For six years, I poured my soul into my work.  Caring for families, being their advocate, toeing the fine line between client spokesman & employee.   I loved my company, respected the men I worked for, & very rarely had a “bad day.”  Over the years, it has been hard to watch my clients pass away, families mourn.  What began as a way to serve the community turned into hating myself for the phone calls I made, as I watched the business I work for change cultures.  I pushed back, only to be shoved harder.  In short?  I became a kicked puppy, as my friend Suzanne so eloquently put it over lunch one day.

It became glaringly clear that there was no upward mobility in the company, that there were no promotions or raises in sight in our non-profit & that benefits were being pulled away at a slow but noticeable pace.  I felt stuck & uninspired.

I struggled horribly re-entering the work force after Harrison & blamed it on my desire to stay home.  Through two years & lots of soul-searching conversations, it became abundantly clear that I did not hate being a working mother – I was frustrated with my job & the person I was becoming in it.  & working with the generation I did, where the majority did not understand or support working mothers, being faced with the question every single day of “Why don’t you want to stay home with your baby?” broke my heart.  Every single day.

It was time to make a move. For over a year, I have been sending out resume after resume, skirting around the direct issue while trying to network & make contacts.  My friends have been incredible, giving me contact names & helping me get my foot in the door at some amazing companies.  Also, it ain’t no joke about this economy.  If you’re looking for a job, be prepared for it to become a second job.  Interview after interview, some asking for me to perform projects & presentations on four-hour third interviews where I spent weekends drawing grafts & then took vacation time to present in a business suit.  I spent weeks waiting & agonizing for answers over jobs I felt sure were “the one.”  It was exhausting & I had many nights of wondering if my entire life was already set in stone.

After six years, it is time for me to move on & grow my career.  So I’m moving into an entirely different industry, re-starting my career in an entirely different position.  I am 100% out of sales now, which makes my heart so happy.  I’m moving onto a company that contracts research endeavors, working for the vice president.  Opportunities are wide-open, the benefits are amazing, & my new boss knows about my blog & love for social media.  He thinks it is awesome.  (also?  I get to wear jeans on Fridays! wheee!)

In short?  I am one hell of a happy lady.

p.s. more to come on the house.  there’s just so much wrapped up in this one life-changing move!