In education, there never feels like there is enough time, and there is a constant race against time. Educators have to move, move, move, being quick on their feet and ready to get the job done! There is a never ending list of tasks to complete including, but not limited to: grading papers, writing lesson plans, creating digital material, calling parents, disaggregating data, completing report cards, building differentiated reading and math groups, sending messages to students, creating a to list! And everything is immediate. In 30 years, I don’t think I ever had anything done with extra time to spare. Sometimes lesson plans were created the hour before having to deliver them! (Shhh, don’t tell any of my former administrators!!). Emails and phone calls have to be made immediately, if not sooner. Everything feels critical, demanding immediate action. Often, (way too often) I spent my own free time working, because the job was never done.
As I begin this transition from the world of education to the corporate world, I am finding that the rest of the world isn’t moving at the same pace. In fact, at times, it seems that this other world moves at a snail’s pace! I have to be honest, it drives my crazy, but I’m also learning quite a bit about patience! Not only do I not seem to have as much as I thought, but without it, you’ll drive yourself to distraction!
So, here are a few lessons I’ve learned.
When applying for positions, be patient! I’ve put in quite a few job resumes and applications in the past six or so months. Some companies send an immediate, and very general acknowledgement of receipt. And then the wait begins. While a few companies shared decisions to either decline your application or initiate the interview process within days, most seem to wait until the planets and stars align. I’ve had few companies reach out weeks or months after I submitted my application! I tried to reach out so several of these companies, and for a few, submitted more than one resume (slightly altered each time), but it didn’t seem to have much effect. I did try to reach out to different people in companies that I was the most interested in, and that paid off in the end!
When working through the interview process, be patient! Each company seems to work at their own pace during the interview process. A couple of companies I’ve connected with work through the process quickly and kept me updated as to their actions. For most, I was informed of the next step, even it that was a decision not to hire. However, some have taken much longer between steps, going a week or so between communications. At these times, I’ve learned to take a chance to reach out and make another polite statement of interest. (Not that it always works! I went through three interviews with one company, and was told that they would be scheduling a fourth one. After days of silence, I reached out to them, but they never responded. Oh well, obviously it wasn’t meant to be!)
Once hired, be patient! I’ve accepted contract work with three different edtech companies. Company A is not real strong in communication skills. Emails often goes days or weeks without being acknowledged. The onboarding process isn’t well defined and I’ve been left on my own. The company has many different products, and thus different departments focus on training for their product focus. I work with three different departments, and only 1 of the 3 has offered any support. The other two are pretty silent, which is so disappointing because I was most excited about working with those teams! (I’ve wanted to work with one of them for years now!) I have found that I have little control and just have to be patient. It will either pan out or it won’t. Company B touches base constantly. I know each step of the process, and the support is incredible. This company isn’t one that I was very familiar with, but the people I interviewed with me impressed me greatly. From day one, this company has made me feel important and part of the team! Company C is the in-between type. While the communication isn’t daily, and there are gaps in the process, I have found them willing to work with me. I just started working with this company a month ago, and have already had several live meetings to help me along the path.
Above all, be patient with yourself. As I work through this process, I’m learning a lot. I’m really enjoying my work with Companies B and C. I think company A has potential, especially with the 1 department. And if the other 2 don’t work out, maybe it wasn’t meant to be. However, I’m not writing them off; I’m just practicing patience.
Much of what I’m doing is so foreign to me. I have my own company now, and I’m an independent contractor. This is frightening because I don’t know anything about this! However, I’m learning from great mentors and taking it one step at a time. While I wish I knew exactly how all the pieces I’m acquiring are going to fall into place, I have to be patient with myself as I put it all together.
More than a Teacher 