“We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” – Anonymous

Life is full of transition. As a recently graduated college student, the act of transitioning was recently a constant in my life. Changing jobs and classes was normal, but it did not make the concept any less terrifying. Maybe you are transitioning from full-time student to a full-time career like I recently did. Maybe you are unhappy in your current role and are ready to transition to a new one. Maybe there is a transition needed in your personal life. No matter what it is, transitioning involves constant decisions. I like to think the decisions I had, choices I made, and problems that I solved to get me where I am today were very ordinary. But the more I think upon it, I don’t think that there is a such thing as a typical journey or an ordinary path – life is just too complicated to be defined that way.

Starting from the beginning

My journey started at eighteen, when I fulfilled my (then) lifelong dream to move 2,000 miles away and attend Arizona State University. I majored in Forensic Science, comically and literally because my favorite show at the time was Showtime’s Dexter. Once I realized science was a serious no-no for me, I switched my major to psychology. A semester later, I transferred home to IUPUI to finish my bachelor’s degree with yet another major – Marketing. A year and a half later, I made my final major change to Human Resource Management. See – I was not lying about the constant choices and change. I am sure that this part of my journey sounds a little bit familiar. Sometimes it takes people a few different tries to figure out what they want to do. In my case, I changed my college and major. In other cases, you may want to change your career path, the company you work for, or maybe even the city you live in. This indecisiveness can seem embarrassing or frustrating at the time, but these are the times in which we learn the most about ourselves. I don’t regret my decision to change my major to any of those choices, as it was part of the path that led to who I am today, and I learned and grew so much through each of them. One trait that stuck with me through each of these choices is the fact that I love people – their similarities, their differences, and all of the things in between. I believe that this is part of what lead me to stick with Human Resources, as it’s all about helping the human side of business.

Where transitioning has led me today

My third HR internship was Purple Ink, and the workplace absolutely fed my soul from day one. It took me three internships to find the job that fit me well. This is another thing that we all can find frustrating – finding a culture that fits us. But because I was brave enough to transition and fight for what I wanted, I found an employer that embodied the culture I was craving. Your work should be motivating, and if it is not, know that change is not only okay, it’s necessary. When you work for an employer where your energy is not being depleted, you will come home happier and ready to work on your personal goals. At Purple Ink, I found a place, as well as people, that inspired me. I found a job that played at my strengths while also challenging me. I am so glad to be where I am as an HR Coordinator. The ability to work for a company that I believe in, with people I can learn from and admire, is priceless to me.

One thing I know for certain is that this is just my story – everyone has their own. Purple Ink would love to hear about yours, and how our company can make a difference in your unique journey through this crazy life. Are you a recent graduate on the job hunt? Are you in a role that is not fulfilling you? Our career coaching services are here to help, with tools to help you identify your strengths, resume and cover letter revisions, and much more. Reach out to us for more information.