Changing direction in your career or studies can feel daunting, but it can reignite your enthusiasm and create new opportunities when circumstances change.

Following the inspiring stories of Dr Kira Hughes, Jo Weston and Tim Harte, Lucky Perera’s journey from scientist to photographer to teacher shows how staying open to new possibilities and gaining new skills can help you adapt and pursue what matters most to you.

Embrace change to give yourself options

Lucky says he was more cautious about change in his younger years, but his experiences taught him the value of stepping outside his comfort zone:

‘I see the joy life can bring through being brave and going and doing something in the moment.’

Throughout his career, he focused on gaining skills and experience to allow for more choice and flexibility:

‘What do you need to do to work towards giving yourself options? I’ve given myself enough things in life to be able to go, “Okay, if that happens, then this will work out”.’

But you don’t need to make major changes all at once:

‘There are little incremental things we can do to support ourselves, to be able to get our lives to where we want to end up.’

Follow your interests

Not everything you try will be for you. Lucky began studying engineering, before realising physics was a better fit:

‘I got into an engineering degree, and I was about six months into it when I realised, “I don’t know if this is what I wanna be doing”. So, I tacked on a physics degree as well.’

This led Lucky to complete a Master of Medical Physics and PhD in medical radiation physics. When a research opportunity didn’t work out, he took the plunge and pursued his interest in photography:

‘When it comes to careers, work and opportunities, I encourage everyone to go and do what makes you feel happy.’

Be yourself

By staying true to his values and focusing on human connection and authenticity, Lucky built a successful photography career that took him across Australia and around the world.

‘Why would anybody want to hire you? The best way is to present yourself in the way you are and want to be seen. Then you will attract people with the same values, who are interested in the same stuff.’

Adapting to circumstances

Like many people, Lucky’s career plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As photography work slowed, he reflected on what he wanted to do next.

‘With that time, I thought about what else I could get myself into and I’d always loved teaching.’

That decision led him to study a Master of Teaching at Deakin, building on the skills and experiences he’d gained throughout his career and helping him move into a completely new profession.

Teaching future generations

Lucky has carried lessons from every stage of his career into his teaching, where he focuses on connection:

‘You can help kids know they’re loved and they’re supported and that you see them for who they are.’

He’s even returned to his scientific roots by establishing a physics elective at his school.

And, as ever, Lucky is open to taking new chances going forward:

‘I would never have become a photographer if I hadn’t taken that jump. I would not have become a teacher if I hadn’t been able to go back to Uni.’

Stories of Wonder

Find out more about Lucky’s learning journey, as well as many others, in the Stories of Wonder series:

‘Stories of Wonder’ is a multimedia series celebrating the impact Deakin students, alumni, researchers and staff are making in the world, hosted by Deakin alum Don Hennequin.

Related links

If Lucky’s story inspired you:

• View some of Lucky’s photography.
• Search for what your next degree could be with Find a course.
• Get career advice from DeakinTALENT or discuss your course options with Student Central.