Famine Analyst to Global Health Program Manager
September 2018
Hi Anthony,
I hope you’re doing well. My pursuits have finally paid off. I finally was able to land a new job. And just in time as things are getting really tense at work with our contract wrapping up. I’m not sure if it will be my dream job but I’m excited about the change and what it may lead me to. And I have recently thought so much about what we talked about and what I thought would be important in a job. I have gotten some of that. So thank you!
I think it will be a good bridge job, as it is still international, working on global health, but it has an education bent, which I’m excited about. Plus it seems like there is much more work-life balance and no international travel required. Also, it isn’t analysis work, but program management, which I think will be a better fit.
I start in a couple weeks, so I’ll keep you posted. And thanks again! You’re very good at what you do.
Best,
Kim
A little background:
Although Kim found her work on food famine issues and international development generally important, something wasn’t quite right. Her natural propensity for engaging people and her practical, caring personality were mismatched with her primary job function, data analysis, a highly introverted activity, and the majority of the daily tasks were too logical and abstract for how her mind works. On top of that, the subject matter and meaning of her work weren’t pulling on her to want to learn more. The climate science and technologies underlying famine issues just aren’t Kim’s cup of tea, it was stressful for her to take the deep dives required.
The Careerfinder testing revealed that Kim’s brain is wired up to be more outgoing, empathetic and tribal, so, we thought a program management hat and team-based situation would give her a chance to swim with the stream of her natural talents. Kim needed to find a “bridge job” within reach and on short notice, with the goal of wearing this new hat but on topic that’s not too far afield from her prior experience base in international development. Her clarity about what she’s good at and cares about sharpened her focus about the kind of position she wants. Her investigative job hunt paid off in just a few months. Kim found a program management position in global health and education that resonates as more personally meaningful, fits her natural talents, and equally important, the new work environment shows promise to be a better fit with her family commitments and lifestyle.
