I haven’t mentioned much about my current job on here lately. Yes, I am still working. And yes, it is definitely
Source IIMCAL
awkward. Word has spread that I am leaving and people have come to ask me about it. It is work and there are politics and to be honest, I don’t trust too many people, so my standard response is that I just got burned out. Which I guess you could say is true.
There are a few people that are just adamant that I am pregnant. I don’t even look slightly pregnant…who would leave their jobs in their first trimester anyway?! Only male engineers would think this was an appropriate assumption to voice.
In addition to the average work gossip, there has been some movement from upper level people. The CEO dropped by to talk to me about it. First off, I don’t think he knew who I was or what my name was or what I did on a daily basis, so this conversation was just awkward. Luckily I have thought about it enough that I came across as eloquent and sure of myself. He obviously didn’t really care if I stayed or left because he came to my cube ad hoc, not inviting me up to this office for an official meeting.
But today things got a little more interesting. I had a one on one meeting with the COO/President. This is a person that does know my work and has worked directly with me. In addition to that, we also used to go to the same gym so we worked out together. And he played football for Georgia Tech and my father played football for Georgia Tech so we have always been friendly. I didn’t expect him to have a meeting with me out of our common love of a particular college football team so I was surprised. And definitely nervous. I simply did not know what to expect from the meeting and really how I should act and what to say.
The meeting went very well. It was friendly and personable. It was intimidating and I probably talked more honestly to him than I had originally planned to. He truly seemed very upset that I was leaving and put just about everything on the table to get me to stay. He understood the reasons that I had and he definitely respected them. “If I was in your position, I would have done the same thing. You are making the correct decision.” I think he understood where the issues occurred and understood my reasoning. The meeting ended on a very upbeat note and I definitely left with more respect and appreciation for him than I had going into the meeting. The meeting probably helped promote my lasting opinion of the company.
All of this has been flattering. I work for a company with hundreds of employees. I didn’t expect the CEO to come talk to me but I think he probably did just because it is “the right thing to do”. The COO on the other hand definitely did not need to try to persuade me to stay and I am pretty positive that he doesn’t meet with all exiting employees. It furthered my reasoning that I did do a great job at this company and I was a hard worker. It is unfortunate things built to a level where I was so unhappy. But at least I know that all the opinions in my head of myself and the quality of my work were accurate.
Otherwise–I was at the gym today and I was simply overwhelmed. Not in a good way, not in a bad way, in a simply astonished way. I never would have expected my career to be taking the path that it is on even 2 months ago. And when I went to college and especially graduate school, I never would have dreamed that one day I would quit my corporate job to just wing it. We truly never know where the path in front of us will lead.
To Smile.
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Glad you were able to meet with the COO and be encouraged about your decision. It sounds like, while it’s scary, it’s the right decision for you. Stick to your guns!
When I left my last job I felt like everyone on the planet wanted to meet with me to find out why. Had I met half of them before? Nope. They were like “why haven’t we met you yet?” I was like ummmm…..I don’t know?
I didn’t have the balls to tell them why I was really leaving (not that it was anything really bad at all)…I am impressed that you were able to be so honest!
It sounds like you were able to come to peace with your decision now that your hard work has been validated. I am super happy for you and excited about what the future holds for you. I am sure it will be exciting!
It’s kind of sad that it took leaving to find out that your bosses and colleagues thought that you were a hard worker! It just goes to show how important it is to feel appreciated.
My friend & I were just talking the other day about how it’s crazy that we’re 3.5 years out of college, and we’re just now realizing that we don’t HAVE to be on a certain path… in fact, she’s 99% sure that she’s going to go back to school to become a secondary ed teacher!
It is incredibly reassuring having someone so high up at my company also agree that the situation I was being put through was unacceptable and I made the right decision to leave. And to feel needed is definitely a nice compliment.
Haha–that is 100% how I feel. I also feel like why are people so nosy?! And I was so confused and amazed how my leaving spread like gossip. I work with all men, who knew they cared to gossip about me?!
I am impressed about my honesty too. I think it is just because I feel so sure of myself and I am so positive that I am doing the right thing (and people at my office definitely pushed me into this decision.) I don’t really want to take the onus of this and want someone else to be responsible.
I slowly am feeling more and more powerful about this decision. It definitely is this sense of peace that is taking over me.
That may be what frustrates me the most! Apparently people did respect me there…I wish I would have known that. But it definitely is too late now!
I think a lot of people are in this boat where we go to college, get educated (or trained) and then still don’t know what we are suppose to do. We may have a path or a direction but what if we don’t like that path? I know someone who went to school to be a teacher. She worked one year and realized she didn’t like kids (at least not teaching other peoples). She has to start all over.
I agree….it’s very sad that it is taking you leaving for them to voice their thoughts. But at least you can walk away from this with no burned bridges – that is something I learned, from experience, never to do!
It’s truly amazing how our lives can take turns we would never expect. I do think everything always works out how it’s supposed to, but it’s hard to see that when we’re in the moment!
I do have to say (and maybe it’s just me because I’m excited for you!) that you seem a lot happier, calmer, and at peace since you quit your job. I know nothing but great things are in store for you!
I agree-never burn bridges. And I keep repeating that over and over in my head. I try to be gracious and not disgruntled here. I have no idea what is to come in my life and I want to ensure I don’t ruin something.
And thank you–I agree…I am happier and calmer. I’m glad that that is noticeable and it transcends to the blog!