For your consideration:
Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.
– Richard L. Evans
In 1988, I made a difficult decision to leave a job I loved as a Technical Support Engineer for Hewlett-Packard Co.’s Advanced Chemical Systems R&D group in Avondale, PA. My wife and her family wanted us to return to Louisville, KY, and I complied, despite having no job lined up and feeling utterly defeated. My work at H.P. was not only my passion but also a significant part of my self-worth.
Eventually, I found employment in Louisville as a GC/MS chemist in LabCorp’s toxicology department. Over time, I rediscovered my passion in a completely different area of chemistry. My perspective on life shifted from second-guessing my decision to leave H.P. to a renewed sense of belonging and purpose, albeit in a new environment.
My journey through multiple career changes, though often painful, has been a significant part of my growth. Now, at 67, I see these experiences as instrumental in shaping me into the person I am meant to be, right here, right now.
We all share in the experience of personal growth. Life is a journey that extends beyond any single moment. We will inevitably face decisions or setbacks that affect us emotionally, socially, or professionally. Through these obstacles and mistakes, we learn to persevere. Every experience, good or bad, contributes to our future selves. We can choose to regret the past, or we can recognize that those decisions have shaped who we are today.
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