As we go through the many seasons in our lives, some of us can relate to changing our profession or striving to develop our careers and sometimes even unemployment which can be a daunting journey often filled with uncertainty and stress. Let’s look at how we can navigate through three sections. I’ll also share examples from my personal life along the way.
I. Be Courageous as you Change your Industry.
II. Be Sincere and Excel in your Career.
III. Be Patient as you Transition through Unemployment.
I. Be Courageous as You Change Your Industry
Here’s my industry shift story: I graduated as a military nurse (a Lieutenant) and served for five years. I loved the job and the army life, but I quit after I got married to an Air Force Doctor. After a few years, unfortunately, my husband died due to a rare medical condition. So here I was, a 36-year-old housewife with small kids. I’m a resilient person and a believer who prayed regularly. Things were okay initially, but after 3 years, as my monthly expenditure increased, I couldn’t make ends meet with the pension I received. I had to borrow money from my brother towards the end of the month. I knew I had to get a job fast. I didn’t want to go back to nursing as that would take time away from my small children. I wanted to do something different. I considered all sorts of jobs like running a playschool or working in an office, but nothing appealed to me. I was clueless about what to do. In desperation, I even considered returning to Nursing and sent in my application to Martha’s Hospital but didn’t go for the interview. So in such a scenario, PAUSE and, ask yourself, what are my interests?
I seriously contemplated this question and thought about how I always liked solving maths and physics problems in school and considered, whether I should learn something about computers. Then one day, I chanced upon a tiny news item about the Government of India sponsoring a Basic Programming course for women. I immediately went to the specified address—the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (IETE) and submitted my application. Soon I was called for a written test. The venue was an auditorium and it was filled! Most of the questions were on general knowledge, a few on logical thinking, and there was an essay. I completed the test feeling happy. After a few weeks, I received an official letter welcoming me to their one-year course and I was to receive a stipend of Rs 250/month! The government of India was giving me Rs 250 a month just to learn computers! How fortunate is that? Going for that programming course and completing it was my FIRST step in shifting careers from Nursing to the Software industry. A few points from my experience:
1. You need to be Bold as You Change Your Industry and Take the First Step
And, God always does His bit. After a few months into the course, I learned from the Director of IETE that the cut-off age for selection was 38. I had crossed 40, but the Director had waived that aside and selected me as a special entry. Out of 500 applicants, I was one among 80 selected candidates!
2. Work Hard
Hard work pays off! From the moment I was selected, even before I knew I was a special entry student, I recognized this was a God-given chance and that I couldn’t and shouldn’t mess it up. I was back in a classroom after a gap of 20 years. I worked very hard. Every moment of my free time was spent reading these programming books, GW Basic, and Cobol, at times it was while commuting on a bus, in waiting rooms, or just waking up early to study on my terrace. My effort was rewarded. A year later, I graduated with distinction. My notebooks had this verse from
2 Timothy 2:15, Study to show yourself approved unto God.
After receiving my certificate, I searched the newspapers for a job and noticed that most software companies required Visual Basic. I had no inkling what this was about, and I didn’t have the finances to enrol in a course to learn Visual Basic. So I installed the software on my children’s computer, borrowed a book on Visual Basic from the library, and diligently worked on the examples from start to finish. I then added knowledge of Visual Basic to my one-page resume. In all probability, the Visual Basic on my resume prompted the HR manager at Ampersand Software to even consider my profile–that of a 40-plus lady with no IT work experience!
But it was also God’s favour again: I didn’t apply to ten companies or even five. I applied to just one company that was AMPERSAND Software and was selected to do the documentation for their accounting software product. There was no looking back after that. I have to add that with this industry shift and the job, my financial needs were met!
The point I want to emphasize is, that Life is about opportunities and when you get an opportunity, be courageous, go all out and work hard, real hard.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
There was one more career shift that I made. After nearly two years at Ampersand, I quit to start my own company called Quillnet Internet Services. I took a computer and its accessories on loan, purchased server space, and began offering hosting services. I created websites for companies and individuals. I had a business plan in place, made business cards for myself as Director of Quillnet, and created flyers detailing the services Quillnet could offer. The company did well; I was able to return the loaned computer after three months and purchase my own. I am proud to share that Infosys was one of my clients!
Now comes the downturn. After about two years, I needed a new car and was considering how to take a loan. Then, one day out of the blue, a start-up company called me for an interview, and I became a documentation manager for their software product. I had not applied to this company. As a result, unfortunately, Quillnet was neglected and gradually faded away. I didn’t suffer a loss, and the plus point is that my confidence in interacting with people grew during this period. Another notable memory was that, as a business owner, I was invited to a function where Bill Gates presided in Bangalore!
