From Career Path To Career Portfolio
It’s safe to say my career path has been anything but ordinary. If you would have told me two years ago that my licensed-clinical-social-worker-self would be working full-time at a tech startup (and loving it, too), I would probably have laughed in your face. Me? Tech? I would have told you that that world, that industry, doesn’t want me. I would have shrugged you off, let you know that a transition from the clinical world to the corporate world was nearly impossible. And, I probably would have told you that social work was what I went to school for, and that a startup wasn’t in the cards for me, professionally.
So then how did I end up here?
Yes, I’m a clinical social worker, with a background in alcohol and drug education, working full-time as a content developer at a leading corporate wellness startup; but I’m also a supervised visitation consultant for the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court; founder of Amanda Rose Coaching; aspiring real estate investor; loving friend, partner, sister, and daughter; coach; creator; innovator; lifelong learner; and so much more…
On paper, my background doesn’t quite make sense. It screams that I’m lost, confused, overwhelmed, or just plain figuring-it-out. The reality, however, is that I’m more certain of myself, my value, and my purpose at this point in my career than I’ve ever been before, and that is how I ended up here.
My purpose is to embody authenticity, courage, kindness, and faith in all areas of my life, and to inspire others to do the same.
I pursue this by coaching, teaching, and creating, through the lens of holistic well-being.
I practice this day-in and day-out by prioritizing taking care of my mind, body, and soul; speaking my truth; embracing uncertainty and imperfection; loving others well; and trusting the path I’m on, right now (which often looks like putting one foot in front of the other…baby steps, right?).
Someone once shared with me that discerning your purpose could be distilled down to this: moving closer to love, and further from fear. This simple, powerful truth has guided me every step of the way.
When I was a senior in college and completely unsure of what I wanted to do when I graduated, I moved toward love. I knew I loved connecting with people, and I wanted to learn how to do that professionally. I was afraid that being a social worker meant I’d be overworked and underpaid, but I put fear aside to pursue what felt true to me at that moment. Throughout my program, I grew in ways I didn’t know possible; I pushed myself outside my comfort zone; and I walked away feeling accomplished and ready to take on the “real world.”
When I graduated, however, everything changed. Looking back, it’s clear I let fear get to me. I felt the pressure of not having a job lined up right away, and I panicked. After all, the majority of my classmates had already locked down their next gig. I felt behind. Though I knew in my heart I didn’t want to do full-time clinical work, I said “yes” half-heartedly to the next job that came my way (as, you guessed it, a full-time clinical social worker).
Two weeks into my first full-time job I knew I had made a mistake. I hated every minute of it–the Sunday-scaries turned into the Monday-scaries, and the Tuesday-scaries, and the Wednesday-scaries, and so on and so forth. Though my mental health was deteriorating (fast, too) I told myself this was just “the name of the game.” I convinced myself I’d stick it out for two years, get my independent license, then move on to something bigger (and better).
I lasted two months.
Every bone in my body was telling me to get out. The call became loud; louder than the external voices shouting at me, telling me that leaving a job after two months would wreak havoc on my professional future (and make me a quitter…thanks, society). I had to answer it. I had to move toward love, and away from fear, and take another massive leap of faith. I put in my notice without an inkling of a plan for what I would do next; I simply trusted that I would figure it out.
A week later, I got a phone call.
It was my old boss, completely unaware I had already left my first job. She let me know that, unexpectedly, her right-hand-woman had resigned and she was looking for an Assistant Director for her office. She asked if I was still job searching and wanted to know if I would come on board and help…effective immediately. This job was everything I was looking for in a next step (including being only partly clinical) and more. I accepted on the spot and I started a week later.
It’s funny how life tends to show up for you when you’re walking in your truth, isn’t it?
Fast forward two years and while I absolutely loved my job doing alcohol and drug education and well-being work at a college, I was ready for something bigger…my next evolution, so to speak. When I advocated for a raise and was told it wasn’t an option, I knew it was time to dream big and leap…yet again.
When I started looking for my next gig, I realized I knew a lot more than I had two years prior about the things that lit me up. I loved working with people. I loved health and well-being. I loved coaching and teaching. I loved learning. I wanted to play big and I was looking for a role that would allow me to do so.
Three months and nearly twenty interviews later, I found a company whose mission I absolutely loved: a corporate wellness startup helping employees across the globe care for their total health and well-being. I reached out to a (random) employee on LinkedIn and we connected. She shared that while there weren’t any roles currently available, she was looking to contract with a “social wellness” expert with a clinical background. I signed on to lead two webinars for her with no expectation where it would lead. Closer to love, further from fear. I presented, and it went well, and I continued interviewing for other available positions.
Two months later a job at this wellness company became available. My contact reached out, and I applied. I was thrilled. This was going to be it!
After an initial interview with the CEO, my heart sank…while I loved the company, the compensation package was going to be a significant pay cut from my previous job. Instead of playing big, I’d have to play small to fit into this role. And so, I had no choice but to take yet another leap of faith. Closer to love, further from fear.
I emailed the CEO and shared my truth–I told him I believed in what he was doing, but the role wasn’t going to be a fit, as I was looking to make more money at this stage of my career. It was back to the drawing board as I began applying day-in and day-out for more aligned roles. I knew in my gut it was out there, and I trusted that my job (pun-intended) was to be patient in the process.
Then, magic happened. Two weeks later, he reached out to share that he was exploring the idea of creating a brand new role (leading a content development team) and wanted me to interview for it.
A week later, I landed the job…and the exact salary I was wishing for.
Playing big pays off.
I’ve been in my role, happily, for two years now, and I have no clue what my next step is. In my free time, I pursue the things that bring me joy. I’m connecting with people. I’m building a coaching business. I’m learning about real estate. I’m writing this blog post. I’m resting. I’m trusting deeply.
I don’t know where the journey will take me next, but I know it will always be exactly where I’m supposed to be in perfect, divine timing. My job, above all, is to pursue my purpose; to honor my truth; and to act in accordance with what I believe in and value.
Closer to love, further from fear. It’s never led me astray.