She Strengthens

Embracing the Unconventional Path: Valuable Lessons from Untraditional Jobs

The Value of Every Experience

When I graduated from college, I didn’t land a traditional 9-to-5 job. Instead, I found myself working in a winery, juggling hospitality and social media responsibilities. It was an unconventional start, but it laid the foundation for my future success. Every job I’ve had since then has involved some aspect of social media, and I’ve come to realize that those early experiences made me a more well-rounded professional.

Making the Most of Any Job

You have the power to make any job as meaningful or meaningless as you want. A job you’re passionate about can be incredibly fulfilling, while one you hate can feel like a chore. I used to downplay my serving experience, thinking it wasn’t relevant to my career goals. But I learned that it was worth mentioning, as it helped me develop valuable skills like interacting with clients and working under pressure.

Pursuing Passions Outside of Work

Having a non-traditional schedule allowed me to pursue hobbies and volunteer work that brought me joy. I used to take on regular shifts at a local cancer resource center, which gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. While I can’t devote as much time to volunteering now, I’m grateful for the experience and the lessons it taught me.

Parental Concerns vs. Disappointment

When your career path isn’t clear-cut, parents may express concern about your professional goals. But this doesn’t mean they’re disappointed in you. In my case, those conversations were necessary and helpful, even if they made me worry that I was doing something wrong.

Creative Work Requires Balance

Writing all day for a job can make it challenging to work on creative projects outside of work. When I was working multiple jobs, including serving and pouring wine, I found it easier to write cover letters and work on my own projects in the evenings. It wasn’t always fun, but it was manageable.

Embracing Uncertainty

Not every opportunity has a clear end game, and that’s okay. Working multiple jobs without a clear future in sight taught me that every experience, no matter how small, can further my growth as a person and help me decide on my direction.

The Benefits of Staying Local

Staying in my college town after graduation saved me a significant amount of money. The lower cost of living allowed me to save more, even though I was making less than I would have in a bigger city.

Quality Over Quantity

Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re doing good work. I learned the importance of giving my full attention to each task, no matter how menial it may seem. Quality work is more valuable than being half-focused on something for double the amount of time.

Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations

I used to dream of announcing my “real” job on social media, but it didn’t matter in the end. The time I spent waiting for that moment could’ve been better spent on anything else.

Living Below My Means

When I was living on a tight budget, I learned how little I could live off of. This frugality taught me valuable lessons about saving and budgeting, which have stayed with me to this day.