I got promoted.
For the first time in my career, I did not have to leave a company in order to seek the growth or happiness I was looking for. For the first time in my career, I've received a promotion.
I'm not writing this post to gloat or relish in success, I write this post to reflect on growth I have had in my personal development when it comes to life, career, and happiness.
This time last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life.
Like so many, I've struggled with anxiety since I can remember. Early last summer while working from my own desk at home, I had a severe panic attack. I had been overwhelmed and stressed in a role that brought me no joy, and only severe stress and anxiety.
I took that experience to heart, and decided to make a change.
My career up to last summer had been within sales roles in some of the largest companies in the world. I sold brands like M&M's and Snickers, forecasted the entire American market for Nutella brands, and lastly before making the move to Page was an International Associate Business Development Manager for a Fortune 100 company at Unilever.
On paper these titles and brands looked like I had been seeing success, however I was not happy in most of these roles. I recognized that regardless of the title or compensation, happiness in role was what should measure success.
Upon this realization I met the team at Michael Page, and learned about careers in recruitment. More specifically, careers in Financial Services recruitment.
I started writing this blog because of my love for finance. Recognizing that passion has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my career to this point.
I followed my passions, interests, and skillsets. And it lead me to a meaningful, and successful career change.
If you know me, you know I like to talk. I'm also pretty good at building meaningful relationships with people. I've always felt that I establish common-ground with people I meet relatively easily, and a career in recruitment takes full advantage of that skillset. That's a big reason why I've found success.
In the past year, I've placed nearly a dozen people into new roles across the financial services industry. Many of these professionals are well-established into their careers and were looking for a next step. Some were making their first move from the employer they started out of school with.
The ability to make an impact on a person's life and help guide them forward in their career has been one of my favorite parts about this role. I know that the relationships I have formed with my candidates will go long into their career, and many will turn into future clients looking to hire talent of their own one day.
If your reading this blog because you have been supporting me along the way in my career journey, I want to say thank you. Your support means more than words can describe, and know that you have made a huge difference in my life and career.
If you are reading this blog and relate to the feelings I had earlier in my career, and feel lost in your own, then hear me out.
It will get better. But you need to make a change.
Life is too short to spend the majority of it working in a career that does not bring you joy.
Identify your passions and interests.
Utilize your skillset.
Make a change.
If I can do it, I know for damn sure you can too. Your career is a long-winding journey with many twists and turns along the way. Appreciate the progress you have made to get to the point you are at, and focus on the trail in front of you to get you to your desired destination.
Like my blog last year when I started at Michael Page, I'll leave you with a few lines from one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. Bruce's music has had a profound impact on my life, and his song "The Rising" has been a source of inspiration to me throughout both the good and bad times in my career.
"Can't see nothing in front of me
Can't see nothing coming up behind
Make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed...
Come on up for the rising,
Come on up, for the rising tonight."
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