I Got a Job!!!!! | Career Change at 56
You read that correctly, after being unemployed for six and a half months I finally got a JOB! I’ll be starting my new position as a 9th Grade English and Technical Writing Teacher on Monday, July 14th and I am beyond excited!
Now I know a lot of people are shocked at my decision to return to the workforce, especially after the last three work environments I’ve been a part of have consisted of being sexually harassed, gaslighted, and managed by a full blown narcissist. And I agree, it took a lot of meditation, revisiting my goals, strategic planning, mindset shifting, grounding work, and manifestation to get me to this point. BUT… I’m here and I am happy.
So how in the hell did I become a high school English and Technical Writing teacher?
I had to let go of who I used to be and embrace who I have become.
I realized that my original strategic plan from January wasn’t working, so I took some time to reflect on how I could still obtain the life that I want and how this new version will look.
I thought about my hobbies and past careers that brought me join (teaching college students and facilitating my writing courses are the only times in my career when I was/am truly happy).
Instead of overthinking anything and everything, I immediately began to put my new strategic plan into motion.
And then BAM…literally 2 weeks later, two schools contacted me to interview, and two week after those initial contacts, I was officially offered a position.
Take Care of Home, While Chasing Your Dreams
One of my main worries was, “What will people think of me?” I love speaking and I equally love doing research, but neither was paying my bills at the moment. The shift in the political landscape has impacted my career significantly. People are afraid to be associated with anyone they think is remotely related to DEI. Yes, I talk about work trauma and equality, which in the minds of many is a DEI topic. Unfortunately, I had to accept what is taking place in America and pivot how I provide for myself.
The other day I was listening to an interview with Charlemagne Tha God on Emma Grede’s podcast, Aspire where he shared this, “Take care of home, while chasing your dreams.” And I knew exactly what he meant. A) You can’t worry about what everyone else is thinking. You have to do what is best for you and your family. For me, that means ensuring that where I lay my head each night and the place where I decompress, and find clarity and peace of mind is taken care of - that the lights are on, the water is running, and there is food in the fridge BEFORE I help anyone else or attempt to continue to chase my dreams.
I am getting a job because at the end of the day likes and follows on social media do not pay my bills nor cover the medical expenses that come with being a Tye 2 Diabetic. This attack on DEI (and everything else) has impacted our economy, which has impacted my bottom line. In less than 5 months my book sales have significantly decreased, brands are not reaching out like they used to - especially to those of us who have been very vocal about inequality. Corporate sponsors are also not giving money to big conferences like they did 3-4 years ago, which has impacted their ability to be able to pay speakers like myself.
So do I sit around and pretend that everything is okay for social media, or do I pivot and pay these bills and medical expenses so I can stay alive. I opted for #2 and here we are - about to be a whole high school English teacher!
And you know what? I think this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, besides divorcing my second husband. No, seriously. I love teaching and I enjoy working with kids. I love to read, I’m a pretty good writer, and someone is going to pay me to do all of these things?! That’s a win for me.
But this wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t shift my mindset, stopped worrying about what other people would think, and gave myself grace. Like trust me, having a Ph.D. and having worked in leadership and been and entrepreneur - this wasn’t easy at all, but once I let go of who I used to be and embraced who I am becoming, everything literally fell into place.
Have you ever had to make a decision that you felt others might frown upon? Have you ever switched careers? What was that experience like for you? Comment down below.
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Congrats and you crack me up when you describe yourself as a "pretty good" writer - lol, you're much better than pretty good!
I did a pretty significant job change in my early 30s. I had already built some really amazing learning tech, sold my first learning tech business at 28 (which paid the down payment on the house I still live in today), and then went to work for Paul Allen and built the very first online school. Despite all that success, I got laid off by that company, and, like you, experienced sexual harassment, gaslighting and extreme sexism in the next couple of positions I had after that, despite still building innovative tech, winning awards and business for the company, publishing and presenting at industry conferences. The last straw was not only being denied a promotion I rightly deserved, but also being given a new incompetent manager who tried to put me on a PIP - that's when I career pivoted and spent the next three and a half years getting my second masters degree and building out my part-time gig as a fitness instructor into a full-time consultancy doing master training and athletic conditioning. Although I eventually went back to tech, I still have a calling to do fitness work, and may resurrect Fit Mind-Body Conditioning and focus on Fitness Over 55. My current learning tech consultancy is going well, but I do love helping people get into phenomenal physical condition, especially folks who have also struggled with mental and emotional health as well.
Congratulations Dr. Yazeed!