Where Do I Go From Here?

I’m being laid off from the only company I’ve worked for, Ive been with them for 8 long years. We’ll call them The Bank.

The Bank was my first formal interview. Highly 18 and driven to find a career.

I worked through a global pandemic at The Bank. I would work long hours, drive into office, wear a mask, and tell them I’m symptom free.

I turned 21 while working for The Bank. Coworkers who have since left but still remain on my mind were there. They celebrated me and sang me happy birthday, then sent me off to my first legal drink.

I met my Fiance at The Bank. He was shy, timid and closed off. I was not. An IM turned into a text message. A text message turned into a phone call. A phone call turned into a date. And a Date turned into forever.

I moved states and stayed with The Bank. I was ready to start fresh and do something new but wasn’t ready to let go of my job. An exception was made and I was able to do my job in a new state.

I became a manager a manager at The Bank. I learned that I love detailed, creative work, and hate coaching people. I also learned I was doing the job of 3 people and no job is worth your mental health.

I met my best friends at The Bank. My girls. I’ve always struggled with making friends, but as time went on our group started growing. We all have become so close. I was a bridesmaid for one of them.

As you can see, I grew up with The Bank.

You can imagine the shock I was in at 5:30 a.m. learning that the company who has raised me is being sold.

I am told today that I’m in a position that isnt going to be retained once we merge with the new company.

There’s so many thoughts and emotions about this. But I have come to decide that this time to shift my career. I worked so hard for so long just to prove my worth, and to who? And for what? Now I want to do something I enjoy. Something that excites me and is creative. Something I can grow with.

But what will that be…

Ill forever be thankful to The Bank for all the lessons it taught me.