Guest Post By: Alana Shatkin
Around December of 2017, I realized I wanted a career change, but had no idea what to pursue. I hold a political science degree and a master’s degree in nonprofit management. I had spent the prior two years working in development for a nonprofit organization whose mission I wholeheartedly believe in. While I enjoyed my job, I felt stagnant. I felt a change of employer, and possibly a change of industry, would be good for me.
Exploring Within.
I had heard the adage ‘ask and you shall receive,’ so I titled a piece of loose-leaf paper ‘My Dream Job’ and wrote a list of the general traits I desired in my ideal job. I wanted a flexible workweek, a high salary, a commute that was under 20 minutes, good coworkers, a workplace where I could take my dogs, and a chance to give back to my community.
Initially I wrote ‘May 2018’ on the paper as the target date for starting my dream job. It seemed like an attainable date; it felt possible. I then crossed out that date and wrote ‘January 2018.’ I then felt silly, and still directionless, since at the time January 2018 was less than a month away. Could I achieve my goal in such an aggressive time frame? I crumbled the loose-leaf paper and shoved it in a drawer.
My Passion.
Art was always a hobby of mine, but I never let myself believe it could be a career option. I feared the ‘starving artist’ stereotype. Despite my fears, I advertised that I was available to paint commissions, and even completed several paintings for the December 2017 holiday season. This small cushion gave me the courage I needed to leave my job. In January 2018, I gave my employer my two-week notice of resignation, and by February 2018 I was officially unemployed.
Into the Garden, Oil on Canvas
A good rule of thumb is to keep your current job until you find new employment. While I would ordinarily agree with the rule, that just was not going to work for me. I wanted to explore a variety of career options and industries. Quitting my job and openly telling my network that I was looking for new employment made it easy for them to approach me about opportunities within their companies instead of me searching for work in secret.
I interviewed at every company I could and spent my newly found free time painting daily. I constantly reminded myself that interviews are a two-sided process, and I stayed determined not to let my financial situation dictate the interview experience. It is all too easy to accept the first job offer or the highest salaried position and abandon our own desires to work in a job that aligns with our values and brings us joy. At this point, however, I was still doubtful that I could make a full-time living from my long-time passion; painting.
By May 2018, however, interest in my artwork had increased significantly. This motivated me to get prints made. The only cost-effective way to do this is to order the prints in bulk, and that I did. I ordered one thousand prints, along with packing and shipping material, business cards, and flyers. Then I purchased a domain name and developed my website. I hired a photographer to take professional images of my art, formed an LLC, and took on other actions typical of a startup business. I had made a significant investment in my art. This became a turning point in my journey because such a large financial investment represented a firm commitment to selling my art and developing a career as an artist.
Living My Dream.
Blue Crush, Oil on Canvas
I recently found the crumbled paper titled ‘My Dream Job,’ and I can’t help but laugh at how the universe works. It turns out that painting was in fact my dream job.
I am well on my way to hitting the financial goals I had included in that list. My ‘under 20-minute commute’ is actually 8 minutes both ways to the post office, a trip I make daily as I ship my art prints around the country. I paint and fulfill orders from my house and my dogs are always by my side. It’s challenging but it’s also fun and fulfilling. I am able to donate a portion of my sales back to causes that matter to me. Through my art I have combined my passion for politics and philanthropy. Coincidentally, even the dates I wrote on my list match with when I began selling the commissions in January 2018, and when I finally invested in my art in May 2018.
I guess the point I want to share is that it’s okay if you don’t know where you’re going. Take time to find what makes you happy; find your dream job. Be patient with yourself. Trust the universe. Ask and you shall receive.
About Alana:
Alana Shatkin is a native of Fort Lauderdale. She is a talented and creative artist, a feminist spirit with compassionate justice. Her journey is inspiring. We look forward to witnessing the development of her career.
See more of Alana’s work at https://www.alanaraeart.com
Read more about alternative work arrangements at http://legallybalanced.com/how-to-request-an-alternative-work-arrangement/