For some reason I always picture success as a picturesque snapshot from paradise. The reality is that success often looks like something from a tragic drama. Trying circumstances just might be the beginning of our greatest opportunities for success.
In the mid 1990’s , I was faced with just such a opportunity. I met a woman in the apartment management business. She was a competitor, all 50+ jaded years of her life, and after a brief conversation, I realized this was the “ghost of future career” for me, IF I didn’t change my career path. After about 6 months of muddling about, I came up with a decision and haven’t looked back since.
- Who am I? (How well do you know yourself?)
- What do you like to do?
- I like running things, putting chaos into order, tackling insurmountable challenges, and getting and keeping folks on point. I like working with people. Planning events, arranging travel, and doing it all over and over again.
- What do you do best?
- For me, taking care of people’s lives, careers, meetings and all things administrative. I’ve learned to distinguish between my profession and co-dependency…there is a difference. Keeping it healthy is my “motto”.
- What skills are you willing to further develop?
- There is always room for improvement, and I just want to be the best I can be. Accounting, bookkeeping, not so much. Industry knowledge? Certifications? Current skillset? Bring it ON!
- What are your least favorite abilities
- Let me explain: Due to my key abilities such as attention to detail, nearly compulsive level determination that all things balance out and demonstrated responsible ethics and behaviors; many folks recommended accounting and bookkeeping jobs. However, I know myself! When I get tired, I transpose numbers, and while I was good at keeping records, I get bored with lines and rows and columns…not a good fit for a lifetime career.
- Where’s the market for your abilities?
- Different location – different markets
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a middle market and when there are downturns, often middle market areas are where the “layoff axe” lands. I learned this after three layoffs in a three year span. Houston was the closest big city, and I headed west!
- Houston: As I began my job search, I was asked repeatedly, “In what area are you looking for administrative work?” I would say something like, “Downtown, Humble area or even, I will travel anywhere I just need a job”, and frankly was puzzled by the puzzled look on each and every recruiter’s face. I finally gathered the courage to ask, “What exactly do you mean?” What they really wanted to know? What is your administrative specialty: Oil &Gas, Medical, or Legal. I was astounded. I was NONE of those things…I was an administrative assistant.
- Regrouping
- The kind recruiter talked a bit further, and began red marking my resume’, which I promptly revamped, and at her guidance targeted the most lucrative field, Oil & Gas. She sent me on a “temporary contract” assignment to ExxonMobil, I worked hard and the rest is my career history.
- Stuck in a rut? Ask for a leg up!
- Speak Up (but be sure to go through the proper channels when possible)
- I hit the ground running, moved up quickly and after several promotions (and role changes), I landed a long assignment of three-five years. After the seventh year, I realized I was a running on burnout, feeling trapped, bored, frustrated and needed a change. I was the valuable asset that was easier to keep in place than move over to a new role. What was I to do. This asset needed an overhaul!
- I talked to my manager, I visited with HR, I talked with my manager again, and was pleasantly surprised by what he had to say, and his willingness to make changes to remedy some of the issues I faced. But I still needed a change!
- What I learned
- When I realized I was stuck…I went back to step one in this article. Yes, I had to rethink through my blueprint.
- I spoke up, asked for help.
- I took suggestions, incorporating what was applicable (use good sense). I made changes and compromises, all the while keeping my compass pointed to my true north.
- I joined Oil & Gas Admins International in June 2014. Best move ever!
- Working with industry peers allowed me to renew appreciation for my employer
- Networking helped me look at and manage the negative feelings of being “blocked in”
- Using newly acquired soft skills I turned “burnout” into “re-ignite” and turned the negative to a positive
- I walk into the “next chapter” with frustrations behind me and knowing I and my abilities are highly valued.
Our success is part of a journey; sometimes we hit gravel pits, washed out bridges, and fog that freezes us in place. When we keep in mind that the present situation is only a leg in the journey, and that the gauge of our success is the arrival at our final destination, we are compelled to focus on the positive, look for possibilities, and keep moving forward. Whether it’s a hop, skip, tiptoe or crawl; just keep moving forward. Don’t shy away from the tough times, use your networks, use your resources, use every opportunity. Each success in your career gives you the courage and faith to move to the next success.
Debra Womack-Bourghs
Executive Ambassador
Oil & Gas Admins International