A friend's recommendation helped Nadine Norman determine what her first career would be.

"I worked for four years as a beautician after I finished school. A friend had done it, so I took their recommendation," she says.

Norman's beauty career started with a course at a private college. "They taught us a lot, including skin science, nail science, how to do tasks like give manicures and pedicures, as well as all about the practical side of being a beautician," she says.

A stint of work experience in a day spa in the Hunter Valley paved the way for Norman to get her first paid role in the field.

"I worked there for a year, then moved to the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal to work as a beautician for them," she says.

Life as a beautician meant a busy schedule for Norman. "My day could range from doing body treatments like massage through to manicures or pedicures. I'd do six to eight treatments in a day."

While some days were more physically demanding than others, she says she was surprised by how much of herself went into the job. "You put a lot into it emotionally."

Working in a resort environment meant many of Norman's clients were drop-ins, although getting to know everyone was still a key part of the job. "You had to get to know each client," she says. "Mostly it was basic chit-chat, although sometimes people won't speak [as they just want to relax]."

But when clients did speak, Norman found that beauticians, like hairdressers, often become confidants of their customers.

"It's surprising what people tell you in an hour - about their kids, relationships and families - often when you don't even ask," she says.

Eventually, Norman realised she was ready for a change. "I worked a lot on weekends and felt my job took a lot out of me."

Although she had been wondering what to do next, it was a part-time stint in a cafe that she took on to save up for an overseas holiday that inadvertently led to her latest career: that of barista and barista trainer.

"I started working in a Danes [coffee] store and loved it," she says. "It was very social; I had heaps of regular customers so I really got to know everyone."

She soon realised she also loved the skills required to crank out a good coffee every time. "I didn't know how involved it could be."

Within a year, Norman was recruited to help in the company headquarters. "Initially, I helped the trainer run the courses and kept working in the cafe, too," she says. "But soon after, I moved to work at the office full time. My job now is to look after wholesale customers with their orders and run the workshops which teach our clients how to make a quality espresso."

According to Norman, the key to making a good coffee is multifaceted. "It's about the beans, the dosage, the texturing of the milk and the coffee extraction - all of those factors play a role."

Now her switch is complete, Norman is able to sit back and smell the beans. "My job satisfaction now is brilliant," she says.

Then:
Salary: $21 an hour.
Work-life balance: "I travelled, as I lived on the central coast and worked in the Hunter Valley. A lot of my time was spent at work."
Hours: Full-time equivalent (40-plus hours), including some weekends.

Now:
Salary: $40,000-$50,000. "It's a lot better than beauty, although partly that was because I was previously paid casual rates."
Work-life balance: "I still travel from the central coast but my weekends are free. I row and compete with that. Because I get home earlier now, I have time for that."
Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Miss: "I do have moments when I miss the quiet, peaceful environment. Sometimes it gets hectic."
Challenges: "To launch some new courses for 2012 and make sure we continue teaching people to make quality coffee."