When I turned 26, I started questioning if being a professor at the university was the career for me. I completed my Masters in Information Technology (IT) and have started to get bored with my routine. I was living at the bachelor’s quarters (BQ). It is a housing for single employees at the university. It was very remote. I had nothing else to do aside from watch TV or spend my days online. It got very boring and lonely for me. Also, I felt like being in a university with old technology was a death sentence for my IT career.
I was scared but I left my first job, a teaching career at Mindanao State University General Santos City.
Looking back, I would laugh at my 26 year old self because she was too scared to explore other opportunities. She felt old (OLD at 26 years old, hello???) and was very unsure of herself. She lacked confidence.
But, I’m also thankful to 26 year old me for taking a bold move. I took courage despite being afraid of all the uncertainties. If I didn’t leave the comforts of the university, I would still be incapable of making my dreams a reality. I would probably still be single, teaching the same IT subjects and still wondering about all the “what ifs”.
When I took the plunge, the universe just seemed to align… I got a job from Accenture. Within 2 years, I was given the opportunity to work here in the US. After a few months, I eventually met my husband!
This writing prompt is timely. Last week, during my 1:1 with my boss, she mentioned that leaving the project would benefit me. She told me that the best advice she received from her people lead (career counselor) was to leave the project. They recommended exploring other opportunities or projects as well.
I’ve been with my current project for 11 solid years! It almost feels like doing the same thing over and over again. I’m always busy. There’s always something to do but it didn’t feel like I am growing in my career. I am feeling the same feeling I felt 14 years ago. Anxious. Uncertain. But I think this will be a good move and will propel my career forward instead of being stagnant.
How about you, what’s the decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow?
Tech, Tot, & Trowel 
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