It’s not the “groove” that you’re thinking about.
Let me explain.
Career-wise, the last 5 years of my life have been the most challenging years ever. I finished my graduate school studies during the Great Recession and attempted to land a job at government and not-for-profit organizations, which were badly affected by the economy’s downturn. I was left to work for minimum wage in jobs I’m ashamed to admit on a public platform.
For a long time, I was stagnant in my career. It was more than the economy that was affecting my career growth. Somewhere along my career path, I let my failures and other unfortunate circumstances eat away at my confidence. I didn’t get the job I wanted because I didn’t believe I could get it. I sabotaged my own progress through the negative things I was telling myself. Instead of seizing an opportunity, I would relieve all the bad memories of events that had occurred in recent years.
In July, three weeks shy of my 30th birthday, I packed up my car and drove 331 miles up I-85N to North Carolina to begin a new chapter in my life. I enrolled in a one year master’s program in clinical informatics at a prestigious university. Although I was anxious about trying something new, I knew that what lied ahead of me would be greater than what I left behind.
Eight months later, I’m still in NC and halfway finished with my second master’s degree. I couldn’t be more pleased with my progress. The classes have been tough, but I have done well. I’ve met some incredible health professionals that have inspired me! I’m back to planning, creating to-do lists, and scheduling informational interviews to learn all I can about my field. My confidence is slowly building back up and I am excited about the opportunities that await after my August graduation.
Sure, the bad memories attempt to seep back into my memory, but I ward them off. Although I am not always successful at such attempts, I am rest assured that my best and brightest days are still ahead of me. I couldn’t be happier.
PHOTO SOURCE: Presto
Scribbles & Tostitos 
Very Proud of you my dear. I am extremly confident that you have a bright future ahead! Keep on pushing forward!
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Aww, thank you! 🙂
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Congratulations sis proud of you. You don’t know how much of an inspiration you are to me at this very moment. I know where you are coming from and feel the same at this point in my life also. Continue to be the change you want to see.
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Sis, we got this! 🙂
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Oh, this is an oldie but a goodie. I’m feeling that lacklustre feeling now, like I’m drifting along and not really sure where I’m going. I feel like I kind of fell off the wagon goals-wise and don’t really know where to go from here. I’m in school, so I have some time to figure things out, but I’m also tired of being so insanely anal about everything. Like just give me a well-paying job that doesn’t have crazy hours. Maybe I don’t have to love it? Maybe liking it is ok? I’m curious about what made you go from I-don’t-know-what-I’m-doing to starting a second master’s degree. What helped you feel motivated again? How did you stop self-sabotaging (I do this and it’s terrible)?
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Hmmm, that’s a good question! The story deserves a post of its own. I was working as an admin assistant at a tech company and although it was a cool company, you can imagine how limited my opportunities were for growth. My boyfriend’s cousin got accepted to a master’s program, told me about it and said, “I think you should apply.” I basically told him, “No way. I’m not going back to school.” And that’s when he probably gave me the biggest blow to me ego ever.
He asks me what am I doing in that job. He reassured me that I am so much better. And that my current role was going nowhere. It hurt to hear him say that, but deep down I knew it was true. I had failed so many times and basically, I didn’t want to make another attempt. I gave up and told myself I was satisfied. I stopped taking his phone calls for awhile.
Meanwhile, back at work, I made a mistake and my manager went ballistic on me. I felt the situation was unfair, so the next morning, I told myself enough was enough; completed my application and wrote my essay.
The turning point was realizing that I need to hit the reset button and start all over. I tried applying to companies and fellowships and felt like nothing was working. Applying for a 2nd master’s degree was going to give me my 2nd chance.
Does that answer your question? I plan to write about this topic in greater detail soon.
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