Today I am thankful that I have a job I enjoy and am reunited with my mentor.
I've been through a lot career-wise over the last several years; there have been some peaks but a whole lot of valleys. Going through all of those challenges makes me appreciate the fact that I've found a company and role where I belong. I changed jobs in July as I had the opportunity to work with my mentor again at a company that I respect. I actually wrote about my mentor during the 10 days of Thanksgiving last year in this post. In that post, I said the following:
"I'm not sure what my future holds career-wise but I'm hopeful that I
will find myself working with my mentor again as a team as, looking back
over the last 4 years, that is when I was most happy and content.
Whether or not that happens, I'm thankful that he's in my corner."
Luckily, I am working together with him as a team and it's been awesome. The reason I like working with him so much is that we have a great working relationship. We are honest with each other even when that requires giving constructive criticism. Best of all, we know that we always have each others' back. And - we have fun together at work.
Besides working with my mentor, I enjoy the rest of the people in the organization as well. My last job taught me that liking and respecting who you work for makes a huge difference in your level of job satisfaction. Of course it's not all sunshine and roses because no job is. But in general, I am very happy at work, feel challenged, and enjoy the work I do.
When I left my last position, which was a terrible fit, I felt a deep sense of shame. I felt like I should have been able to last there for more than 14 months. And when I shared the news about my new job with friends and family, I got a lot of comments about how often I change jobs, which made me feel even more shameful. Well, since leaving that job, the 2 other people on my team (we were a team of 3) have been let go due to an acquisition. So chances are that I, too, would have been let go. Since starting my new job I've felt more and more like it was the right decision to leave when I did, but finding out that the rest of the team has been let go has just confirmed that leaving was the right decision for me.
What are you thankful for today?
15 comments:
Reunited, and it feels so goooood.... Hahah. That song just popped into my head as soon as I read your first line! I am SO glad for you that you are working again with a person who you share a mutual respect with, as well as a team who is a bit more of a fit for you. Does this mean there is no more stinky food?!! The importance of working for/with people that you can talk frankly to and who you can bounce ideas off of even if you don't agree, is priceless. I won't say the people at work never annoy me, but I know that we can be honest with each other and then move on. And that means a lot to me.
I hate to piggyback, but I too am so thankful for a good team at work and a boss who I get along with and who appreciates my strengths and doesn't hate me for my faults (in fact, he helps me improve them)!
Amen to that! You have every reason to feel happy where you are and should have no regrets but learning about your coworkers at the last job being let go, has to give you a feeling of great joy! I would have hated to have you be in their shoes, so you are where you should be!
Sorry that some of your friends made hurtful comments. They weren't the ones who had to live with your job and the impact it had on your life, well-being (emotional, physical, etc.). You were. I'm proud of you for doing what you needed to and that you were able to be find a position that allows you to work with your mentor. It's not everyday that opportunity comes up! I can definitely see a difference, more of a peace within you, since you made the change in July. <3
You SO didn't deserve hurtful comments from friends. Everyone's situation is their own and in your case the straits were dire. I'm so very, very happy that you are able to be with a group that inspires and motivates you and appreciates you.
in tech, staying in one job for 2 years is a natural lifespan. almost nobody stays in one place longer than that. Don't sweat it, and enjoy where you are now!
I agree that colleagues and the integrity of the company can have a big impact on how enjoyable the job and workplace is. Years ago I had a really crappy student job that I still remember fondly because of the life-long friends I made there.
I think you were already confident in your choice to change jobs but your previous teams retrenchment just proves again that you made the right decision and I'm glad you've found a great work environment.
I'm so glad that you were able to have the chance to work with your mentor again and into a position that you are happy in! It makes a huge difference when you like your job and the people you work with
That's wonderful that you get to work with your mentor again, and that you love your job. I find it so sad when people hate their job and dread going to work; that's not a good way to spend a HUGE chunk of time. It's so important to be happy and content with one's work.
First, I think it's awful that people think they had the right to comment on your job change. They didn't work there, and they don't know what you were going through. And seriously, it's not like you're changing jobs every few months. Lasting 14 months at a company that wasn't the right fit for you is something to be proud of. As is making the decision to find a better place to work.
I'm so glad you've found a better work environment AND that you get to work with your mentor again. Something to be thankful for, indeed!
Company vibe is so important, with other people sitting around me I would probably hate my job. But with my amazing new coworkers, I'm okay with sitting in the same spot for hours each day. Sometimes people don't realize they're being hurtful. But if it happens repeatedly, its definitely important to say something!
I've noticed a huge difference in you since you started your new job! It definitely sounds like everything in your life has finally started falling right into place for you and you worked hard and had a lot of patience over the years so I can't think of anyone who deserves it more!! The people you work with makes such a huge difference! I've definitely noticed that as there have been some changes in my work team over the last year. I still have an amazing team that I'm thankful for, but the dynamic is much different than it was at this time last year.
I'm with you on the people you work with making a huge difference. I don't even think you change jobs that much lol... I mean, you obviously had to change jobs when you went back to MN, so that's pretty obvious. Before that you were mostly at your other job, other than that small blimp to a different company. I was always under the impression this was a normal amount for business jobs. Anyway, I'm so glad you found a job you really like and are happy there!
I'm thankful that I have a long distance mentor who used to work with me at the company that laid me off. he's been such a great cheerleader the last 5 months.
I'm so happy that you are seeing you made a great decision with leaving your last position!!
I'm so glad this new position is working out for you! I've been very happy with my change too. It was such a big jump to an area not in my area of schooling and I felt like leaving what my major/minor were in was quitting. But I am SOO MUCH HAPPIER. And I like what I do. And I am using my education on a personal level. And I like myself better.
I'm so glad that you found a place that's a good fit and that you've been reunited with your mentor. Life is too short to be miserable where you're working -- even if that means leaving before you "should."
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