Employment comes knocking (or Winds of change)

So why the photo of the windmill? No real reason. Actually, this is just a nearby landmark that I've had the pleasure of observing almost every weekend when I go out for my Saturday morning long run. And I really just thought that this was a very cool picture I managed to take on an overcast day. My runs along the Fox River will take me through some beautiful sections of St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia -- the site of this windmill. The scenery is peaceful and sometimes inspirational. And there were many weekends were I would spend the better part of a run pondering the next move in my career.

In some ways, I felt like I had exhausted almost all energy and hope in the recent months. Since the move to Iowa in early 2004, the career path has been somewhat rocky. While there have been good moments, most of the results have been very short of fulfilling. My 13-month stay at Allsteel (Muscatine, IA) was both educating and frustrating. With physical and mental health failing fast, we decided to return to Illinois and regroup. I reestablished my self-employment structure, picked up most of my old clients and worked at home for the next year. The early months were profitable, but a slowdown was to be coming. And the next move sort of dropped into my lap -- a position as Creative Director at Creative Graphic Solutions, in Aurora. After just a few short months, I was soon aware of financial issues with the parent company and the design studio. While I wasn't out of a job, efforts by ownership and sales to turn things around didn't produce the desired results and I was soon having to think ahead to my next move.

The end of 2006 brought about a whirlwind set of circumstances. I interviewed out in Des Moines for a position as Creative Director for one of the top companies in the area (as mentioned in earlier postings). I was offered the position before the Christmas holiday season. But we ended up walking away from that offer at the start of January. As the 2007 year progressed, I was often left wondering if I had made the right decision in passing up on that position. The studio was failing and I didn't know what would come next.

I wasn't even sure I wanted to remain in this field. Years of churning out design work, branding, billing, estimates, in addition to the worry and the frustration over the lack of a career progression (no "ladder"), no raises, no paid vacation or holidays (for the self-employment years), and just wondering if perhaps I needed to look into something entirely new to inspire me. I was contemplating possibly a career coach. Maybe a mid-life school effort to change careers. But where would I find the time or money? Ugh.

I took a chance and threw a few resumes out to the world. There were not many opportunities out there that seemed worth pursuing. And the best descriptions were quite a distance away. Some out of state (again). Some just an unreasonable distance to drive (about 1.5 hours each way). Did I really want to spend 3-4 hours a day in a car for some unsatisfying corporate gig just to make a decent salary?

The answer arrived about 1 month ago in the form of a phone call from Coventry Health Care in Downers Grove. I had sent a resume out on a Friday afternoon for the position of Manager of Communications. On Monday morning, they came knocking. The first interview was a great success and I was really impressed with the company and the expectations of the role. But more important, I was extremely excited about the people. This was not an ordinary corporate setting. Some sort of intangible quality set them apart early. This was evident in my face-to-face with the Director of Communications. I was pretty sure things went well. And a couple of days later, I was called back for the 2nd round of interviews. I was no less impressed after that exchange. And just as excited about the possibilities. A day later, I received a call that an offer was being constructed and to let them know if anything were to change in my job situation. That afternoon, the verbal offer was in, followed by the actual offer package in the mail the next day. I was very happy with all of the components being offered and accepted a day later.

I started my new position 2 full weeks ago. I have never been more happy with a career decision. In my new role, I achieve an almost perfect balance of design and management. I oversee branding and design, handle the communications needs (presentations, print, advertising, events, marketing, etc.), and also benefit from one aspect not found in most of the positions I've pursued -- an actual balance of work and family. No kidding. You mean we actually get treated as professionals? We can do our job and then go home at a reasonable hour? I can still catch my running club on Wednesday nights?

I have a long drive now. Not terrible, but not like the last several years. But I drive home with a very fulfilling feeling of accomplishment and a strong suspicion that just maybe this might be "home" for me.

Stay tuned.