regardless of age, status, or education credentials
Earning a PhD is a significant achievement, and for me, it was a culmination of a supportive community and the guidance of mentors. After graduation, I realized that there were plenty of opportunities beyond academia, and I was eager to explore them. Like a traveler reaching a mountain peak, I was faced with a new horizon to explore, and I dove right into a new terrain.
I made the pivot from an academic career in DEI to industry DEI. The prospect was exciting, but it was also daunting, especially as it happened during the pandemic. Organizations had shifted to remote work, making it challenging to connect with people and learn new work cultures. Despite my educational credentials and professional experience, I felt uncertain and struggled to learn the implicit and explicit norms of behavior, work values, and power differentials in my new workplace. I felt like I was starting over, learning new acronyms, and trying to build community with colleagues while working remotely. I realized that, as a lifelong learner, I needed guidance and support from others to thrive. However, finding the right community or mentor felt like online dating - all prospects claimed to have it all, and I was skeptical.
This post is about my journey of searching for community, clarity, and guidance after making a career pivot. I know some may think that having a PhD should make transitions seamless, but it’s not always the case. Making a career pivot can be a challenging and somewhat isolating experience, even with educational credentials and professional experience. It’s essential to have a supportive community to guide and support you along the way, and I hope that sharing my story with Success Cohorts’ Program will inspire others to seek out the support they need to thrive.
One day, an email introduced me to the “Success Cohorts (SC)” program, that immediately caught my attention. Unlike other online programs I had encountered, this one uniquely brought together first-generation, early career individuals from diverse backgrounds to provide guidance and support as we worked towards achieving our personal, professional, and academic goals. What intrigued me even more was that participants were connected with mentors and coaches who provided valuable insights, resources, and accountability. It aligned perfectly with what I had been searching for – guides, mentors, resources, clarity, and community networks!
The program evoked memories of diverse life experiences marked by transitions. These included relocating across state lines, transitioning between various workplaces, and enrolling in graduate programs. A consistent theme throughout these experiences was dealing with uncertainty and adapting to new cultural norms within learning and working environments. A key recurring aspect was that despite encountering challenges within these endeavors, they ultimately became successful situations in which I thrived. This outcome stemmed from recognizing the strength of community, practicing self-advocacy, seeking support from others, and maintaining an ongoing thirst for learning and curiosity. Seeking mentors, expanding my network, and nurturing meaningful connections within both community and work settings also played a pivotal role.
I applied to the program with the hope of finding a new compass for my new journey and re-imagining what “success” looks like in this next chapter of my life, while in a community. During my interview, I was asked whether I was sure I wanted to apply. The interviewers then said, “We would love to have you, but you have some great credentials, and we could be working with YOU to get your expertise and consulting on our program and curriculum.” My response was, “I am aware of my credentials, and I have just embarked on a career pivot, which is all new and uncharted terrain for me. I want to keep learning. I’d like to be a part of this program to find community, mentors, and resources to support my personal and professional growth.” And the rest, as they say, is history!
A big takeaway from the experience is that, following graduation and a career pivot, I am situated to continue having a positive impact by supporting leaders to be more inclusive and effective allies in various industries, including corporate, Higher Education and the arts.
It's essential to remember that life is full of transitions and uncertainty, and it's okay to reach out for support. As a leader with a doctorate, I am continually growing and learning. Transitioning into uncertainty shouldn't be a reason to pause one's learning journey. As humans and lifelong learners, our need for mentorship and support does not fade with age, status, nor education credentials. I will never surpass the desire and passion to learn and develop meaningful relationships.
I continued meaningful engagement with the program the following year, this time as a coach. I have had the wonderful opportunity to build my community, share my networks and resources, while supporting the personal and professional development of others. This experience was immensely rewarding, reaffirming my enthusiasm for nurturing our community of leaders in all of their success. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to continue learning with and from the SC community.
Gracias and thank you SC!
Dr./Dra. Elba Moise
