I quit my security job for a job no one wants – now I’m making thousands as a freelancer
A MAN has revealed how he quit his job as a security guard at Sainsbury’s to pursue a less conventional – and seedier – career.
According to Indeed’s career experts, his career isn’t a popular choice, meaning the skills required for it are in high demand.
2
2
The self-employed person is a drainage technician.
These professionals are specialized in maintaining water drainage systems and transport systems in sewer pipes.
Appears on Aydan Al-Saad’s TikTok Career Showthe man said he earns £40,000 a year from this often messy job.
He specializes in clearing blockages in drainage systems.
“I’ve never really regretted it,” he said of his decision to quit as a security guard.
“I was just tired of going to meetings.
“So I went into drainage, learned the trade for about two years and then went into business for myself.”
The drainage expert is self-employed in central London, which he says is ideal for “being able to work when you want”.
He admitted that the worst part of his job is “dealing with really bad blockages,” which can often be filled with “grease and oil.”
“It’s a challenge,” he added.
“You just have to go for it, and if you are successful, you are self-employed for the rest of the year.”
According to the career experts at IndeedDespite its lack of appeal, the drainage engineering profession is “a job with excellent career opportunities.”
“Drainage engineers work in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, so career prospects for this role may vary,” a blog post about the career path states.
“One of the key aspects of the assignment is to develop infrastructure to drain rainwater from vital infrastructure such as main roads, highways and railways.
What do drainage engineers do?
Drainage engineers are responsible for designing, planning and maintaining drainage systems, both inside buildings and under streets.
Their duties include:
- Conducting surveys to determine the condition of existing drainage systems and how they can be improved
- Remove blockages that prevent drainage systems from working properly. This can be anything from minor blockages in the sink to major underground blockages.
- Implement drainage solutions to reduce flood risks and ensure systems function smoothly
- Creating technical documents and reports to show what they discovered and solved during a job
“They are also trying to control irrigation and flooding on farmland and devising ways to divert sewage and wastewater from clean water sources.”
You can enter this sector by obtaining a degree in civil engineering, attending university or completing an apprenticeship.
“Troubleshooting is an essential skill for drainage engineers, as they often have to adapt to changes in project plans or devise ways to solve problems,” they added.
“Every project has its own problems that need to be addressed and good problem-solving skills help drainage engineers come up with creative solutions.”
