Recently, one of my community college students emailed me to inform me that he got into medical school. I was so thrilled that I asked him to send his white coat ceremony pictures. Yesterday, he emailed the pictures. Here’s why I am sharing that story.
In Navigating the PIVOT, I write about the “good enough for now” job. What’s that?
It’s the job you took because no other door was opening.
Becoming an adjunct biology Instructor at a community college was my “good enough for now job.”
Not because the job was “beneath” me. Please don’t misunderstand me. I loved that job.
But by the time I got it, I was tired from 18 months of job searching.
Nonetheless, it was good enough because:
a) It used my skills.
b) It helped pay the bills.
c) It took the pressure off feeling like a failure.
d) And it kept me from falling into learned helplessness and depression.
I only taught for three semesters before I finally made my way into the biotech industry.
Those were not wasted months.
Even if my former student hadn’t emailed me, I see that period as having helped me build rich experiences that fueled my next step.
On one hand, I hope you never need a “good enough for now” job.
On the other hand, if you ever do, I hope you remember that NO EXPERIENCE is ever wasted.