The Next Step

The past month has been a stressful, chaotic whirlwind in regards to finding a full-time job. After my internship this summer, I wasn’t sure that I chose the right field and I was making myself sick about it. My summer was spent largely staring at a computer screen and entering data into excel sheets. I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life doing this.

I have always dreamed of making a difference in some way, and I felt like my work was completely irrelevant- affecting nobody. I worked so hard over the past 18 years to get a great education, so that in turn I could have a great career and a comfortable lifestyle. Come the end of August,  I just couldn’t see that happening with the position that I was in. Everyday I was miserable and regretting my decision to pursue engineering. I questioned whether it was too late to apply for medical school or dental school. I questioned whether I should have pursued teaching. I questioned everything.

Eventually I had to force myself to stop stressing out about it and I did what I always do when I feel lost… I made a list. I made a list of all of the things that I wanted in a future career, no matter how far-fetched they seemed, and I prayed that some clarity would come to me.

A few weeks later, still worrying about a job, I emailed a contact in my field. Within moments, he called me and said that he had the perfect opportunity for me and that I was the exact type of candidate they were looking for… The only catch was that the position was in New York City.

My first reaction was to say “no, absolutely not.”  My entire life has been spent in Massachusetts, almost my entire family is here, my friends are here, everything is here. Against my first instinct, I said that I would go to New York City for the day to meet with the team there and that I would honestly try to have an open mind about it.

Within a week, I found myself on a train to New York City. Only two days after that, I found myself signing the offer letter for my very first full-time job in Manhattan!

It’s hard to explain, but during the day that I spent visiting with the company in New York, I could see so much potential. It was by far the best career opportunity that I came across as somebody fresh out of college. It met 9/10 of the things that were on my “list” (which I never thought I would find)- atmosphere, growth potential, flexibility, field work, etc. I felt comfortable and welcome. Never once had moving to New York City been part of my plan, but I felt excited.

With this job, I will not be stuck behind a desk for 40 hours per week. I will be working with a small team, being challenged daily, and exploring New York City. Approximately half of my time will be spent out in the field, reviewing the buildings of the city and interacting with clients, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

I am so excited for all of the potential that this opportunity brings. I am so nervous to move to a new (huge) city all by myself. I am so sad that I will no longer be within 20 minutes of my family. I am so worried about how this will change my relationships. I am so happy that I will be closer to my dad and stepmom. I am so grateful for the support I’ve felt regarding this decision. I am just SO full of emotion.

The next few months will surely be crazy as I begin to prepare for this next stage in my life, but I’m ready for it. God works in mysterious ways and I know in my heart that this is what I’m meant to be doing right now. Regardless of how scary it seems, I worked hard for this and now it’s my turn to spread my wings. I would not be in this position if it weren’t for my family and friends who supported me over the years and I am so so thankful for them.

I’m sure there will be many posts over the next few months as I get ready for this move, so be sure to check in!

xo,

Jaclyn