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!
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.
I just have to say I’m so happy for you even though I don’t know you. I’m 57 and I always have a job/contract while building my business I have for years. It takes the pressure off of building my dream and allows me to pay my bills and take care of my two sons as a single mom. I have never allowed pride to keep me from doing what is best for my home. Im the one who has to ensure that the lights are kept on. I’m so proud of you for not allowing what others think of you to influence your decision or the impact you will make on the lives of your students. It will give you so much peace to be able to take care of your bills and allow you to approach your work with new energy and the abundant mindset that facilitates growth. We need to stop allowing the people who want to dismantle the beautiful work of diversity, equity, and inclusivity to rebrand it to something ugly. I think the challenge is to take it back and not allow it to be co-opted to something that it is not. These three beautiful words should never be maligned. I’m excited for you in all fronts as you work to do amazing work in two beautiful fronts. Congratulations again!!🥳👏🏾👏🏾
Congratulations Dr. Yazeed. You have a fanbase of so many women who admire your work, honesty and your spirit. I have a feeling we will be seeing you receive new awards and accolades as an Educator, and a new window to help other women, pivot, realign and be fulfilled. This is a whole WORD actually. Looking forward to hearing about Back to School!
I am beyond excited for you!! Congratulations Dr. Yazeed!! I love how you continue to speak your truth; as I always say you are such an inspiration, blessings to you!!
I so love this for you!! Congratulations!! May you continue to achieve great things and bless those students with your knowledge, expertise and lived experience. You're a living testament of what one can achieve once they are able to let go and take a leap of faith ✨️
I'm also pivoting from something that I thought I loved doing. God gave me the grace and mercy to do what I thought I wanted for several years. Don't get me wrong, I did love what I was doing but there were so many red flags that I missed God moving on.
I'm looking to be in the same sector but adjacent to what I was doing before but on a more effective level.
Yes, let go of who you used to be and embrace what you are becoming.
“…once I let go of who I used to be and embraced who I am becoming, everything literally fell into place.”
All of this!!!!!
Dr. Yazeed, I appreciate your authenticity so much. Years ago I left the world of public speaking because of all the lies, false fronts, and I needed to pay the bills.
I took a deep sigh of relief while reading this essay. It’s comforting because of where I am right now in my career.
Dealing with a toxic work environment is horrifying. Though you’ve gone through the challenges of not having outside work, it’s wonderful to know you found something that you enjoy doing.
So here I am, cheering you on, and excited to witness your journey.
I’ve switched a million times - it gets fun after while lol! I hope you’ll take me up on my offer - it would be my honor to support someone who’s given others so much! 💙
Congratulations Again, I’m glad you silenced the noise and focused on what really mattered to you. This is such a great role for you, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the second interview. You light up the room with your energy and smile every time you talk about education and writing!
I’ve had to make tough careers calls that others did not agree with. When I was rejected for the decisions I made I always kept in mind that this is my life at the end of the day. The life I have to live and no one else.
They mentioned my energy and how I wasn't judgmental with the students and encouraged them to participate. And you're right...at the end of the day it is our lives and we have to do what is best for us.
That’s awesome feedback, you definitely have a way with how you move that makes everyone feel seen without pressure! Even though this role is not on the same level as some of your previous roles it is vital to our community. You are modeling future leaders in that classroom, with your teaching, passion and gifts.
I know you mentioned getting your wardrobe together for this job on YouTube. Definitely show up and show out as your authentic self. It makes you feel good when you have a comfortable but yet professional outfit that reminds you, “I’m still that girl!” It also sets an example to the students because they definitely will be looking at you.
If I were you I would probably be so excited like a kindergarten the day before the first day of school lol. Outfit ironed, smiling and can’t get no sleep because your so exited 😎👌🏾
Dr. Cary Yazeed, CONGRATULATIONS on your new position! I am so happy for you! I am a 63-year old employee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Due to the upcoming Reductions-in-Force (RIF's) (job cuts), I decided to take the deferred resignation and am on paid administrative leave until 9/30/2025. Then, I will retire from the USDA. My income will drop by $1500 after retirement. I am forced to move from Gambrills, Maryland, 24 miles from Washington, DC, to Charlotte, NC to find a more affordable apartment. I have a disability (sciatica) but will look for another job in NC to make ends meet. I am excited and scared at the same time. I just had to take a leap of faith. If you have time, I would love to have a brief conversation with you by telephone just to chat. My E-mail address is cbwilliams2010@gmail.com. I will send my cell phone number to you by E-Mail. Again, Congratulations! Cheryl Williams
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!
I just have to say I’m so happy for you even though I don’t know you. I’m 57 and I always have a job/contract while building my business I have for years. It takes the pressure off of building my dream and allows me to pay my bills and take care of my two sons as a single mom. I have never allowed pride to keep me from doing what is best for my home. Im the one who has to ensure that the lights are kept on. I’m so proud of you for not allowing what others think of you to influence your decision or the impact you will make on the lives of your students. It will give you so much peace to be able to take care of your bills and allow you to approach your work with new energy and the abundant mindset that facilitates growth. We need to stop allowing the people who want to dismantle the beautiful work of diversity, equity, and inclusivity to rebrand it to something ugly. I think the challenge is to take it back and not allow it to be co-opted to something that it is not. These three beautiful words should never be maligned. I’m excited for you in all fronts as you work to do amazing work in two beautiful fronts. Congratulations again!!🥳👏🏾👏🏾
Congratulations Dr. Yazeed. You have a fanbase of so many women who admire your work, honesty and your spirit. I have a feeling we will be seeing you receive new awards and accolades as an Educator, and a new window to help other women, pivot, realign and be fulfilled. This is a whole WORD actually. Looking forward to hearing about Back to School!