II. Be Sincere and Excel in your Career
– the second section on developing your career.
What’s the difference between Career Growth and Career Development? While both are related, Growth is how you visualize yourself going forward, and Development is what it takes to get there. Career growth is dependent on your career development—you grow continuously in your grace, gifts, and skills. There are 3 main points:
- Be Sincere.
- Create your career goals.
- Enjoy your work.
1 Be Sincere
Essential qualities like sincerity and gentleness will get you noticed and give you access to people and places in authority.
- Be authentic while writing your reports.
- When you’re missing a deadline, let your stakeholders know before the due date that you’re running late and need more time to complete the task.
- If there are concepts that you’re not understanding, reach out to the manager to give you a session or resources that’ll help.
- Never bluff your way through.
2 Create Career Goals
When we have a purpose in life, we are more focused and will plan our time and effort to reach that goal. Otherwise, it’s possible to become stagnant in our comfort zone. For example, one of your career goals could be:
- Achieve a quicker level of proficiency
- Achieve a higher rank in your job hierarchy
- Achieve a stronger sense of self-worth
A. Achieve a quicker level of Proficiency.
Don’t stop learning and enhance your profile as soon as possible.
In the early 2000s, there was a recession, and people were losing their jobs. I realized that my position as a documentation manager could be at stake since my degree qualification was B.Sc. Nursing. So I enrolled for a Master’s degree in English Literature. It was a 2-year correspondence course. I had to read a stack of books and attend the contact sessions. This was alongside my office and housework, it wasn’t easy but I managed and passed the exams.
To strengthen our position, we also need to keep ourselves updated on the latest technological developments in our field. In the IT industry, it could be the software tools used by other companies to do the same tasks, their methodologies, and best practices. One of the best ways to do this is to attend conferences and workshops.
Whatever domain you’re working in, get to understand and know that domain well. A good way could also be to read related books.
B. Achieve a higher rank in your job hierarchy
Most of us may have aspirations of receiving a promotion within our company. For some colleagues, it’s easy they get promoted to a higher level, and when it doesn’t happen for you, you’re left wondering, am I not good enough? And you start comparing. While it’s good to take stock of the situation and do some self-analysis on your performance, remember: Promotion comes from the Lord
1 Peter 5:6 (GNB) says, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.”
God works in ways we can’t comprehend. I was in a company called Symphony Services and had not yet completed a year there when I received a call from Oracle to lead the Documentation team for their new Business Unit, Oracle Retail. Initially, I refused but the recruiter was persistent and I attended the first interview, and after a week, he persisted again and I met the Director this time. I was delighted when I saw that my salary offer was nearly twice that of Symphony Services. So now I was in Oracle for 8 years and hadn’t received a promotion to the next level. I did receive the yearly hikes and received an award too but no promotion to the next level. I resigned myself to this fact and said, it’s ok I’ll be retiring soon anyway. Then a few months before my 60th birthday, I told my manager in the US that she’d need to find a replacement as I’d be retiring. She was surprised and said, “No, no, just apply for an extension,” and I did that. The following year, I was promoted to senior documentation manager and continued to work for another four years. It’s amazing to see what God’s favor can do. When I should have retired at 56 if I was in Symphony Services, here I was gainfully employed and even received a promotion and benefits that had a cascading effect on my retirement package. God did lift me in his own good time! I thank and Praise God all the time
Always remember this verse in Psalm 75:6-7 For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.
C. Achieve a stronger sense of self-worth, be your own brand!
Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.”
Be excellent in your work. Don’t settle for average. Remember, excellence is not a “one-off” thing. Excellence in your work must be seen consistently.
- Be excellent in your work. Don’t settle for average. Remember, excellence is not a “one-off” thing. Excellence in your work must be seen consistently.
- Be someone who builds Strong Relationships: Build positive connections with colleagues, and seek feedback.
- Be aware of the competencies for your role
The more you are given, the more you have to deliver. If you want to be entrusted with a greater role, position, and responsibility in an organization, understand that much will be expected from you. From managing a single project, you may handle multiple projects, maybe even across time zones. Are you ready to handle such responsibility? Do you have the required skills and competencies?
Here’s a practical tip: If you visit your company’s website, you’ll find various job roles and their required competencies. Take an Excel sheet and jot down the competencies for your role. Have you accomplished everything? Then look at the next higher level and note down the competencies. Highlight areas where you’re clueless and strive to reach that higher level of competency. During your appraisal, you could show your manager that you’re ready for a promotion.
Remember, the stakes get higher, the higher up you go.
You need the wisdom to check if you are ready for this mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Proverbs 4:8 (GNB), says, Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor.
