💻Career Compass #8
Diving into the paths of other modern millennial women.
Welcome back to Career Compass on The Navigation: a monthly series exploring other women’s musings, meanderings and methods for navigating life, with a focus on their career paths. Through short interviews with twenty- or thirty-something women, we’ll explore linear and non-linear career paths, how they approach work to make it work for them, and the blurred lines between hobbies and hustles.
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After welcoming Dr Sarah and Dr Nia in recent posts, it’s becoming a bit of a theme… this month we have another doctor in the house! The latest Career Compass guest is a woman I have known for approximately 28 of my 30 years on this planet. Dr Tayla Baker and I grew up together, living in nearby villages and attending the same schools, moving through phases of dance routines and dinners at each other’s homes, to girls holidays and too many cocktails. More often than not, we also had Charlotte by our side, together forming TLC (see what we did there?). We were, in fact, the trio at the Battersea Park Musicals event I mentioned last weekend.
An ever-determined spirit, Tayla nailed down her chosen career path while many of us had no idea who or what we wanted to be, let alone how to get there, and today works full time as a dentist. She loves her day job; so much so that she has continued to gain more certifications and qualifications in various aspects of all things teeth.
But, since planning a wedding last year - indeed she and her husband (who, wonderfully, is also a reader of
) were the Sophie and Sky of my Mamma Mia! meanderings - Tayla has found her creative side, getting stuck into a range of projects, often with complex machinery, but all for the love of creating. There’s no side hustle here; no intentions to expand into something more than personalised gifts for loved ones, and helping out friends with new creations.It’s rare, I think, that we allow ourselves to create in this way, for pure joy. Even more so to find someone that does this, not to escape from a career or job they don’t feel fulfilled by, but simply to add another layer of richness to life.
So, let’s learn a bit more about Tayla’s creative, and medical, journey, and perhaps drum up a little inspiration for you along the way …
Thank you Tayla for being a guest on The Navigation!
Could we start off with you sharing some musings on finding your creative flair in recent years, and how you fit creative activities in with a full-time job as a dentist?
Yes! So I got married a year ago and decided I’d like to add some personal touches to our wedding experience, rather than everything having been designed or created by others. I started looking at different ideas for wedding invites online, and feeling inspired by a few particular designs, I did some research on how to achieve the effect.
Based on the look I was going for, it seemed investing in a Cricut machine would help me achieve the desired effect. I wanted something that could give me both precision and versatility, and came across various example online where people had used Cricut machines to create intricate designs, cut different materials, and even do things like engraving and foiling, all of which aligned with what I wanted to achieve for the wedding invites.
It was an expensive purchase, but I had a vision to continue using the machine for other creations as a hobby after the initial invites were made. Plus I found that the Cricut had a strong community of users, which meant I could find plenty of tutorials and support if I needed help along the way.
For my wedding invites I used acrylic sheets and a combination of techniques on my Cricut including engraving and foiling. I also painted the engraving afterwards - which I found really relaxing! Ideal for when you’re in the midst of wedding prep.
Thankfully, the whole experience of crafting the invites was really enjoyable and so my vision to continue using the Cricut as a hobby started to become a reality. I also used it for making name placement cards for the wedding, cutting out the name in metallic vinyl material with the machine and then transferring the name onto a small piece of acrylic, and fixing a bow around the end.
This year I started looking for other projects I could use my machine for, and one of the main ones has been cutting small keychains, designed on the Cricut app on my laptop.
As you previously shared in an issue of Cultural Compass, a group of friends and I have then been painting these as a way to raise money for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Anyone who donates via the link shared on our social media campaigns is sent one of our ‘Keys for Palestine’ as reminder that we are not free, until we are all free. It’s felt really rewarding to use my creativity for good in this way.
I have also used it to make custom flute glasses for a friend’s hen party. I use the machine to cut out the name, then transfer it to a champagne glass.
Since the purchase of the Cricut, my machinery collection has continued to grow! Although the Cricut is great, there are some limitations with the thickness of material that can be used, that it can cut or engrave. So for my 30th birthday this year, my husband gifted me a laser cutting machine, which offers more precision for my projects. He knows how much I’ve enjoyed crafting and am full of ideas for different projects to work on in my spare time! So it really was a great gift.
