The Good Part of “The Great Resignation”
As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, a new trend has emerged. Deemed by some as “The Great Resignation,” people are changing jobs in record numbers in search of more time, higher wages, more flexibility and general happiness. Out of this, I believe employers and employees alike are learning a new way to find purpose and passion in their work.
Relatively new at Gambel Communications, I’m not new in my career. Through my experience, there are a few of the questions I asked myself navigating my path in the last year.
My first job after college was with a minor league hockey team that included administrative and general duties. After taking on sales, communications and marketing responsibilities, I parlayed that experience to my next job with a minor league baseball team – the Montgomery Biscuits. (Yes, that is a real name!) I credit my time with the Biscuits for building my strong work ethic, and it is where I learned the most about marketing and communications. There was just one problem – it wasn’t in Louisiana. I made the decision to enter the nonprofit sector back home after a while and settled in for a rewarding career path with the local arm of a national organization, which lasted almost a decade. Then the pandemic hit, and like a lot of people working in nonprofits, I was eventually put on furlough.
After years in the nonprofit sector, I faced a choice: do I continue on my current path or do I make a change? Here’s what I asked myself:
Do I want a job or a career? We hear both words in everyday life, so what is the difference? A job is a simple transaction – labor for money. A career is a path that we set for ourselves, typically revolving around a passion, personal goal or even a company that you believe in. For me, it has always been about having a career. I look forward to growth and the opportunity to collaborate with mentors who I can look to for guidance.
What matters most in my career? Consider what you are looking for – a challenge, flexible hours, more money? All are great questions and important to consider. As I looked back on my years of work, I asked myself when was I the happiest? It wasn’t in the jobs where I made the most money; it was in the roles where I felt challenged. I wanted work that matched my need for fulfillment. My passion for storytelling led me to pursue a degree in public relations and to success in the development industry. I knew that while fundraising was a rewarding career, it wasn’t what I felt the most excited about. I enjoyed the challenge of looking at things from a wider angle and creating a strategy to make it to the finish line. My proudest work accomplishments were not securing the big funders, it was sharing the stories of those we served. So, I focused my attention on finding a place where I could bring the value of my experience and passion while challenging myself with new responsibilities.
What obstacles will I have to face while making the transition? When considering a change, ask yourself what is preventing you from doing so? Is it money? Make a financial plan for yourself to ensure you are able to meet your needs while you search. Are you worried your skills won’t transfer over? Make a list of your current skills and what skills you need in your new career. Not sure how? Look at relevant job descriptions and seek out education on skills you lack. The important takeaway here is to be prepared. My biggest obstacle was time. It had been several years between my last communications-based role so I knew that going into the change I would have to relate to my most recent experience with what I wanted to do.
Was I ready for rejection? Thoughtfully applying for jobs can be extremely time consuming – researching the company, crafting a customized cover letter, addressing it to the correct contact – but the anticipation of getting an interview is harder. If you are lucky enough to land an interview, not being offered the position hurts even more. Even with the number of jobs out there, the market was tough. I entered the job search during fall 2020 when there were more workers than there were jobs. This gave employers the leg up and the hunt for the right fit harder. I experienced this carousel of events a few times and rushing to send out the next cover letter felt counterproductive and disingenuous. So, I would take breaks between searches to get myself back into a positive mindset. The best way to move on is to realize that you only need to find one role and it needs to be a good fit for both parties. (I turned down a couple of jobs myself that didn’t go in the direction I wanted). Keeping this positive mindset is what led me to the right fit.
From start to finish my journey took eight months but looking back it feels much shorter. There were many times I wanted to give up and accept a job just for a paycheck. As easy as that option would be, I would have been doing myself (and my future employer) a disservice.
We spend one-third of our lives working. One-third. I knew that if I was going to dedicate the latter part of my life to a career that it was going to be in public relations. It isn’t easy and it’s constantly changing. From the shift of the news cycle to changes in social media, it is a challenge everyday. But for me, that’s what I wanted and what I needed. I get to share the amazing work our clients do by telling their story and creating successful strategies to help them achieve their goals. I also have a team of amazing colleagues that are always there to support me.
Wrapping up, if you’re considering a change, ask yourself the hard questions and find out what you truly want for yourself. If you’re an employer managing the churn of The Great Resignation, I would challenge you to recognize what is driving good employee candidates during the recruitment process.