In less than 3 years, I managed to leave my employer of 9 years, move to Virginia, attend business school, learn how to play beer pong, graduate from business school, switch careers (industry AND function), move to NJ, get engaged, plan a wedding, have a wedding, and launch (this week) a multi-million dollar IT/marketing/operations project that will revolutionize the way we market to and serve our customers. The obvious thing to do now? I’ve NO clue.
And anyone who knows me knows that is a foreign and uncomfortable place for me.
Me = project manager.
Me = planner.
Me = I always have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C (just call me Ms. Contingency)
And right now, today, I haven’t a clue.
In part because, quite frankly, I spent the majority of July 2010-April 2011 planning a wedding and starting a new career all at once (whose bright idea was THAT!?). I didn’t have—or make—bandwidth to think strategically about years 2-4 in my career.
In larger part, however, because I actually have a plethora of options for next steps. And options are a good thing. Options represent the breadth and depth of my career. Options represent the two-year business school investment. Most importantly, options represent the diversity of my God-given purpose and the paths by which said purpose can be achieved.
And so I find myself at a crossroads of sorts. Already. Only one year out of school. Premature?? Given the confluence of events—project completion, leadership program completion, pending org developments, marriage—not so much. Apropos, actually.
Some of the questions I’ve been asked recently to which I don’t have a solid answer:
Work
- Your project and rotation program are ending soon; where would you like to land full-time? Do you see yourself in Marketing? Operations? Finance? Other?
- Where do you want to be located? How mobile are you?
Personal
- What’s the plan?? Where are you and your husband going to live? Is he going to move?? (apparently the commuter marriage things is a concern for some people. Go figure.)
- Oooh, so when’s the first baby!?? (a.k.a: “Oooh, I have no idea how incredibly inappropriate it is to inquire about someone’s family plans so please please don’t bark on me, Jackie?”)
Other
- Do you still have entrepreneurial aspirations?
- If so, where do they fit in with everything else?
And that’s just a sample. I have more questions than I have answers at this point—a condition about which I’m not happy. But here’s what I do know so far:
- With respect to the hospitality/gaming industry, there’s one definite goal: GM. Beyond that, I’m relatively open how I get there. I’m genuinely interested in learning as much as possible so whatever allows me to do that and best positions me on the path to GM—while utilizing my strengths—works for me. The good news? I’m seen as “versatile enough within the company that I can do anything.” The bad news? I’m seen as “versatile enough within the company that I can do anything.” I’m sure you see where I’m going with that…
- With respect to location and mobility…that’s an interesting one. Pre-July 2010 (engagement), I was open to go wherever the company needed me and/or take whatever opportunity that would best position me to learn and grow (quickly). Post-April 2011, the world is different. Mobility conversations are much more complicated and involve two people—a nuance I think professional women shouldn’t underestimate when thinking about marriage, career, etc. I’m absolutely simplifying the issue for the sake of brevity but I’m going to stop here for now
- With respect to location and “settling down” (soooo not in my A.D.D. nature)…sigh, still TBD
- With respect to other personal questions mentioned above…if you know me, you know how incredibly private I am. BTW: my “silence” on a matter is even more prominent when I’m still ”trying to figure it out” or if it’s just not something I care to discuss. Ummmm, enough said (I hope).
- With respect to entrepreneurial aspirations, yes for sure. The who/what/when/where/why/how are all still TBD.
Suffice it to say there are a ton of questions and a pound of answers. Guess what I’ll be doing in all of my “free time” (not) for the next few weeks?
Higgenbottom says
How exciting! The Lord has taken you on such a ride! Congratulations on the marriage and new career! It’s exhilarating realizing we have no control and that the Lord has it all. It works out regardless because He wants to bless us more than we can imagine!
Jackie says
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your kind words. It’s always great to be encouraged, especially by people who share my faith. Be blessed!
MechaniGal says
Congratulations again Jackie – on the MBA, the big moves, the wedding… When you put it all together, it sounds like a very very busy three years 🙂 I am sure you’ll figure things out and you’ll be happy with how everything eventually turns out.
Jackie says
Thanks Sukanya!