Career Crossroads: Finding My Footing After Layoff

I got laid off at the end of July 2024. It has been stressful, especially in today's economy. I had been struggling with anxiety and depression, and this set me back. After the shock, I started polishing my resume and applying for jobs. However, I realized I lacked knowledge compared to my years of experience. I had a niche job when I started after graduating with my Master's degree. When I started my second job, it dealt with the same technologies I had used in my first job. This created a problem since I had no experience in technologies on demand versus 10 years of experience in a technology that had not been popular for 6 years. Looking back, I should have foreseen this problem and learned new skills, but I was comfortable with my job. It allowed for a lot of flexibility in my schedule since that was what I needed then.

After receiving multiple "thank you but no thank you" emails, I decided to look into a new career path. There are so many options in my field that narrowing down one that I liked and already had a good foundation for was challenging. After some research, I decided on data science. This is a growing field with many job posts, and it interests me. Interest is the key part of this career overhaul. Forcing yourself into liking something you will likely do 30-50 hours a week for the foreseeable future sounds incredibly frustrating. I have decided to invest in my new career choice with Coursera. I have used Coursera for many years and trust it. So, I am currently studying for a Data Science certification.

Now, the issue is that I struggle with depression and anxiety, so keeping the motivation has been problematic when I get overwhelmed by the immediate need for a paycheck other than unemployment. But after a couple of step-backs, I decided to make a jump forward instead of inching myself forward. The truth is, nothing will change until I do, and I will make the change myself. Establishing a routine became important as this allowed me to plan my day and get the most out of my studying while still accomplishing my daily tasks. Having a good mindset became my goal this year. Hopefully, this will allow me to complete my certification sooner than expected.

I will feel good about myself this year.

I will be healthier this year.

I will have a job this year.

I will become a better version of myself.

I will be present for my family.

I will stop complaining if I am not making any effort for the change I am complaining about.

I want this to help or motivate anyone who reads until the end.

Best of luck this year!