It’s been more of a complex addition than initially anticipated though, and I’ve only recently got the laser machine running after a few initial set backs, but now looking forward to creating lots of new things. For others interested in getting one, don’t be put off by the set backs, but just know that there are many different types of laser machines to choose from, all with their strengths and weaknesses. Some will engrave only on certain materials, some engrave but cannot cut etc. It takes a lot of reading, especially for someone like me without an engineering background or any experience with complicated machinery! As a newbie, it was complex to set up and trying to wrap my head around the physics and different parts - it took a lot of trial and error, but we got there in the end.
Since getting the laser, I’ve used the machine to cut out new and improved ‘Keys for Palestine,’ which are much thicker and sturdier than the ones I previously made with my Cricut. The laser machine has made this process significantly faster too, cutting out a thick wooden key in just 40 seconds.
I’ve also made some ‘scan for WiFi’ signs as a fun feature to have in our home. Guests can scan a QR code with their phone to connect to our home WiFi, and it’s nice to add an interesting touch to something as simple as sharing this information.
Other creations have included a wooden cake topper for a friend’s wedding, and I have a few family members and friends who are engaged and planning a wedding at the moment and I hope to be able to help out with things like table signage and name cards. The laser machine’s ability to cut and engrave a variety of materials, such as wood, acrylic, rubber, leather, and even glass (for engraving), opens up lots of creative possibilities!
My husband has also suggested that I try making some pendant wooden lights using the machine, which would be a fun and challenging project. I’m really looking forward to experimenting and seeing what else I can create with it.
In addition to the Cricut and laser, I have also bought a heat press, and started making custom iron-on vinyl t-shirts. I made some fun festive personalised ones for the family last Christmas, and as gifts for friends this year. I use the Cricut to cut out the text or image for the t-shirt, then use the heat press to adhere it to the fabric.
It is possible to do this with a regular iron but the heat press makes the process much easier and more reliable. It allows me to easily adjust the temperature and has a countdown timer, which is helpful because different iron-on materials require different pressing times. For example, glitter iron-on needs to be pressed longer, while foil-type iron-on requires less time to avoid looking crinkled.
With the heat press and the Cricut Heat app, I can select the material I’m using and set a timer, reducing the likelihood of making mistakes. Although I currently only use it for t-shirts, there are other types of presses available, like mug and hat presses, which I might consider exploring in the future.
Recently, I’ve also started making my own candles, which has been another fun venture. I used to buy candles regularly, so it felt natural to start making them myself as part of my creative explorations. I began by sampling a few fragrance oils, and, after finding my favourites, I now buy them in bulk. My Cricut also comes in handy here, as I use it to cut out vinyl labels for my candles.
Gosh you really HAVE been getting creative! I loved getting the personalised TLC t-shirt for my birthday this year. And your candles look so professional.
So do you see this starting to take over as more than a hobby at all? You’ve put a lot of investment into learning, and all the equipment… could it be a new business venture?
I love my day job as a dentist, and find every rewarding, but that can be quite stressful at times. I have seen my crafting as a relaxing hobby, my way to unwind, and I’m careful not to let it turn into a source of stress by transforming it into a business, which others have recommended. I enjoy creating purely for myself and for making personal gifts for loved ones.
And it’s not something I’d necessarily want to do everyday. I usually just do crafting on the weekends if I don’t have many plans elsewhere, but I do block off some time mid-week as well. But this rhythm of working on a personal project 2-3 days a week suits me.
That makes sense, and I think it’s really refreshing that you don’t have a desire to turn it into an Etsy empire! Not that there’s anything wrong with those who do have that dream, but I think it’s often too easy to get caught up in the rhetoric of something we love needing to become a source of income.
But, as you’ve mentioned, you’re very happy in the day job! Could you share a bit more insight into the meanderings that led you down this path to working in dentistry, but with an aesthetics element too?
In school I preferred the science subjects and so looked into different career paths that related to these. We had some family friends at the time who were orthodontists, and so after doing some work experience with them as a teenager, I decided it would be a rewarding and exciting career! I studied Biology and Chemistry (the necessary subjects for dental school) at A-level and after achieving the grades, accepted an offer at Bristol Dental School, starting in September 2012. The degree is five years and although I had an amazing experience, I did graduate later than many of my friends, and most days would be in lectures and clinics from 8am to 5pm, which really took it’s toll.