3 Enjoy your Work!
The 3rd point in Career Growth. You can enjoy the rewards of your work
Psalm 128:1-4 (GNB): Happy are those who obey the LORD, who live by His commands. Your work will provide for your needs; you will be happy and prosperous. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in your home, and your children will be like young olive trees around your table.
A man who obeys the LORD will surely be blessed like this. What a nice picture!
One of the promises in Scripture is that you can enjoy the rewards of your work. God will bless you so that your work will provide for your needs, and you can be happy and prosperous. Believe God’s Word and look to Him to bring this about in your life.
I think what people forget these days is the balance of extracurricular activities and work. It’s important to have hobbies and quiet time alongside work, not get bogged down and burnt out, not get sucked into office politics and lose track. Use commute time to read or relax, use office time to work and not let it infringe on exercise time. I used my 35 km commute time to learn French through a podcast series. Later I enrolled at the Alliance Francaise and reached B1.
To reiterate, remember these 3 points to enhance your Career Growth:
- Be sincere.
- Create your career goals
- Enjoy your work.
III. Be Patient as you Transition through Unemployment
– the final section
These days, we hear a lot about people being laid off, not finding suitable jobs, or struggling to return to work after a break. Whatever the reason, going through an extended period of unemployment is hard and scary, especially if you have responsibilities. If this period drags on, it can bring about negative feelings, depression, and despair.
During this trying period, you need to be patient as you transition through unemployment. This is easier said than done, be patient, and here are three points that’ll help:
- Keep your trust in the Lord
- Keep advancing your job search
- Keep enhancing your skills
1. Keep your trust in the Lord
This is not just a random phrase from the Bible; it has a deeper physiological significance as well. There are two parts of our brain: the amygdala, which is activated when we encounter fear, and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which counters the fear and provides solutions. These two are reciprocal. A certain amount of fear is beneficial as it helps avoid danger, but constant fear and anxiety cause the amygdala to increase in size while the vmPFC shrinks, impairing your positive and rational thinking. As a result, your decision-making isn’t going very well. In resilient people, the amygdala (fear and anxiety) returns to normal within a couple of seconds as the vmPFC (rational thinking) takes over and becomes active helping you take a good decision.
The Bible has numerous verses telling us not to fear or be anxious. We should consider these verses seriously.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (NIV)
During my unemployed years, another verse from Isaiah struck me afresh. I have a fairly large hall on my first floor, and when my classmate from Clarence School asked if he could start a church there, I agreed. So every Sunday morning, there was a church service at my house. One of the speakers was fond of this “eagle” verse, and I heard it a couple of times.
Isaiah 40:31: But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Each time I heard it, I pictured myself as this strong eagle flying high above.
“Waiting” on the Lord doesn’t mean just sitting around doing nothing. It means being patient and looking forward to God’s timing while actively doing what you know He wants you to do right now. This waiting period is a great time to prepare for the next stage of your life. God will come through and open doors to lead you to the right opportunities. Another encouraging verse to believe in:
Psalm 37:23-25 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.
2. Keep pursuing your job search
Don’t give up and keep looking for opportunities. Now, I had this Basic Programming certification in hand and I searched for jobs. The ad section of the newspapers was my only source to see the job market. When I didn’t come across a job that suited my criteria in the Indian Express, I switched to a local newspaper, Deccan Herald, much to my children’s chagrin. However, I was successful in finding my first job that met my criteria. Do you know what my criteria was? The office I work in should be nearest to Yelahanka, and this was met! My first job was at RT Nagar, Ampersand Software, and it was just a 15-minute drive from my house in those days.
Nowadays, LinkedIn is a great site to have your profile on and you can even set up a filter to receive suitable job opportunities. Other job portals are quite effective as well.
3. Keep developing your skills
As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t sure what job I should take. That one-year computer programming course was my entry into the IT industry, where I worked for 23 years and retired from Oracle Software. It always helps to develop your skills.
So when you’re in that waiting period to get a job, remember: Keep your trust in the Lord, pursue your job search, and develop your skills.
To summarize today’s talk:
I. Be Courageous as you Change your Industry.
II. Be Sincere and Excel in your Career.
III. Be Patient as you Transition through Unemployment.
The crucial point is to trust God, be humble, and work hard. No matter how much you’ve achieved, there’s always scope to learn more and achieve more. It’s amazing what you can bounce back to!
Picture the eagle flying in the sky—that could be you!
Gave the above talk on June 8, 2024 at the Weekend School at APC for God at Work as one of the speakers.
Jean Rao
Resources:. Timeless Principles in the Workplace
A Hundred Contemplations 