Part 1: The Journey So Far (Age 35)

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At 35, I find myself at a pivotal moment in my life—a moment of reflection and anticipation, of looking back at the road I've traveled and forward to the path yet to be explored. This is the story of the first chapter of my life, a journey marked by relentless curiosity, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power of reinvention.

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I’ve always been an observer, soaking in the world around me, learning from every experience, every person, every challenge. My mother’s words, "You can do anything you put your mind to," have been the cornerstone of my philosophy. And so, from a young age, I set out to be not just good at what I did, but exceptional. Whether it was mastering a new hobby or navigating the complexities of the corporate world, I threw myself into every endeavor with passion and dedication.

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My professional journey began in an unlikely place—a temp agency in Bloomington, Indiana, where I landed my first job as a billing representative. It was a simple role, but one that would set the stage for everything that followed. Within 30 days, I was hired on permanently, and soon after, the company was thrust into a whirlwind of change due to an acquisition. I found myself caught in the middle of it all, navigating layoffs, restructuring, and shifting roles with a mix of tenacity and adaptability.

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As the company evolved, so did my career. I stepped into a loosely defined role as an Asset Launch Coordinator, where I discovered a talent for seeing the bigger picture, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing solutions that saved the company significant amounts of money. This role also gave me a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the corporate world, as I became one of the few non-executives privy to the details of the merger and acquisition process.

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My reputation grew, and with it, the opportunities. I was offered a position in real estate and facilities management, a role that allowed me to travel and manage projects across the Midwest and beyond. But as with all things in life, change was inevitable. Another major acquisition brought more challenges, and once again, I found myself in a role that was both undefined and demanding. I thrived on the challenge, setting up processes and leading teams through uncertain times.

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Yet, corporate life is rarely smooth sailing. Disagreements with management, shifting priorities, and the relentless pace of acquisitions eventually led to a turning point. I accepted a position as a project manager with a large pharmaceutical company, only to have the offer rescinded at the last moment because I didn’t have a college degree. It was a crushing blow, but I wasn’t ready to give up.

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Instead, I leaned on my network and reached out to contacts I had made in the telecom industry. As fate would have it, a project manager position had just opened up, and I was quickly hired. This time, I was ready to make my mark in the tech world.

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My entry into the telecom industry was met with almost immediate upheaval—yet another acquisition. But by then, I had learned how to navigate these changes with a calm resilience. I became known as the go-to project manager, trusted by customers and leadership alike. My ability to balance project management with technical expertise led me to pioneer new roles and set up systems that would outlast my time in the position.

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However, the pressures of corporate politics once again came to the forefront. I found myself entangled in a web of internal power struggles, forced to lie to board members about project statuses, and ultimately driven to take a leave of absence. When I returned, the environment had become untenable, and I made the difficult decision to walk away from the company.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of challenges, but it also gave me the opportunity to reassess my career. I moved back to Indiana to be closer to family and took a much-needed break from the corporate grind. After several months, I was ready to re-enter the workforce, and a former colleague reached out with a new opportunity.

 

I joined TPx as a Senior Project Manager, where I tackled challenging projects with a renewed sense of purpose. I pushed for excellence even in the face of limited resources, eventually transitioning into Product Operations. Here, I managed the product lifecycle, aligning strategic business objectives with the realities of product development and deployment.

 

But once again, corporate life proved unpredictable. A new management team undid much of the work I had accomplished, and I found myself at a crossroads. Rather than giving up, I saw this as an opportunity to focus on my education and future. Now, as I pursue a degree in Data Science, I’m excited about what the future holds. My journey has been one of constant reinvention, driven by a desire to learn, grow, and make a difference.

 

This is where I stand at age 35—on the cusp of something new and exciting, with the lessons of the past fueling my ambitions for the future. The next chapter of my story is yet to be written, and I look forward to sharing it as it unfolds over the next decade. One thing is certain: the road ahead will be as dynamic and challenging as the one behind, and I am ready for whatever comes my way.