The Big Career Shift

I am a woman who loves to earn her career first before anything else.  For 12 years all I aimed was to secure my future and even almost putting my personal happiness aside.  However, things changed when my husband of 3 years that time finally went home for good November of 2014 (on my birthday!).  Things were running quite smoothly in the first few weeks we were together 24/7.  But little by little issues start to build up in the next months when the demand for time and travel for my job was reaching its peak. 

We struggled with the “us time” every couple should have.  Our relationship was in panic mode just like a driver making quick decision while approaching a road collision.  It was a waking up moment for me.  I must do something before everything gets ruined. 

To give you a background, I was a medical representative of one of the leading research-based pharmaceutical company in the world.  Now “leading” would equally mean having standards that create innovation amongst others.  My job required me to travel..not just travel but I mean travel a lot taking my time away from home.  Adding to my job definition is the number of reports and emails I need to do everyday which is inevitable even if I am working in my base too.  Yes, I loved my job.  Who wouldn’t?  I have a good pay, a free car, gas, technology in your hands, and other perks others would envy.  The best thing about it was that I was able to invest my income wisely to basic needs I planned to have before reaching 40.  So I will be forever grateful to my longest employer ever.

the last activity I attended with my former company

But going back, I am married now and that my other half will always be a part of my considerations which is more than implied.  He is a rising professional photographer whose skills can never be disregarded.  I have to give him his chance to shine too in his own hometown this time.  Besides it was already an agreement beforehand that we will both dedicate our talent to our growing photography business.

My counterparts Ella and Anna

Yes! My mind was already made up.  I have to quit the job and work out our future once again.  It wasn’t that easy though to spill the news.  It took me weeks to finally utter the words to my manager which was just in time when I was about to be transferred to a different division with an expanded area of responsibility.  That was a relief!  I am now resigning and starting a new chapter in life again.   Yes, this is it!

the last HR activity I attended

For months, we have been working on photography clients for various occasions.  At the same time, I was enjoying my hibernation mode once in a while away from the corporate world.  A little adjustment needed only since I am a stay at home junkie. I just don’t know why I can never get bored with that.

Speaking of stay at home, I was browsing the web for the good start up businesses this 2016 when I stumbled across an article on virtual assistants.  I furthered my research and landed to Knights of Online Marketers Gensan page in facebook.  I was able to ask a few questions on that page and fortunately  almost 2 months after I was already one of their students.  It gave us a 12-course training on the basic fundamentals every VA should know.

Today I am already building up my portfolio to show my clients, submitting my cv to possible employers and hopefully waiting for their rings or emails.  I can say that this is the setup that will match my current situation, just stay at home and earn at the same time. 

If you are the same woman as me, learn to love, enjoy and invest at the peak of your career.  You will never know when the turning point in your life comes.  It may be soon or even sooner. Just be prepared always and learn to accept the new role you are in.  And most of all what matters most is the sacrifice you are making for yourself but also for the person you love the most.