I am beyond excited for you!! Congratulations Dr. Yazeed!! I love how you continue to speak your truth; as I always say you are such an inspiration, blessings to you!!
Your students and colleagues are going to be blessed to have you in their lives. Congratulations!
I so love this for you!! Congratulations!! May you continue to achieve great things and bless those students with your knowledge, expertise and lived experience. You're a living testament of what one can achieve once they are able to let go and take a leap of faith ✨️
I'm also pivoting from something that I thought I loved doing. God gave me the grace and mercy to do what I thought I wanted for several years. Don't get me wrong, I did love what I was doing but there were so many red flags that I missed God moving on.
I'm looking to be in the same sector but adjacent to what I was doing before but on a more effective level.
Yes, let go of who you used to be and embrace what you are becoming.
I love this for you!!!!
Awesome!
“…once I let go of who I used to be and embraced who I am becoming, everything literally fell into place.”
All of this!!!!!
Dr. Yazeed, I appreciate your authenticity so much. Years ago I left the world of public speaking because of all the lies, false fronts, and I needed to pay the bills.
I took a deep sigh of relief while reading this essay. It’s comforting because of where I am right now in my career.
Dealing with a toxic work environment is horrifying. Though you’ve gone through the challenges of not having outside work, it’s wonderful to know you found something that you enjoy doing.
So here I am, cheering you on, and excited to witness your journey.
Blessings!!!!
Yayyyyy!!!! CONGRATUALTIONS!!! I have ABSOLUTELY changed careers -
Corporate accounting to academic advisor
PhD student to Dropping out and going to Massage School
Diversity Business Partner to Health Coach -
You’ve got this!!
And you’ve given so much to others - I would love to walk alongside you as you navigate this leg of your transition journey-
Please message me if you’re interested.
(I’m piloting a give back program for women navigating career transitions)
Here’s my LinkedIn if you want to research me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natishawillis
Now that is an interesting switch!
I’ve switched a million times - it gets fun after while lol! I hope you’ll take me up on my offer - it would be my honor to support someone who’s given others so much! 💙
Congratulations! Do what you love and you’ll love what you do. What you love can be different things at different times in your life.
I 1000% agree Danna!
Congratulations! Thrilled for you, and for the students who will benefit from your passion, experience and knowledge. ✨📚☀️
Thank you so much. It's going to be a learning experience for all of us.
Congratulations!! I am happy for you!!
Thanks Tracia!
I love this for you. I'm smiling with you😊! The very best to you🙏🏾
Thanks!
Congratulations Again, I’m glad you silenced the noise and focused on what really mattered to you. This is such a great role for you, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the second interview. You light up the room with your energy and smile every time you talk about education and writing!
I’ve had to make tough careers calls that others did not agree with. When I was rejected for the decisions I made I always kept in mind that this is my life at the end of the day. The life I have to live and no one else.
They mentioned my energy and how I wasn't judgmental with the students and encouraged them to participate. And you're right...at the end of the day it is our lives and we have to do what is best for us.
That’s awesome feedback, you definitely have a way with how you move that makes everyone feel seen without pressure! Even though this role is not on the same level as some of your previous roles it is vital to our community. You are modeling future leaders in that classroom, with your teaching, passion and gifts.
I know you mentioned getting your wardrobe together for this job on YouTube. Definitely show up and show out as your authentic self. It makes you feel good when you have a comfortable but yet professional outfit that reminds you, “I’m still that girl!” It also sets an example to the students because they definitely will be looking at you.
If I were you I would probably be so excited like a kindergarten the day before the first day of school lol. Outfit ironed, smiling and can’t get no sleep because your so exited 😎👌🏾
All of my outfits (including the shoes) are laid out for this first week 😂
👌🏾Strut like your mean it, when you walk through the building everyday this week 😌❤️💃🏽
Dr. Cary Yazeed, CONGRATULATIONS on your new position! I am so happy for you! I am a 63-year old employee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Due to the upcoming Reductions-in-Force (RIF's) (job cuts), I decided to take the deferred resignation and am on paid administrative leave until 9/30/2025. Then, I will retire from the USDA. My income will drop by $1500 after retirement. I am forced to move from Gambrills, Maryland, 24 miles from Washington, DC, to Charlotte, NC to find a more affordable apartment. I have a disability (sciatica) but will look for another job in NC to make ends meet. I am excited and scared at the same time. I just had to take a leap of faith. If you have time, I would love to have a brief conversation with you by telephone just to chat. My E-mail address is cbwilliams2010@gmail.com. I will send my cell phone number to you by E-Mail. Again, Congratulations! Cheryl Williams
I'll definitely be on the look out for your email and congratulations on your career pivot. I think you're going to love Charlotte!