Transitions in Life and Career
I have been thinking about transitions lately. This is not just because we are going from summer to fall/autumn. This isn’t just because to am going from being more than full-time unpaid caregiver for 10 years to finding the next step. It is due to how many transitions we make in our life. Change happens. Fall, not just of leaves is also when migrations happen. It is when we make the push to bring harvests in from our local gardens.
Here are a few of the transitions I have been through:
- Moving from in-town to country
- Childhood to teenager
- Moving from US to China
- Moving from China back to the US
- Moving from my childhood town to country (and other moves)
- Single-hood to married life
- Divorce
- Becoming a caregiver
- Working on Dissertation/Doctorate (and finishing it)
- Education to Tech
- Death of my father and caregiving role ending
- Finding the role that is perfect for me after being a caregiver
I may have missed some of the transitions that I have gone through. But, the point is that change is inevitable. Change, like fall, allows for us to grow and evolve. (At least that is what I remind myself).
Going back to my doctorate, I struggled because I was not working so had difficulty landing a job. Then Covid happened. UX was hot then and promised lots of opportunities (which never really happened for me — but now realize it was not a good fit for me). Three years of job searching went by, with promises, updating of resume/cover letter/LinkedIn and many interviews and rejections. My dad passed away and I was tired…tired of being always on, tired of the daily grind of job searching. So I took about 6 months off to grieve (and that part is still happening for me). I went through the purpose equation so am clear about what needs to be in an opportunity.
I have been back at job searching for approximately 3 months. I have made updates to my resume/cover letter/LinkedIn. I am applying (but not spaghetti splattering). I am working on networking. Still I am getting rejections and no interviews, other than one phone screen. I am seen as “over-qualified” due to my degrees. Yet, I am under-qualified because I have no direct experience in the areas I am looking (despite having the skills and experience in other areas.
I have dreams….Big Dreams, of not having to depend on others for money to support me, of finding a love where I am respected, of having resources so that I can experience the things I have been dreaming about for so long. My dreams are not of working for a company, but of being in control of my life and finances in my own business. But that requires that I have some sort of income, which I do have. Here are a few of the areas I have been looking at:
- Senior Living Facilities (sales/marketing or activities) but no longer feel that it is a place I want to be. If I don’t feel like my family should be there, why would I work there?
- Community Engagement/Outreach — Love community but no direct experience
- Grant Writing — no direct experience but have research, writing, and education in my background
This morning I spoke with someone accessibility, due to my background as a caregiver and my interest in creating a safer place for all. So, am adding accessibility on that list…just not sure what aspect of it yet.
What transitions have you gone through? Add them in the comments.
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