My Journey from Dead End Job to Success

[passit1]

Took a week to study for Accounting for Decision Makers and passed the objective assessment on 3/24 - another one down!

Now I'm tackling Financial Management - not sure if I can get this class passed in a week. This isn't the strongest topic for me and this week I start working nights for my next phase of Amazon training. Never worked nights before and developing a sleep/study plan that also lets me see my family sometimes has been challenging. Got something sketched out that may work but this is a lot of unknowns in one week to say I can definitely pass a Financial Management objective exam by next Sunday. Gonna swing for the fence and see how far it goes.

[passit1]

Rescheduled Financial Management exam for a week later to give myself 2 weeks to study. Amazon training is going well but I wish I could just know everything right away. This environment is exactly what I wanted and why I got my BSBA but now my insecurities have me worried about messing up this opportunity. I know I can make the right decisions and perform well but I hate the idea of the learning curve/making rookie mistake thing that will inevitably occur after training...I just wish I could download the info into my head and have it already.

TESU invited me to lunch with their new Foundation board members on Tuesday with some other alumni so I'm still working on the networking part of the plan even though I've made the career change I wanted. A plan is a plan and it couldn't hurt to make the acquaintance of business leaders who make up the Foundation board.

[passit1]

Looking back at my first post in this online diary...er, I mean....accountability thread, there were 3 actions to achieve my career goals and it's time for a status check. Here's what they were and where I am now with them:

1) get a bachelor's degree and research what other certifications would get me into the "maybe" pile instead of the "no dice" pile

-Bachelors degree was conferred from TESU Sept 2015. Applied for my dream operations job with Amazon and now work for them! I was unable to get an interview prior to my degree because Amazon require a bachelors for management positions. I am not stopping with the bachelors to ensure I can be a marketable entity in the future for promotion. My years of experience enabled me to come in to Amazon a tier higher than the new college graduates. A graduate degree will set me up for continued advancement.

-Started working on an online green belt certification last year but did not finish. My dads health declined and he passed so that took up my time (as it should). Also, the self study green belt did not give me the depth and breadth of understanding of lean operations that my in person white belt certification did. If I am going to become a green belt, I've decided to take an in person course.

-An MBA will get me further in my chosen field at this point than a green belt and I can always obtain the green belt certification later; I am now halfway through an accredited MBA program

2) expand my operations knowledge and experience outside of healthcare - although operations skills are transferable anywhere, having something else on the resume will help get me past the initial screen

-To gain different experience I took a position as a category manager for the last year. My year of category manager experience did not help me get the position with Amazon but it did market me to recruiters outside of operations. Problem was...I didn't like it. It was boring compared to operations and the office environment was not for me. It taught me what I do not care for, expanded my knowledge of logistics and allowed me to field phone calls from my mom during a difficult time, so it was not a waste. Just not something I could do for more than a year without my brain turning to oatmeal.

-Working for Amazon is providing operations experience outside of healthcare and is a solid addition to my resume.

3) get a network

-LinkedIn connections are over 200 now, a minor miracle for me. Asked the CEO and Director of Operations as my last place to give me LinkedIn recommendations and they agreed! But they aren't very active on LinkedIn and haven't put up their recommendations yet. I offered to write one for both of them and will do so by the end of this month to prompt them to do mine.

-Attended TESU alumni networking event and recorded a spot for TESU Youtube page. And I've been invited to do a lunch and meet with the new Foundation board members at TESU this month.

-Working to maintain connections from my previous companies.

-Joined a Lean group on LinkedIn and am actually somewhat active on it instead of simply lurking.

-Amazon provides plenty of opportunity for connecting with many different people. Need to develop those relationships and figure out who would make good go to folks for questions and development.

It looks like I've made progress but still have more to go. It's tempting to think "I'm done! Out of the dead end job and into Amazon, don't worry about this any more", but I'm not going to get stuck in the rut I was in before. Besides, I'm getting better at the networking thing and am not so self conscious about asking for others to recommend me or connect.

[dfrecore]

My husband is REALLY good at networking, and I swear it is a gift, as well as a highly valuable skill. Some people are just naturally good at it. But even if it doesn't come naturally, you can still teach yourself and work hard, and become good at it.

I love seeing your updates, and all of your success. It's inspiring!!

[passit1]

My husband is REALLY good at networking, and I swear it is a gift, as well as a highly valuable skill.

Wish your hubby could bottle that - I'd buy that potion!

[LaterBloomer]

Passit1,

You are truly an inspiration. Where do I start? Your ability to network, when it's out of your comfort zone is incredible. For those of us for whom it doesn't come naturally, your postings give us hope. Your flexibility is impressive. Does a green belt help me? Can I obtain it in the most beneficial manner for me? Nope? Okay, put that goal aside for now, and reassess. Your ability to reflect is heartening. I'm in a job that is not a good place for me. Do I complain and moan about it? No, I'm grateful that it allows me to be there for my mother. It helps me learn what I DON'T want to do. It adds to my resume.

Gosh. You are SO grown up. Keep up the good work, and keep posting.

As for the nervousness at work? It's understandable that someone as capable as you are uncomfortable not being the "go to" person. Use it. You are seeing this organization with new eyes. What can you do to help the organization that more experienced workers might overlook?

[passit1]

LaterBloomer- thank you, but don't be too impressed. All of that comes at the expense of the things I don't like to do....laundry is overflowing, floors aren't vaccuumed, sink is full of dishes. Good god, I hate housework and can't help putting my energy into coursework or girl scouts or watching inappropriate cartoons. ANYthing other than housework....not so grown up methinks.

On the other hand....I passed Financial Management tonight!!!!!!

[Mamasaphire]

LaterBloomer- thank you, but don't be too impressed. All of that comes at the expense of the things I don't like to do....laundry is overflowing, floors aren't vaccuumed, sink is full of dishes. Good god, I hate housework and can't help putting my energy into coursework or girl scouts or watching inappropriate cartoons. ANYthing other than housework....not so grown up methinks.

On the other hand....I passed Financial Management tonight!!!!!!

TOTALLY understand the sacrifices of school as an adult. Like my kids say "we all make choices"

[alleycat]

So Dina, you are actually half way done the MBA in a little over 1 month! Rock star!!!

[Hunter91]

I thought being able to complete my masters in a year was fast, now it feels slow LOL! Good job!