Career Growth & Resilience
From Executive Assistant to Leader: A Journey of Healing, Growth, and Reclaiming Your Strength
I began my career in the oil and gas industry as an executive assistant, supporting one—sometimes two—leaders at a time. It was the world I knew, the environment I was comfortable in, and for a long time, it felt like the safest place for me to stay. My whole family, along with many of my friends, work in the oil and gas industry.
Over the years, my responsibilities grew. I learned how to juggle priorities, manage complexity, and anticipate needs. At one point, I was supporting six executives simultaneously—something I never imagined I’d be capable of when I first started down this career path.
Today, I’m proud to say I’m a Senior Executive Assistant. I was promoted last year, and I now mentor and manage another executive assistant. Looking back, it’s clear how far I’ve come, but the journey wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal.
For several years, I was in an abusive marriage that slowly chipped away at who I was. Instead of being encouraged to grow, I was pulled further into a dark place. One day, I looked at myself and barely recognized the person staring back. I was exhausted, depleted, and wondering how I had gotten so far from the woman I once was. It’s incredibly hard to focus on a career when your home life is broken.
What kept me going was a quiet but fierce fight inside me. I wanted more—not just for myself, but for my son. While he was never physically harmed, he witnessed far more than any child should. I knew I couldn’t give up. I knew I deserved better, and he did too. And I knew I had to show him what strength and courage really look like.
Leaving took time. Healing took even longer. But I did it. And when I finally came out on the other side, I realized something powerful: as I was growing in a positive direction personally, I wanted—and needed—to grow professionally as well.
That’s when I made the decision to branch out beyond oil and gas. I knew my capabilities. I knew I could support multiple executives, lead with confidence, and bring real value. I just needed someone to believe in me and give me a chance. And someone did.
Today, I am thriving—not just in my career, but in my life. I am now in a happy, healthy marriage with a husband who encourages and motivates me daily. He is my biggest supporter, and I truly would not be where I am today without his unwavering love and belief in me. Alongside him, my family has been a constant source of strength and support throughout every chapter of my journey. I am incredibly blessed to have a strong support system and to be surrounded by people who lift me up and want to see me succeed.
I’ve proven to myself that I am capable of more than I ever allowed myself to believe. I’ve built a career I’m proud of, stepped into leadership, and rediscovered my voice along the way.
I share this story in the hope that it reaches another woman who may feel stuck, broken, or unsure of her next step. There is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Growth looks different for everyone—professionally, personally, or both—but no matter what that growth looks like for you, know this: you are strong, you are beautiful, and you do not deserve to have your light dimmed by anyone.
Keep going. You’re capable of more than you know.
