A chance for a new beginning

Today we are entering a phase of new growth and possibilities. The economic outlook for the near term is grim. Fears of job losses are rampant as unemployment approaches record levels and new companies announce layoffs each week. Rather than viewing the current economic and job outlook as negative, perhaps a layoff is actually a gift. Losing your job can give you the opportunity to re-evaluate what you really want in life and to pursue your passions. A job loss can give you limitless options to pursue that dream that you have set on the back burner for a future day. But life is precious. Life is short. Now is the perfect time to go back to school, to move to a new location, to spend more time with your family, or to explore a new career that inspires you to grow. So rather than fearing job loss, see it for what it is – a chance at a new beginning; a gateway to new, exciting opportunities.

I am about to embark on a new journey and do something that I have never done before – follow my heart. I am accepting a voluntary leave package from Best Buy to find a job that inspires me. I have always chosen the safe, practical path and am scared to embark into the unknown. I have no idea where my heart will lead me, but I believe that if I put my faith in God and stay open to the possibilities, I will find what I am looking for.

What I know for sure is that I am looking for a job that allows me to work with smart people, to think creatively, to perform a variety of activities, and to help others. I have an undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management, as well as experience from two large companies, General Mills and Best Buy. I hope to apply my education and experience to whatever opportunity may present itself. I tend to surprise myself and am confident that I can figure out how to succeed at any job that I am interested in.

As a child, I enjoyed creating stories and bringing them to life through my Barbie soap operas. So, as I travel through my journey to find my next job, I want to write about my experiences. This is the first step in my new adventure. I hope to be pleasantly surprised by what I will encounter over the next few months.