Career: Redefining Corporate Career Structures

A New Sense of Work

We're told to: "Do what you love, and the money will follow." I'm all for finding fulfillment in your career, but this puts a lot of pressure on finding the "dream job." Basically, we're saying that you shouldn't stop searching until you find a career that: 1. makes you incredibly happy, 2. pays you tons of money, and 3. gives you enough work-life balance so that you can actually enjoy all the money you're earning. It's no wonder there is so much stress in the workplace! What if, instead, we stopped allowing our careers to define our entire being?

In 2015 I left a corporate career in marketing and public relations to reevaluate my career path. It would have been so easy to fall back into the security of a public relations agency or marketing manager at the next hot startup, but I couldn't ignore the itch that I wanted something more. For years, I had taken the same role at various companies, only to be left bored and feeling like I had no control of my career growth. So I decided to do something that scared me and felt "outside my comfort zone." I launched my own skincare business with the famous doctors who created ProActiv and dived into direct sales with Rodan+Fields. Shortly after, through my networking, I found that I could make a decent living taking PR and Marketing consulting projects and I was quickly addicted to the thrill and satisfaction of working for myself.

Although I love my newfound flexibility and control, working as an entrepreneur is undoubtedly the hardest I've worked in all of my career. There is no course in college that teaches you how to be an entrepreneur, so this was certainly a scary leap. For me, it's been more of a "learn it as you go," approach. Thankfully, in San Francisco, there is no shortage of entrepreneurs and startups to glean advice. There are entire companies built on providing shared workspaces, community, and services for entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups. We Work and SHARED are two options in San Francisco and The Hivery, in Mill Valley caters specifically to females. You can read more about my review of The Hivery here.

 

Home-Based Businesses & Flexible Career Options

I recently came across The Mom Project, a digital talent marketplace and community that connects professionally accomplished women with world-class companies. Founder Allison Robinson, is changing the way women work and redefining career structures by providing women with real work opportunities that are in balance with their personal goals. I am not a mom, but I hope to have that title in the near future. A big reason why I started an at-home business was to give myself more flexibility and options, once we do start a family. 

 

Resources 

No matter where you live, if you're looking for flexible or remote career options, check out these resources:

 

Jessica FlickCareerComment