From Career to Calling
Finding Your True Calling When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn
Never Be Afraid to Start Over
When we begin our careers, we're full of dreams and convinced that nothing can stop us from succeeding. What no one tells us is that the road to success is filled with detours, setbacks, and unexpected turns. No one prepares you to lose a job you've faithfully devoted years to building or to start over later in life.
After 28 years as a Business Analyst and Project Manager, I was unexpectedly terminated. My last performance review had been exceptional, yet suddenly, everything changed. Determined to move forward, I applied for more than 120 positions in Operations and Information Technology. Not one employer called.
During that difficult season, I repeatedly heard two simple words: "Go teach." I ignored them at first because teaching wasn't part of my career plan. But after hearing the same message three times, I stopped applying for corporate jobs and submitted an application to become a substitute teacher.
Within 30 minutes, I received a call to begin the interview process. Less than two months later, I was standing in my first classroom. By my second week, I knew I wanted to do more than substitute—I wanted to teach. That decision led me to become a certified educator.
Starting over after 50 was intimidating, but I trusted God to lead me where He called me. I stopped chasing a paycheck and started pursuing my purpose. Today, teaching is the most rewarding work I've ever done. It is more than a career; it is a ministry. Every day, I have the opportunity to encourage, inspire, and invest in the lives of my students.
If my journey has taught me anything, it's this: Never be afraid to start over. Your experience still has value, your skills still matter, and your purpose has no expiration date. Sometimes what feels like the end of one career is simply the beginning of your true calling.
