I want to give an update to folks on this board, mostly for people on the fence in finding something new, I hope this provides inspiration.
It’s been almost a year since I was involuntarily separated from the company. I remember how gutted I was at the time, I had a thought this would be the one and only company I work for. I was entirely too emotionally invested, not far off from the likes of an abusive relationship, as I would soon find out.
Well, my sh---y boss (and maybe his boss or their boss) in Clinton had a grudge with me, and I’m still not entirely sure why. He or they wanted to make an example out of me, I guess. I got the fateful news I was NSI’d middle of 2020. I’d be put on a PIP, which was certain to get me fired. I fought tooth and nail, “proved my worth,” and passed. Only a month later to be laid off. It was traumatic, lots of self doubt, and a general sense of being lost. But, I’m a tenacious individual and got focused. I took some time to do nothing but relax for a few weeks during garden leave and then started job searching and interviewing. Ended up landing a new job, starting the day after the end of my garden leave.
I had a clean sheet to work with. It was a daunting challenge, to be honest. Battling self doubt, now a manager of engineers, and an entirely new field. But I realized I had no baggage, no previous judgment. This was mine to lose. I seized the opportunity to take the bull by the horns and knock this out of the park. Of course, a huge help was this company actually valued my thoughts and entrusted me with making the right decision. I was legitimately empowered for the first time in my career. It was liberating.
Fast forward and I received a promotion within a year and just received my performance evaluation. I received the highest performance rating possible. It was validation, and it made me motivated to come here and make sure you all know that you can do this too. I thought EM would be the start and finish if my career. What I didn’t realize is how much of a lie they spewed for so many years, and how blind I was, normalizing that I was just average at best (according to the bu-----t ranking system).
For those on the fence, please do consider other options. There are so many great jobs out there, but you gotta put yourself out there, to be uncomfortable, and try something new. Odds are you’ll grow, and with any luck really enjoy the challenge, and enjoy the work you do. I wish you all the best and to a great year. Godspeed.