Backlash I Faced While Making Tough Career Choices
In 8 years, I got 15 offer letters, and I worked in 10 jobs with different companies. I don’t regret anything, nor I ever will.
“You are not the victim of the world, but rather the master of your own destiny. It is your choices and decisions that determine your destiny.” ― Roy T. Bennett
I am rebellious by nature. What I mean by that is I make my own decisions even if that means failing at them. I take the whole responsibility into my hands and don’t look for reasons to blame others. And I won’t be dying as a victim certainly.
In 8 years, I got 15 offer letters, and I worked in 10 jobs with different companies. I don’t regret anything, nor I ever will.
In 2009, I got my first full-time job as a Process Assistant with one of the multinational companies in Noida, India. I worked for the UK based Company named Boots for almost two years. But to be honest, after completing my master’s in Marketing and Information Technology this is not what I was looking for at the age of 23. Somehow, I carried on with this job until the time came to call it quits and I joined another company as a Business Development Executive in 2011.
The two jobs were entirely different from one another. And my story doesn’t end here.
I picked up another job leaving my second job and this time I was working as an Internet Marketing Coach where I was teaching how to create SEO-based websites and also tips and tricks to write articles of 500 to 700 words. That profile suited me, but that business was winded up in nine months because my boss was moving out of India.
In 2013, I got another offer my way, and this revolved around the role of Digital Marketing Manager. I worked with them for two to four months until I cracked my luck as an Assistant Manager with another multinational Company and after one year I was asked to work as a Migrations Manager. In that role, I got the opportunity to travel to the US twice while crossing borders with seven different countries.
I would like to emphasize on one thing that I was never loved for going after these kinds of roles from my peers, friends, and at times family too. I had to face their taunts, aggressive and negative remarks, and rude behavior. But did it stop me?
The answer is no.
Let’s talk about the backlashes I faced and how I handled them with my wisdom.
First and foremost, to the backlash was about not working in the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) as it would ruin my career and life.
How did I handle it?
I handled it well. I joined the company because in 2009 there was a bad recession here in India and I wanted to earn and be financially independent. I got many Customer Survey Certificates with A+ ratings and also “Pat on the Back” awards. I was promoted from Process Assistant to Working Team Leader in six months. What else did I want more?
The second backlash was about being a girl why did I dare to work in the night shifts?
How did I resolve it?
I have never taken any job based on timings in my life. Work is work for me. It has always been, and it will always be. All I knew was how to give my best to the job I got after cracking several rounds of interviews and for that, I was ready to walk an extra mile which I certainly did. It got me recognition, enhanced my confidence, and blessed me with skills that I wouldn’t have acquired otherwise.
The third backlash revolved around how I was making less money than others being so smart and good at multitasking?
How did I take it?
Well for someone like me money doesn’t make much difference. I saved a lot in the professional career of eight years and did enjoy my life to the fullest. I got many opportunities from time to time to earn and grow in life. I have no regrets. I have seen people faking their resumes and salary slips to get a hike in the company. I am not from that breed. I will never do something just for the heck of it. I am very passionate and believe if we follow our passion money follows us. And I earned well more than enough which could have made me happier.
The fourth backlash was how would I manage my finances after leaving the full-time job?
How did I give it back to them?
The world is full of stupid and weak people. All my life I have met them in different spheres emphasizing more on the problems than solutions. I knew way better than them about the money factor when I left my job in 2017 due to personal and professional reasons. By the grace of God, I got freelancing projects and dared to face challenges with the right spirit and attitude in life. I got one project after another, and my journey has been so far good and intact.
Final Words
I am a woman, and I know the world is in no way an easier ride for men either. Whenever we will try to break the chain of monotonous routine and pursue something that sets our soul on fire, people would emerge out of nowhere to break our spirit.
But if you dare to endure everything that comes your way then trust me, your stars will shine brighter than others. I never knew I have had so many skills till the time I was a corporate slave. They were killing my creativity. So, I quit it.
I am not going back there, not today or ever. I want to pursue something for the rest of my life that keeps me alive and gives me one reason to feel thankful and graceful in my eyes.
“The hardest thing about the road not taken is that you never know where it might have led.” ― Lisa Wingate
Gurpreet Dhariwal is the author of Three books. Her books are available on Amazon, Flipkart, and BlueRose. Connect with Gurpreet at www.gurpreetdhariwal.com