For the past two years I feel like I have been blundering through a rainforest with a blindfold on. I walk cautiously trying to find a cleaner path, but every direction I turn I am only more confused. Every now and then I get hit in the face with a branch, knocked down by heavy wind, rain, and debris. And my favorite thing of all is the random “bites' ' that catch me by surprise.
I think many of us have found this time challenging. I made the bold decision to not return to the world of elementary education. It has been a decision that has filled me with a sense of hope, excitement, and a lot of anxiety. I am a storyteller, so stay with me as I explain my reality.
I turned thirty four two weeks ago and I started to make an evaluation on my life. I do this every few months, but birthdays always send me into a deep space of reflection. Some parts of my life appear to be “on track”, but other areas are not aligned with what I need. Sometimes our current reality stops us from pursuing our passions. After all, forty is fast approaching and there is silent pressure to have “figured out.”
I have tried to talk myself out of this several times. Seriously, full blown mirror conversations….“I should just settle in. It’s been ten years. I have invested so much money and time into this career. I can’t just…walk away. Besides, aren’t I too old to be quitting my career, learning new skills, meeting new people, trying to new hobbies? I have a family to think about. Prices are rising and this career is stable. I can buy a home and live the dream”-But who’s “dream” would I even be living? Certainly not mine.
After months of diving in…I’d say that I am at the perfect age to make this transition into a new career. My thirties have been filled with a level of confidence and self-awareness that the twenty year old version of me would not even recognize! I love it here. While things are far from perfect, I know that I have the tools to make things happen, no matter what. The doubt will always linger, but it no longer keeps me in a state of paralysis. I am learning as I go and I want to share what I have learned so far…
1. Spend some time with yourself. I know this tough with children and…life. But you have to make this a daily priority. The change is going to require you to tap into parts of yourself that you may not be in touch with. Some days this feels exhausting. Find a self-care routine that helps you decompress.
2. During that alone time, discover one or two hobbies that you really enjoy. Hobbies help us discover our interest outside of the demands that life thrust upon us. A little more fun in the midst of the transition is not a bad thing. It will also help you seek out roles that align to things that you enjoy.
3. Be mindful of what you post! You do not need to post every interview, offer, or rejection on the internet. I have had six interviews, still waiting to see if I receive an offer. I do not post this information on LinkedIn. I have felt pressure to “share, share, share,” but I have to be authentic. Privacy is something I value.
4. Cast a wider net. This one is going to rub some people the wrong way, but it is my honest opinion. There are so many “transitioning teachers” applying for the same roles. Diversify your portfolio and play on your strengths. This should be done strategically, and it should be based on your skillset and interest.
5. ASK for HELP! Think about the people that you personally know who can assist you, career coaches, YouTube, Blogs, book and so much more.
6. Believe that you will add value to a company. Allow that to guide your conversation during an interview.
7. You will receive more “Thank you for applying,” emails than interviews. Keep applying. The company that feels that Like any healthy relationship, you never want to beg or chase.
8. Invest in your resume. This is an area that is extremely important. It will also boost your confidence when applying.
Give yourself grace and choose a path that multiplies your joy.