With each career change I’ve come to realize that confidence is built quietly, step by step. The building blocks weren’t always ‘wins’ either, sometimes they were decisions that led to great learnings. The latter stands out more in my mind; the decision amidst the ambiguity and trusting that you’ll figure it out along the way. (I struggled with this!).
My professional life revolved around healthcare IT; improving patient access to care, giving the patient a voice, and securing the right data at the right time for health system planning. It was all I knew in my early career. Until I was forced out of my bubble through a reorganization that turned into Ontario Health. I was on maternity leave when the decision was made but didn’t get my official notice until December 23rd, 2019, when I opened the door and received an expected package from my employer. Having knowledge of its arrival made it easier to accept; but it still hit me like a tonne of bricks.
So, I took it day by day. Baby & toddler in tow, applying and interviewing for roles. Feeling defeated with each rejection. Fast forward March 2020, my youngest was in daycare only a few weeks when the world turned upside down. I won’t get into the nitty gritty of all the amazing moments I had with my kids, but I’m grateful for all of those hurdles.
It wasn’t too long before a former colleague introduced me to a hiring manger that onboarded me into the Consulting world. A new realm, years of industry experience ready for application! Was it intimidating? YES! Step by step, I walked into my new role and took a role with one of their more prominent clients. This step took me on a path so far of my regular course, but it created big shifts in my personal and professional development. I was a Die Hard Healthcare Implementations Lead, until I wasn’t.
A small fish in a new ocean, I had to set goals; to grow, learn and connect, a little bit each day. You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.