Since graduating, I moved around a bit and did a couple of hospital jobs as an Oral and Maxillofacial (‘Maxfacs’) Surgery Senior House Officer (SHO), first at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth (which is where I met my now husband, who was working there as a junior doctor!) and then moved home and did the same job at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. In Maxfacs, I gained lots of experience in complex surgical dental extractions and got a lot of experience in A&E managing facial injuries (fractures and stitching up facial wounds). After experiencing so many night shifts and 12-13 hour day shifts though, I decided to go back to general dental practice, seeking a 9-5 lifestyle.
I enjoy all aspects of dentistry and so have continued on as a general dentist rather than choosing a field to specialise in. Wanting to be well rounded and the best I can be at my job, I have invested in and completed a few postgraduate courses in recent years, including a year-long Aesthetic Restorative Dental course and am just coming to the end of a year-long Endodontics (root canal treatment) course, for which I will hopefully be receiving diplomas in once completed. I have also signed up to a two-year dental implant course starting at the end of this year.
I’m certified in aesthetics too and so do treat patients with botulinum toxin (known as botox) and dermal fillers, as well as medical grade prescriptive skin care products. I really enjoy the range of treatments in a day and the variability with the patient cases I see.
It’s great you’re still so passionate about this career now, after making a commitment to pursue it 15 years ago!
Did you ever have an interest or desire to explore more creative realms when in training or after you started work as a dentist?
During my time at university and in training, I wasn’t really into crafting like I am now. My creative journey is something that’s developed more recently. Back then, I found relaxation in different activities, but all the usual things; reading, cooking, watching TV, and working out. These activities were my way of unwinding after a busy day of studying and clinical work, and, despite all the crafting, they still play an important role in my life now.
I don’t know how you fit it all in! But for readers who might be wanting to explore their creative side, especially to do something just for themselves, or as gifts for loved ones, without it becoming an income stream, do you have any tips or methods you can share, for how to uncover what could become a passion project, and carve out time to enjoy it?
Exploring your creative side can be really rewarding, especially when it's something you do purely for the joy of it. For me, working as a dentist is fulfilling, but I found myself drawn to crafting in my free time - once I got started for the wedding, the more I did, and the more I realised how much I loved it.
To uncover what could become your own passion project, I would start with a broad approach. Experiment with different mediums or activities and don't worry about being good at it right away. The goal is to find what brings you joy and a sense of calm. Once you've found that creative outlet, carving out time can be challenging, especially with a busy schedule. As mentioned, I mainly keep crafting for the weekend, though sometimes intentionally block out time mid-week.
I usually have an idea in mind of a specific thing I want to create, such as wedding invites, and then browse different types online, see something I like the look of, and decide to try making something similar. I don’t really have anyone I particularly follow on social media, but do regularly explore YouTube, Pinterest and Etsy for new ideas and to get inspiration from the creations of others. Some people do actually sell their project files on sites like Etsy for a few pounds, so you can re-create their projects yourself.
Thanks for sharing more about how you approach it, and good to highlight that the main focus should be on creating joy and a sense of calm.
You mentioned things like reading and watching TV are still part of your activity roster, so, to wrap up, do you have any Cultural Compass style recommendations for readers?
I've always been an avid reader, but these days I find myself leaning more toward audiobooks and podcasts, especially during commutes or when I'm busy around the house, like cooking dinner. I do still love the experience of diving into a physical book when I’m on holiday, but audiobooks and podcasts are perfect for fitting great content into a busy schedule.
Recently I’ve started a podcast called Empire which dives deep into the rise and fall of some of history’s most powerful empires. It’s hosted by the historian William Dalrymple and broadcaster Anita Anand. There are close to 200 episodes and I’m only on number 11 (going through in order, although it doesn’t need to be done this way). So far, so good, and I would really recommend it for anyone who wants to learn a bit more about different empires and their influence on culture, politics and society.
I love fiction books as well, and my go-to genre has to be a thriller. I’ve read or listened to almost all of Harlan Coben’s books and love the plot twists and suspense in his books. I’ve also recently been enjoying authors like Lisa Jewell, Karin Slaughter, and K.L. Slater.
Well, thank you for sharing all your creative pursuits, tips, and recommendations Tayla! It’s been a pleasure to learn more about everything you have going on, and I look forward to seeing what you make next … 🎨
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