Leaving the Food Industry
After high school, I attended community college to study liberal arts. During that time, I worked two jobs - one at Dunkin Donuts and the other as a server at Outback. This allowed me to pay my bills, save money, and have the flexibility to attend classes. I maintained this routine while earning my degree and for a few years afterward. Although I enjoyed some partying, I also prioritized self-care and finding a balance between enjoying my youth and being responsible with my finances. I avoided accumulating debt and managed to save a good amount of money, which helped me purchase my first house as mentioned in a previous blog post. I continued working at Dunkin and Outback for about a year after buying my first house.
After over five years of working long hours at the two jobs, I eventually decided that I needed a more professional job. I wanted to transition to an office job to progress beyond the food industry. Despite some uncertainty, I was determined to aim for better opportunities and break free from the cycle I saw in previous generations. I realized it was time to step out of my comfort zone and take control of my future. I knew I might face short-term struggles, including taking a pay cut, but I believed the long-term rewards would outweigh the temporary challenges.
After creating my resume, I applied to every office job within a 10-20-mile radius. Despite my limited experience outside the food industry, I had exceptional customer service skills from nearly a decade of working with the public. I was thrilled when a small company that sold safety equipment hired me for an admin position. Learning the ropes was easier than I expected, and within the first six months, I mastered accounts payable and receivable. I familiarized myself with all positions in the office and could cover for others when needed. However, after about a year, I realized that there wasn't much opportunity for growth or innovation at the company. With a year of experience under my belt, I updated my resume and started searching for a new job on Indeed.
I landed a job at a trucking company in the billing department. The office was just a few miles from my house and the pay was better than my previous job, score! I quickly adapted to the new role and felt comfortable, although I wouldn't say I was exactly happy. I kept working at this job throughout my breakup, which is why I think I stayed for so long. I had so much going on in my personal life, that I put my professional life on the back burner. I lost my drive temporarily and was more focused on surviving rather than thriving. After about two years, I was sick of the office drama, culture and crappy pay, it was starting to take a toll on me. One day, I decided to walk out and never look back. At that time, I didn't even have another job lined up, but I knew deep down that I had the drive to make it work. I realized I needed a significant change, and I was determined to confront it head-on. After leaving the trucking company, it felt like everything was falling into place. I was able to secure another job in under a month. Once again, I proved my motto right - everything surely does happen for a reason.
Looking back, I am so proud of my 22 year old self. I wonder where I would be if I didn’t take the risk and start something new. If I didn’t step outside of my comfort zone. If I continued to do what I knew and what the generations before me did. My 22 year old self set up a mentality in me that I still live by. Never settle, you are strong , you are proud and you can do anything you set your mind to.
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