Self employment can be an aspiration or a necessity or a combination of the two. Mike Walter kicks off this Careers, Courses & Conferences special by talking to three transport specialists about the perils and rewards of sole trading. Economic uncertainty and spending cutbacks have put security of employment in doubt for many transportation professionals, leading some to consider setting up in business themselves. Those looking for inspiration may want to follow the lead of CIHT Fellows Sheila Holden, Steve Rowsell and Tim Speed who have all made the leap and built small but successful consultancies. Junior Vice President Sheila Holden set up the STEP Consultancy in 2006, providing transport, environment and planning services to clients in both the public and private sectors. Sheila is based in East Sussex, but "has laptop, will travel", she says. "There is no substitute for meeting someone face to face, but with modern communications, it is possible to work effectively from home for much of the time," she adds.
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