She Strengthens

Finding Direction in My Career

I still remember my first post-college job as a copyeditor in June 2008. Fresh out of college, I was desperate to stay financially afloat and avoid moving back home. With a shiny diploma in hand, I walked into that job without a clear idea of what to expect or any long-term career goals. My focus was solely on meeting my financial needs, and I didn’t think twice about the lack of growth opportunities in my department or company.

A Lack of Direction

Looking back, I realize how naive I was. I had spent my childhood working towards getting into college, and then college working towards getting a job. Once I had that job, I didn’t have any new goals beyond paying the bills and saving for retirement. That lack of direction cost me dearly when I got laid off, leaving me unsure of what kind of work I should transition to.

Taking Control of My Career

Fast forward to my thirties, and I’ve started making deliberate decisions to forge a purposeful career. When my current manager offered me the opportunity to swap my administrative tasks for either writing or logic design, I chose the latter. It was a calculated risk, but one that paid off with a title change and a boost in pay.

Learning and Growing

My new role didn’t come with a manual; instead, I received one-on-one instruction from my manager, patient explanations, and praise when I figured out tricky issues. It’s been humbling to spend hours tackling logic design problems, but incredibly validating when my work is recognized as brilliant. I’ve also expanded my network by working closely with people in other departments, which has opened up new opportunities.

Building a Safety Net

I’m not relying solely on my current employer to further my career. Last year, I started writing freelance articles, and I’ve set goals for myself in terms of earnings and pitches. Having a portfolio can only be a benefit should I decide to go after a promotion, search for a new job, or transition to a new industry.

Feeling Like a Real Adult

The most significant shift in my self-perception is feeling like a capital-A Adult. I used to worry about whether others saw me as a peer, but now I realize that being an adult means acknowledging my ignorance and taking steps to correct it. When I became the senior proofreader on site, I had to learn to say “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.” That sentence was liberating, giving me permission to take my time to investigate and discover the right answer.

A Decade of Growth

Looking back over the last decade, I’m struck by how much I’ve changed. I’ve gone from coasting along with whatever job pays the bills to actively broadening my marketable skills. I’ve transformed from constantly second-guessing my adulthood to being confident enough to say “I don’t know, but I will soon.” I hope the rest of my thirties will continue to improve me just as much as the first two years have.