I am a firm believer in reaching for your dreams. But what happens when they don’t look like they are possible or are out of reach? Well, we suck it up and we push harder! 2020 sucked for everyone, and I am no exception. I was working but I wasn’t fulfilled career-wise. Looking around, I saw all my friends moving forward in their careers when James and I were making jokes that I didn’t have one yet. Where was the lie though? I knew that if I wanted to jump back into my field, I would have to start looking and pushing for change. So the job journey of 2020 began! I applied and got rejected more times than I can count. Turns out trying to change your job in the middle of a pandemic is pretty difficult when a bunch of overly qualified professionals are applying for the same positions.
To say I was discouraged was an understatement. I was constantly miserable. Miserable at work, miserable at home, miserable in the shower…especially in the shower. For some reason thatās always the place where I do my best crying. I got so discouraged that for a time I quietly resigned myself at accepting my fate. I was not meant to work in communications. Thatās it, Iām 25 and I peaked. Goodbye career. The pandemic was in full swing, I couldnāt see my friends, James was occupied with school and I felt more alone than ever. Winter was coming though, and I knew that my seasonal depression was going to have a field day if I didnāt pick myself and push on.
Something in me clicked and I knew that even though it meant more rejection emails, I had to keep applying. And I mean, I was applying to EVERYTHING including jobs I didnāt have the experience for. See, my hope was that somehow someone would see my resume and recommend another position for me. Well God works miracles because it freaking worked!! On a random Thursday night while I was sick with bronchitis, I got a call from a woman in California regarding a position I had applied for the previous day. Things were starting to look up! As our talk went on about the position though, it became clear that I wouldnāt be a good fit due to lack of management experience. Instead of thanking me for my time though, she asked if Iād be interested in applying for another position working for them as an account manager.
It took everything in me not to shout “YES! YES!” Working as an account manager would be the perfect way to jump back into marketing and eventually lead me to my goal of working in PR again! As we talked, we got to know each other and I learned that this was a family owned company based out of Ithaca with similar values to me. After 30 minutes, we scheduled a Zoom interview for the next day with the owners and 3 days later I was offered the job! Crazy to think how fast things can change.
Iāve been in this position for 3 weeks now and I canāt tell you how much of a difference enjoying your job can make in quality of life. I went from grumpy at home to my energetic and giggling self! Most importantly though, I had my drive back. I’m ready to hustle and get that bread!
So for those of you feeling like you’re stuck in a rut and don’t see a way out, keep pushing because there’s something awesome waiting for you on the other side! 2021 is going to be my year regardless of what the world throws at us! So who’s joining me? Who wants to take 2021 by the (for lack of a better term) balls?! Cuz I know I’m not doing a repeat of 2020 and you shouldn’t either.
A Field Guide to Marrying Young 