FROM TATTOOS TO TODDLERS

CAREER CHANGES CAN BRING NEW CHALLENGES

MATTHEW Grungo was aged in his early 30s when he discovered his calling.

The former martial arts instructor, 37, who was a tattooist for 12 years before that, had been teaching children when it was suggested he pursue a career in early childhood education.

“I was having a lot of kids who were coming in having challenges – whether it was children with autism, or with an abusive background,” he says.

“Someone said ‘if you are interested in (helping them), why don’t you work in that full time?’. I got my diploma and off I went.” Now an early childhood educator at Goodstart Early Learning, Grungo says every week brings a new challenge and new perspective.

“It’s hugely rewarding; (for example) those days when a child says your name for the first time because they haven’t been able to speak before,” he says. Grungo says workers who want to make a career change into any industry should have a passion for the work.

“If you’re keen about it and you’re going to be genuine – particularly if you want to work in my profession, children will spot you a mile off – you’ll last longer at your job,” he says.

“If you’re not interested, you simply won’t do.”