the subject you love and come out with a nationally recognised accreditation at the end.

But before you jump in headfirst, take the time to plan. Make sure you understand what's involved with each course, the study hours and the potential job opportunities after graduation. Also, be sure that you're taking the right subjects. For example, if you want to start your own plumbing or baking business, do you need business qualifications as well as specific skills training?

Choosing the right course is essential as it's the gateway to your new career. To find out more about any of the courses you're interested in, you can view all the information, such as course descriptions, campuses, fees and how to enrol by visiting TAFE NSW courses.

Pursuing your passion will be far more successful with the right training, skills development and qualifications under your belt.