Everything DOES Happen for a Reason
1 Year later… As I look back at what I thought was one of the most soul crushing experiences of my life, losing my job of 16 years, I am finding that everything DOES happen for a reason. Losing my job was tough, financially and emotionally and threw me into a depressive tailspin. It was also unwarranted, but I will not dwell on that.
Notice I say my job and not my career. I realize now, that in the end I wasn’t fully fulfilled in my previous job, there were times I was damn proud of the work I did and the numerous accomplishments I had, but anybody could have done those things. Well, maybe not ANY body or ALL things. My point is, I was not used to my potential, although I pushed and pushed. I was not challenged by my work or my leadership and quite frankly in the end found going to work quite boring.
Fast forward a year and few days and I am happy to come to work every day. I now lead a great team who I do push and challenge to meet their potential. My leadership does not stifle my ideas and allows me to grow and learn and celebrate the team’s successes.
WHY am I telling you this? This was not my first rodeo of job loss, I lost a job I really did love years ago, and guess what? I survived, it was the perfect kick-start into a new path, one I probably would never have ventured into without being let go. However, this time around, the journey has been EVEN BETTER. It was the kick in the pants I needed to find a company and a leadership I work with, not for. I have a career again, and I am reaping the benefits of enjoying what I do. Is stressful? Yes. Is it challenging? Yes. Do I love it? YES!
And yes, I do believe that everything happens for a reason and as my father always used to say, “It is what it is.” So when you think you are faced with an insurmountable mountain in front of you, I hope you too will remember, “It is what it is,” and it is up to you to make it better!
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Rival at work.
I have a colleague who I work with collaboratively for his technical knowledge which is impressive. He has been with the company for over 12 years now, most of them in Europe. I am in Canada. He moved to Canada a year and a half ago after I had been hired as a manager in Canada. He does not report to me. He is to help me with technical knowledge only. He helps everyone with technical knowledge actually. He told me in a casual, friendly conversation he wants to be in management and moved to Canada to pursue a promotion. As he has become more comfortable in his role, he feels the need to undermine my efforts. He lies to me, he one ups me on our open TEAM board at work and scoops projects with my customers behind my back. He takes credit for my work too. He is popular because of his impressive technical knowledge and is extremely helpful to the team overall. He has kind of entrenched himself at the company as the technical expert. However, he is making my job miserable. He cannot travel outside Canada due to his visa restrictions so he feels the need to build his name and clientiele with my Canadian customers. The rest of the team are in USA and they rely on his expertise but he does not intrude on their customers and projects. He did tell me the other day he feels that my position is not needed since he does it and I should talk with upper management about my purpose. He wrote this to me in a TEAMS chat. I am at a loss as to handle him. Any advice?
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Looking for Clinical Data Analyst roles where I can grow and learn!
I was laid off in June 2023 and am looking for data analyst roles, preferably in the healthcare field. I have four years of experience as a business analyst on a healthcare product, and am looking to pivot into more back-end work with data. I have some training in SQL, Python, R, and Tableau from graduate school, although I did not use these skills at my last job, and am working on improving them through a bootcamp. Aside from the difficult job market, I have had trouble finding a company willing to take on somebody who is new to the field but absolutely willing to learn and grow.
FYI I am currently based in Northern Virginia but am open to relocating for the right job opportunity and benefits.
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How do you negotiate salary?
Hi everyone!
Would love to know your tips, input, and all the things! I've read a bunch of good advice on LinkedIn and whatnot... but I'd love to know what this community has to share! Also – how do you stay confident when talking about money? And more specifically - as a woman when a man is interviewing you. Thanks in advance ✨
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Contingent Working
I would never dare ask a recruiter this when discussing a job opportunity, but I have a dumb question.... When you are interviewing for a "contract" position through an agency.... are you truly locked into the timeframe they state? If you find a permanent job during that time, can you quit the contract job?
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Ready to take your career to the next level?
Watch this video about exploring career paths when your head says, “I don’t know." Acknowledgement of "not knowing" is the first step towards a successful career! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2FLDPg3uV0
Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers right now, as long as you know how to move yourself forward and increase your clarity slowly but surely. A little progress can go a long way!
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Growing my resume!
Do you consider courses/professional certificates on Coursera to be valuable and/or worth the time? I have degrees, but there are some certifications that I feel would bulk my resume if Coursera is respected.
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