Vias Karaouzas, from full-time finance to part-time golf

“I worked full time in corporate finance for 22 years until the impact of the pandemic eliminated my position. Shortly after this, I happened to get an email about a seasonal job opening at a course my friends and I had played at quite a bit when we were younger. I got the job and I absolutely fell in love with it. There’s nothing better than being at a golf course all day.

I’ve been playing golf since high school, but this was my first job in the industry. It’s so different than the corporate world. I love being outside and especially enjoy the fun of being around the younger players. I regret that I didn’t start golf at an earlier age. But now I have the flexibility to coach my 9-year-old godson how to play.

I was just looking to do this job for one season because I was unemployed and wanted to take a summer and enjoy myself, but I loved it so much, I made it a permanent situation. I still do finance, but I switched to consulting in the winter so I can have the golf season open to continue working at the course. If you can get yourself to a position later in your career to follow your passion, I’d recommend taking a step back from the daily grind and doing something you enjoy.”