CAREER CHANGE
Why This Teacher Was Shocked by Her Corporate America Experience
Despite my manager’s lack of support, I’ve succeeded by embracing curiosity, adopting a healthy learner’s attitude, and not taking their disrespect personally
I have always enjoyed working. I entered the workforce as an instructor at a small university in East Amherst, NY, twenty-five years ago after graduating from grad school. The years have been plenty, and yet my work experience feels minute.
I became pregnant in the year 2000, and for the next 20 years, mother/wifehood and working became consistent competing forces. The time devoted to taking care of my family and home took precedence — I have no regrets. But I would be lying if I didn’t say, I always wanted a long successful career.
I have taught during the last 25 years in different settings, mostly part-time. I worked full-time at a university for seven consecutive years when my three sons were teenagers. That position granted me the flexibility I needed to build what felt like a career while running my busy household. And yet, those years still feel like I was a tennis ball in a match between my roles of wife, mother, and teacher.
