Last spring, I was in an anxious rut. My job was not fulfilling, and I started wondering if I was stuck with it because it was too late for me to change career paths. I was destined for a life of cold calls - Never mind that I was 22 years old. Did my job suck? Not really, and not compared to the crap jobs all my other friends had. Still, it was mundane. Then it happened. The judicial gods of the DC Municipal Court liberated me from the agony and summoned me to 2 glorious months of Grand Jury duty. The thing you learn about “jury” is that it gives you a lot of time to reflect, and that’s what I did. Maybe I could be one of those people that loved waking up - specifically - to work!
During my duty of exercising justice, I started floating my resume around town. I got responses faster than I expected (let's hope this holds true post-Election Day). After it was all said and done, I decided to take a gig in New Mexico through the elections. It was awesome, Everyone looked at me like I just told them I was going to the moon or something. I was high on endorphins for a solid 2 weeks, right up until I had to board the plane ::GULP:: ..."Does Albuquerque have a wide selection of weekend boozy brunch hot spots?"
I could write a book on my experiences since coming to New Mexico. I have grown leaps and bounds personally and professionally since arriving in August, but the point I'm driving at is that change is a catalyst for growth. I previously worked for an outstanding organization that I strongly support and admire. But if you aren't playing the right role within your business or organization - that allows for career advancement and professional growth - I encourage you to keep an eye open for something that does. Is it what you are doing or where you are working?
As Washingtonians or fresh transplants, we take pride in the places we call "work". It means so much more than a title at the end of the day. It's not enough to respect the mission statement of where you work, but more important that you respect the role you play in accomplishing a small feat from within that mission statement. It's the reason I stayed at my previous job, it was a respectful job and I was accomplishing important tasks. At some point though you need to step back, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, "Could someone else do this just as well as I could?" I looked around at all my coworkers and the honest answer was, "Yeah, they probably could."
I didn't move to DC to become another cog in the machine. And while it may take years for me to move past "resident cog," I want to spend my time growing and doing jobs that I can do better than everyone else. New Mexico has helped add a couple more layers to my skin. I've been roughed up and spit out. But guess what? Little Miss Shy South Carolina grew into her britches. And now when people come a'swingin' I don't budge, sulk, and get mad - I just stand my ground.
It's one thing to be steadfast on your personal convictions; it's another to find your voice professionally. Once removed from the confines and comfort of structured bureaucracy I found myself in the Wild West - out here I'm a "carpetbagger" to many, but to some my work made all the difference. All that matters is that I make a positive difference and I continue to achieve my goals. Election Day is 24 days away and the fight continues for me. I just hope that you are as fired up for your job as I am. Now I wake up every morning and can't wait to get to work.
No matter what this saying always holds true, "The adventure you're looking for is the one you get." Don't close yourself off to change. Sometimes the best opportunities come in the strangest packages. It's not too much to go after the career you've always wanted. You define your professional circumstances - not anyone or anything else. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Go forth and kick ass.
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