Welcome back to How I Made It, Metro.co.uk’s weekly career journey series.
This week we’re chatting with Michelle Thompson, 42, from Staffordshire, who works as a master model builder for Lego.
Based in Birmingham, she creates new build designs in the store’s discovery centre.
As a child, Michelle loved playing with Lego, taking every opportunity to build anything she could imagine – but never did she think there would be a job out there that would pay her to keep building.
The role of a master model builder includes the building, repairing and maintaining of Lego structures, as well as mixing with all the visitors – young and old – and helping them build their own creations.
So far, she’s used nearly 3,000 bricks in her builds. She’s constructed The Wizard Of Oz’s Emerald City, a giant octopus, and a life-sized fireplace that lights up. Since she works in Birmingham – home to the world’s largest Primark store – she and her team built a replica, complete with 200 items of clothing.
Turns out, when your give your children Lego to play with, you could be setting them up for the future.
Did you always work in this industry?
Prior to working here, I worked in HR. I really enjoyed my job and never thought about switching careers.
I kept my favourite Lego mini figures around my computer screen, and from this people became aware that I liked Lego.
When a Lego costume character turned up in New Street Station advertising for the job of master builder, my colleagues told me about it.
I did illustration at university and have always been creative, but hadn’t played with Lego for a long time.
What attracted you to being a model builder?
I have always been creative and think Lego is a fantastic medium to work in.
The opportunity to inspire and help children to create was very appealing, as today’s children are tomorrow’s engineers and innovators.
How did this go from being a hobby to a career?
I managed to impress with my creations and was one of just eight people to go through to the interview stage.
It is very daunting when it’s such a unique role, especially when all master builders have their own way of working.
I think a passion for creativity, an ability to visualise – and not get discouraged when things don’t go to plan – are essential for Lego master builders.
What qualifications did you need?
Lego themselves like to see that you can show creativity, and I do have a degree in illustration.
An average day in the working life of Michelle Thompson
8am: Most mornings, Michelle will spend time cleaning Miniland – a model village – and fixing any broken models before the attraction opens.
9am: When they’re open she likes to be in her workshop, building or planning creations, so that people can see her creating and talk about all things Lego.
3pm: Michelle might have meetings, where she think about ideas for upcoming events.
4pm: She’ll order in any new parts needed.
How hard is it to get a job like this? These sorts of jobs must be few and far between?
The jobs don’t come up very often – over 7,000 people had applied for the role I eventually landed, so I am very lucky indeed to have this job.
What do you love most about your job?
Creating a wide variety of builds for people to see, and in some cases, build themselves.
What do you dislike the most?
Cleaning Miniland, as it can be tricky and very time consuming.
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