Starting anything over again can be nerve wracking, anxiety ridden, stressful. Whether it be a surprise addition to the family, a new home in a new city, a new marriage, or a new career, there are so many what-ifs and unknowns. I know it all too well from personal experience. But I had a plan and a drive to succeed, and nothing was going to keep me from my goals. Here's a look into my journey and how you can start your career over.

When my entire world changed

Back in 2013, my entire world came crashing down. I lost my marriage, had to move back across the country with barely anything in my bank account with two young children, and start my entire life over. I had previously been a pastor. Everything from admin to finances and teaching Sunday School and preaching were what I knew. I thought that the only place I could thrive was in another church setting. But finding the positions after what I had been through was near impossible. No one wanted to hire me just because of my association with my ex-husband (who caused my world to end).

But I needed a job, and despite my father being so kind to open a room to me and my kids, I wasn't going to let myself be a burden on him for long at all. Within days, I started brainstorming the things I could do and how I could turn those skills into a new job.

Stop thinking about what you can't do and focus on what you can

I knew I could do basic finances and bookkeeping. I knew I was sufficiently bilingual to be part of and lead a Spanish-speaking congregation. I knew I could create processes and plans to make any situation better. At that time, a path in finance was what interested me the most and would probably be the most fruitful long-term. Plus, my ex-stepmom was an accountant who loved her job and encouraged my desires to enter the field.

So, with my current skillset, I searched for entry level positions related to AP, AR, and bookkeeping. Soon enough, I found myself with multiple interviews within a couple of weeks being back home. I considered myself blessed.

Be transparent

During the first interview for an AR Specialist position (which happened to be with the corporate controller), he asked why I left the ministry? Why did I leave something I loved so much, move across the country, and change paths?

I decided to be completely transparent and honest. I told him the TLDR version of what had happened the last 1.5 years. I told him why I needed to start over. And what did it do?

It made me human again. It gave my future employer a glimpse into the life I was currently struggling in and let them decide if they would be ok with me being quiet, sad, or needing to run to pick up my kids from school if they got sick. It also gave me the opportunity to see that this employer had empathy, compassion, and was somewhere I could work, a place that would provide financial stability and emotional support. And it made all the difference. I ended up in a great company with a great team and the best manager. 2 paychecks later and I had my own apartment with separate rooms for my kids.

Learning everything you can

During my first 6 months there, I didn't take advantage of the compassion though. I showed up to work every day, only leaving if I absolutely needed to. (Thankfully, I don't recall my kids getting sick enough to leave school during that time, but if they did, my coworkers understood.)

I learned their AR system, improved even the most insignificant processes, and was able to handle my job and the other AR specialist's job when she left a month after I arrived. With bandwidth to spare. In my downtime, I helped AP with their reconciliations. Then the inventory specialist with hers. Then the lead accountant. I was becoming well-versed in every part of their business. I was creating improvements in their excel tools, providing quicker solutions for the scrap yards.

And guess what happened. Within 6 months, I was given a promotion and a raise. It was only $8k, but for a woman that started over again, with two young girls? It was perfect.

No degree in Finance

Eventually, that company was bought by another and our entire former corporate office was laid off. I managed to get out before they let me go, but it left me wondering: now what? I didn't have a degree in finance and wasn't sure that my drive to succeed and learn on-the-job would be enough long-term. I had goals, and I was determined to reach them.

So I went back to college. I worked a full-time job, picked up my kids from a neighbor as soon as I got home. Made dinner, helped with homework, and got them to bed. And then my evening of studying started. Thankfully, online college has come a long way.

Ironically, though I achieved my educational goal of getting a bachelors degree in finance, I ended up in IT. But having the degree and the understanding of finance has helped me even now as I have worked with Finance teams to improve their systems, their processes, and their reporting.

Everything you learn today can serve you later in life.

Looking for opportunities to move up the ladder

I have never been the type of person to get to a position and stay there for years or forever. Even as a teenager, I was always looking to move up, to get a better job, to do more and be more. Long story short, I consistently improved my skill sets and learning everything I could wherever a went. It opened doors leading to where I am now. Within 10 years, I increased my salary 300%, work remote quite often, and have earned a place at the table.

I'm not done yet though! Hence the blog to help other parents succeed as well. 😉

Making connections and building bridges

Along the way, I kept a close connection with the people that meant the most to me. My first manager, my coworkers that became my friends, my later managers that helped me advance my position at work. I hold them all dear and reach out from time to time. Not because I want anything, but because I care about them and want to keep them close. And who knows, maybe one day one of us will have an opportunity available and a bridge ready to cross.

Where are you in your next chapter?

Are you at the end of a chapter, about to turn the page? Maybe in the middle of a cliffhanger, unsure of what will come tomorrow. Keep these things in mind as you continue on your journey.

• Remember all the things you CAN do
• Be honest with yourself and others
• Learn everything you can
• Always look for opportunities to grow
• Remember to keep good people close no matter where you go

Best wishes!