Well, I did something pretty bold. I used to be a Project Manager making $55,000 per year with benefits. The job was about half sales and half Project Management. It was a highly charged political environment--working for a Central Nonprofit Agency aligned with the Federal Government. The mission was to create jobs for people with severe disabilities. I did it well, and was highly successful.
A couple of problems, though. First, I did not really fit in. I am gay. I am out. This place is conservative. I got jacked around for that--even though I was outperforming everyone else. Second, it just was not what I really wanted. I discovered my mistake about two months into working for this place, but held on for nearly two and half years with the desire to make things work. When I hired in, the job was positioned as a pure project manager type job...but the reality was it involved a lot of selling to the Federal Government on a very specialized basis. The skills I gained at this place would be untransferable anywhere else, other than the perhaps the sales aspect. I was very unhappy, nontheless.
I decided, when a situation that "broke the camels back" to leave. Fast. I left with little notice, but did send a nice resignation letter and thanked them for the chance to work there and perform the mission. I was highly professional about that.
What has happened in the last three days? I managed to sublet my apartment via my landlord in under 16 hours. I live in a very desirable area, adjacent to Wrigley Field in Chicago. I posted items for sale on Craigslist (things I cannot fit into my car). I arranged to have a "soft landing" where I am going--Omaha, NE. I have a friend who has been trying to get me to get back out there for some time, and he is welcoming me with open arms. I can stay with him as long as necessary to get back on my feet as I do not have a guaranteed job out there. I intend to go into the nursing field. I will work nights and go to class days if I have to. I don't have a lot debt, and some money saved, so not all is horribly bleak.
I am frightened, elated, excited, and hopeful all at the same time. I am actively trying to keep myself from throwing up, though. I am out of Chicago and in Omaha on May 13th!
The family take--half think I am crazy and the other half say "go for it" and are highly supportive. All are concerned.
I am restarting my life--at the age of 35. I have a MIS Degree from Creighton University (in Omaha, so I am going back to where I went to school). My anxiety level is pretty high, but I am doing my best to stay ahead of the curve and intend to hit the ground running when I get out there.
I had to get this off my chest to a larger audience--give feedback, advice, whatever. I just need people to throw ideas at me. Have you gone through this type of thing?
Thanks in advance.
A couple of problems, though. First, I did not really fit in. I am gay. I am out. This place is conservative. I got jacked around for that--even though I was outperforming everyone else. Second, it just was not what I really wanted. I discovered my mistake about two months into working for this place, but held on for nearly two and half years with the desire to make things work. When I hired in, the job was positioned as a pure project manager type job...but the reality was it involved a lot of selling to the Federal Government on a very specialized basis. The skills I gained at this place would be untransferable anywhere else, other than the perhaps the sales aspect. I was very unhappy, nontheless.
I decided, when a situation that "broke the camels back" to leave. Fast. I left with little notice, but did send a nice resignation letter and thanked them for the chance to work there and perform the mission. I was highly professional about that.
What has happened in the last three days? I managed to sublet my apartment via my landlord in under 16 hours. I live in a very desirable area, adjacent to Wrigley Field in Chicago. I posted items for sale on Craigslist (things I cannot fit into my car). I arranged to have a "soft landing" where I am going--Omaha, NE. I have a friend who has been trying to get me to get back out there for some time, and he is welcoming me with open arms. I can stay with him as long as necessary to get back on my feet as I do not have a guaranteed job out there. I intend to go into the nursing field. I will work nights and go to class days if I have to. I don't have a lot debt, and some money saved, so not all is horribly bleak.
I am frightened, elated, excited, and hopeful all at the same time. I am actively trying to keep myself from throwing up, though. I am out of Chicago and in Omaha on May 13th!
The family take--half think I am crazy and the other half say "go for it" and are highly supportive. All are concerned.
I am restarting my life--at the age of 35. I have a MIS Degree from Creighton University (in Omaha, so I am going back to where I went to school). My anxiety level is pretty high, but I am doing my best to stay ahead of the curve and intend to hit the ground running when I get out there.
I had to get this off my chest to a larger audience--give feedback, advice, whatever. I just need people to throw ideas at me. Have you gone through this type of thing?
Thanks in advance.
