Access to my old work email account

most hackers gain access by phishing or social engineering...the only other way is for someone to hack the database on your email providers server..which is definitely possible, but I highly doubt you will someone capable enough that would even be remotely interested in this. Have you tried contacting the email provider? You probably have a better shot with that. If you do happen to find a "hacker" with a pay-grade above simple phishing and or social engineering techniques, I would also like to speak to him.