CHANGING careers is always a difficult transition which takes courage and determination, particularly for older members of the workforce.

One brave man taking the plunge at the age of 52 is Mr Chris Jordan, of Titian Avenue, Bushey Heath.

After 34 years as a civil servant he has decided to follow his heart and fulfil his yearning for a career in art.

Mr Jordan, who is married to Marion and has two children, Elizabeth and Mark, was offered early retirement from his job as a manager in the department of health and social security.

Turning a potentially negative situation into something positive, he embarked on a BA course in art history at Camberwell College in London.

He is now in his final year and looking forward to working as a lecturer in art history.

Mr Jordan said: "I had been a civil servant all my life and when I had the opportunity to take early retirement I thought it was a good chance for a change of career.

"I have always hankered after a career in art and eventually hope to become a self-employed freelance lecturer in art history.

"It was a very difficult decision when you have been doing one job for most of your life.

"Most people thought I was nuts, but it's turned out to be the best thing I've ever done. It has been a wonderful experience."

Mr Jordan has had a life-long interest in art and enjoys typographical drawing and has had some of his writing on local history published.

His course is going well and he has already taken a step on the path of his chosen career by working one day a week in a curatorial role at a gallery in London.

Last year he was awarded the 1997 Travelling Fellowship from the directors of The World of Drawings and Watercolours Fair which he used to carry out research at Orange Museum and Art Gallery in France.

The World of Drawings and Watercolours Fair 1998 runs from Wednesday, January 28, to Sunday, February 1, at The Dorchester, Park Lane, London. Career change: mature student Mr Chris Jordan (right), who is changing jobs from civil service to art history lecturing, is awarded the 1997 Travelling Fellowship from Mr William Drummond, of The World of Drawings and Watercolours Fair.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.