When Career Plans Change
Published July 13th, 2008
I’m writing about something that’s been on my mind constantly for the last week–my career. I decided to write this post because I’m sure there are many women (and men) who are probably in a similar position right now, and have a lot to think about.
I graduated 5 years ago at the age of 25, and I felt like I got a head start on life being lucky enough to be a professional at such a young age. My five year plan was to spend a few years in practice, and then settle into a 9-5 public service job with benefits so that I could work hard, spend the time I want with my family and friends, and have gradually more time to do volunteer work for the few groups that are really important to me. I planned on spending the next 25 years of my career in the public service, retire young with a full pension, and still continue working several hours–but all as a volunteer. Well, I’m at the age where I’m supposed to move on, but the winds of change have been still for the last year or so–and things haven’t turned out quite the way I planned.
See, over a year-and-a-half-ago, I applied for my dream job in the public sector–to work on policy development, and hopefully become an international liaison for a certain sector of the public service. Everything had gone extremely well along the rigorous hiring process for this level of position, but slower than frozen molasses (slower even; if you can imagine…) I’ve been self-employed over this period to give myself some flexibility, to relish the time that I would have to myself, and to be my own boss. Well, three months have passed since my referees submitted the information that was requested of them, and still nothing has happened: There is a huge hold up with my potential future employer, and they will probably add me to their hired pool, but due to a cash crunch (or some other problem they aren’t allowed to discuss), may not get the funding to actually assign me a position anytime soon. In the meantime, of course, I’ve gotten a couple of offers from the private sector, for jobs I applied to as back-ups!
I know, I know, some of you may be thinking “What the hell is she complaining about–people want to hire her!” I guess the problem is that I feel like if I were to take one of these other positions (probably the one that’s a one-year maternity leave contract), I would be closing the door on my dream job, and all of the things that were supposed to go along with it. We were seriously thinking about starting to try to expand our family within the next year, and unfortunately, I think if I haven’t signed on to a permanent job, I’d be pretty stressed. Afterall, being a pregnant woman in the job market wouldn’t be my best bet–not to mention the lack of benefit security we’d planned on having.
So, I have an offer on the table that would build my career and my resume, with one of those companies that just doesn’t hire often (and formally get me out of the clinic leaving time for volunteer shelter work), or I could continue to be self-employed and wait indefinitely in a holding pattern for something that just may not be meant to be right now. I have to decide by tomorrow.
A few days ago, I made a confidential call to someone who works for this employer I’m waiting for (in a completely different city and division from where I’d be working), and this person thinks many existing employees are waiting as well. Doesn’t sound like there’s a clear end in sight to this wait.
So, do I take the relatively good contract position in front of me for another year of my life, or do I wait? I think the right thing to do is to close the door and move on, leaving space for new (and maybe existing) things to come into my life…but I can’t help but feel more than a little sad that my family and career plan are not going to be what I thought. In a way, I feel like I’m mourning a loss–of part of my dream.
I do feel sad, but I also feel thankful for everything I do have, and the choice that I have the freedom to make. I truly don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that it’s probably not healthy for me to hold on to what’s rapidly becoming a plan from my past. I accept that whatever happens, this is a part of my journey, and I’m surrounded by people and animals who love and support me–no matter what I do with my career. I’ve done everything I can do to prepare, and I just need to go with it. When one door closes, somewhere, another door opens…
Has anyone else been in a similar position?
Click here for the July 16th, 2008 follow-up post to this article.
Sara at On Simplicity on July 13, 2008
What a tough situation to be stuck in! I’m happy to hear that you know you’ll be okay no matter what happens–because as long as you’re willing to keep adapting and growing, you will be.
I’ve never been in this kind of situation, but I have put other dreams (that I heavily prepared for) on the backburner when new opportunities arrived. Even when those fizzled out after a few years, I didn’t regret the decision to try something new.
As long as you’ll be picking up new skills and taking on new challenges, I think you’ve got a good shot at long-term happiness either way you decide.
Amanda Milne on July 13, 2008
Hi Sara,
Thanks for your support, and for sharing! It’s good to hear that you don’t regret pursuing some of the opportunities that came your way.
You know, I really do know I’ll be okay with whatever happens with the job. I’m trying to just make sure I’m making decisions for all of the right reasons, and hope that everything else will fall into place.
Amanda
Funny about Money on July 14, 2008
Oh, my. How very difficult.
“I think the right thing to do is to close the door and move on, leaving space for new (and maybe existing) things to come into my life…”
My sense (for what it’s worth…what you paid for it) is that this instinct is probably right. A bird in hand is worth (etc.).
Let’s say you do accept the offer on the table and a couple months from now you get the dream offer. You know…there’s no law that says you have to stay in any given job. A job is a job, not a prison sentence. You certainly could leave if the opportunity you covet arises. Meanwhile, you’ll have a decent position, and as you observe, it will be good for your resume and good for you.
The job that’s offered, too, may help you develop a track record that will eventually get you into the kind of work you’d really like to do. Consider the door propped almost closed, not shut and locked.
Amanda Milne on July 14, 2008
Hey vh,
) Over the weekend, I managed to come to this realization all on my own: I was at first worried about being blacklisted by the industry if I were to bail on the contract part way through, but I realized this is a big enough company that they would get over it, and life would go on!
Thanks for your insight. You are very wise (although you do sound young
I’ll write a post next week with a follow-up to everything that’s happened.
Sincerely,
Amanda