I wrote an exact blog post like this three years ago when I thought I found my new job after ten years at WIS. Things didn’t exactly work out in early 2019 and I was back with my old friends at office 3609. Fast forward to this year and I think I made the right decision this time around.
I’ve spent most of my post academia life in retail, working in restaurants and traveling with my office doing inventory. Some of the various stores we counted were JCPenney, Kohls, Lowes, Joann Fabrics, and most recently we just got Target back. I’ve also counted plenty of dollar stores as well as small clothing stores in the mall.
For most of that time post academia, I was with WIS International. Recently I stepped down to take a job closer to home with Giant Eagle. Everyday is a learning experience and I’ve made it count every night there. Sometimes I felt the past knocking at my door reminding me of past failures but I’ve passed that valley for good now.
Working close to home has felt like a culture shock, but it’s a blessing. However, I find the enjoyment in reaching into the WIS archives and telling my new work family some of the “horror stories” of counting at some of our bigger events. I’ve started to forget what it was like to work on the road. Being close to home does that to you, and it feels so good. I’m glad I have some of my old work friends to keep in touch with though.
At 40, it’s obvious I have way more appreciation for Giant Eagle than I did Kings and Eat’n Park (I worked for Park Classic Diner). I’m also more aware of the opportunities that are knocking on the doorstep. I’m not that same person who longed for the “good old days” of college even just a few years back.
Everything happens for a reason, and in early 2019 it was the right time for me to return to WIS after a short stint with Giant Eagle. That set the stage for all the good things took place in 2019 and helped mold me into who I am today. I wouldn’t have started this blog and I wouldn’t have found myself.
In 2021, when the WIS-RGIS merger was going to be a reality, I knew change was coming. Initially, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Eventually though, I knew I needed to make that change for me. The question of where I would go was answered a week before Thanksgiving, and it was right for me to take a chance on it.
In November 2021, it was the right time for me to leave WIS and give Giant Eagle a chance. My work family was pulling for me to succeed and left the door open just in case I wanted to return. I’ve seen myself improve over time and feel as if I made the right decision.
So far, it has paid off really well.
Stylish 🍒 