As this year comes to an end, and the holidays are in full effect, I can’t help but take a look back at 2018. The year started off rocky, with yet again starting the year without a job to go to due to being laid off. It hasn’t been the first time I had been laid off as a working woman, but it sucks every time. The good thing about being laid off is that I know it wasn’t because of my work performance. Usually, it was due to budget cuts or there was just no more need for my work. Which ironically meant that my work had been done.
Although I have had some setbacks when it came to working and my career, I never gave up on going forth for what I really wanted. I’ve taken risks, gone out for work that would give me experience, even if it was for a short amount a time. But I always made sure I would leave my mark and with a good taste of my name.
Jobless for almost three months, endless applications filled out and submitted, nothing was biting. I wasn’t only applying in my general area but was looking at other California cities and even other states. I posted something on Facebook asking my friends and family if there were any openings. At that point, I just wanted to work and would take anything that would pay me more than minimum wage. I knew that it wasn’t my career of choice once I did come upon something, but at least I could still look for work while being able to pay all my bills on time. Then, my friend, who had recently moved to Seattle, told me that there was an opening in her office for a bilingual receptionist. After thinking about it I was like, well sure, what do I have to lose? There is nothing for me here.
After waiting a few weeks, I got the call from who would become my future boss. She liked what I had to say and took into consideration that I was more than what the “role” was set out to be. She offered me the job, and with a little bit of negotiation on pay, I accepted and started making things happen for my move to Seattle.
A brand new adventure, as some of you, have read and or watched on my Youtube channel, but I made it two states north. Although I was technically the “receptionist”, my boss recognizing my skills, had me manage certain marketing ads and strategize certain parts of the recruitment business. I was even lucky enough to join the team in Puerto Rico for an event. I helped with other admin and office duties and was trusted to lay out a marketing plan for social media.
Once the season started to slow down and there was less work for me to do, I started getting that longing feeling again. I loved that my boss used my skills during the busy season, but I was still hungry to find that stepping stone to continue on the path of my career in advertising. I started to apply to different openings almost every day. Some bit, some didn’t, but I was not going to give up. I was then contacted about an opportunity opening up for one of the major tech companies in Seattle. I accepted to speak to the representatives and after three interviews, I accepted the new position!
I’m not going to give away where that is, but I will say that I start my new career journey in January. I am grateful to my friend who told me about the opening in Seattle, which caused this leap of faith. I am also very grateful for my current position and having them recognize my skills. But now, it is time to move on to something I am very glad to say will be a MAJOR stepping stone for my career. Those that are close to me know where I will be heading come 2019. These same individuals know how much I've struggled and stayed committed to finding the right paths towards my ultimate career goal. I want to say, Thank You. Thank you for staying by my side and being that support that I needed. Time and patience will show you that things will happen when the time is right. Sometimes it takes risks and a leap of faith in yourself to know that you will get there. Never give up on your dreams, because if that fire is still burning, your ambition and opportunity will follow.