I have a friend who is about to move her family across the world (literally) for a new job. I'm excited that she's excited but, wow, what a huge risk. What if her husband can't find a job he likes? What if her kid doesn't like the school? What if she doesn't like the job? What then? The problem is that most people will ask these questions and then decide that it's easier to stay put. Change is hard and taking a chance this big doesn't appeal to a lot of people.
Now for my story. I closed the solo consulting business I had been running in Korea for seven years, sold my car, rented out my apartment, and moved to Tajikistan to join a regional education project four months ago. It was supposed to last from March 2023 until January 2025 but recently I realized that this job isn't a good match for me. It's an office job, an admin job that is part project management and part curriculum development. I'm not teaching and I'm not traveling around the region like the job description suggested. Those are the things that make me excited to get out of bed in the morning.
So I gave my notice and will leave the project at the end of July. It will be a fresh start, I suppose. I can't go back to Korea easily since my apartment is still being rented. I can stay here in Dushanbe and do border runs every month. I can go live cheaply in Albania. I could go somewhere I've always dreamed of visiting with the money I've saved. That's the positive part. I don't have to choose quickly or rush to find a new job immediately.
I took a chance with my career, found out that it didn't suit me, and am fortunate to be able to float for a while. I think the best aspect is that I'm back on the free agent roster for short gigs. I loved flying to Tunisia for teacher training before COVID and working with the Afghan teens in Albania and Tajikistan last year. I was in the classroom and that brought me joy. Whatever is next, it will be something that I'm confident will bring me joy.
Do I regret taking this job? Not at all. I learned a lot, met a bunch of great people, and discovered what I don't enjoy doing in terms of day-to-day work. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next. It could be something I never considered or maybe it's something that has been right under my nose. Check this page in a few months and I'll let you know.
Now for my story. I closed the solo consulting business I had been running in Korea for seven years, sold my car, rented out my apartment, and moved to Tajikistan to join a regional education project four months ago. It was supposed to last from March 2023 until January 2025 but recently I realized that this job isn't a good match for me. It's an office job, an admin job that is part project management and part curriculum development. I'm not teaching and I'm not traveling around the region like the job description suggested. Those are the things that make me excited to get out of bed in the morning.
So I gave my notice and will leave the project at the end of July. It will be a fresh start, I suppose. I can't go back to Korea easily since my apartment is still being rented. I can stay here in Dushanbe and do border runs every month. I can go live cheaply in Albania. I could go somewhere I've always dreamed of visiting with the money I've saved. That's the positive part. I don't have to choose quickly or rush to find a new job immediately.
I took a chance with my career, found out that it didn't suit me, and am fortunate to be able to float for a while. I think the best aspect is that I'm back on the free agent roster for short gigs. I loved flying to Tunisia for teacher training before COVID and working with the Afghan teens in Albania and Tajikistan last year. I was in the classroom and that brought me joy. Whatever is next, it will be something that I'm confident will bring me joy.
Do I regret taking this job? Not at all. I learned a lot, met a bunch of great people, and discovered what I don't enjoy doing in terms of day-to-day work. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next. It could be something I never considered or maybe it's something that has been right under my nose. Check this page in a few months and I'll let you know.
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