I Quit My Dream Job

Hello friends! It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged and so much of my life has changed since then. Like a helluva lot.

It’s been nearly a year and a half and I’ve changed drastically. In a good way.

The last time I’ve blogged, I was at a place where I was going through lots of changes. And here I am, going through lots of changes. again. All good, of course! (I promise, I’ll update this more often HAHAHA)

I remember my last blog post, I mentioned starting a new job. My dream job. Or so, I thought it was my dream job.

If you knew me, I am a social butterfly, a creative soul obsessed with all things food and travel. The hospitality industry plays such a big role in my life. Having my mom be a manager of a restaurant and my dad working in various hotels, I basically grew up in hotel lobbies and eating take-out. However, my love for this industry stems from my grandma. I grew up with my grandma’s cooking. I remember watching her cook and bake all the time. I appreciated the process and time it would take for her to craft a delicious, hearty meal. (I mean, those Filipino dishes have very specific ingredients that definitely take time to find and perfect!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Cooking is definitely an art that is unique to every chef. Chefs can be tasked to create one dish, but each one would be unique and have their own special takes to a classic! And so, I’ve always been intrigued by the story behind dishes and restaurants. It is inspiring to hear about a family recipe that’s been shared with each family’s generation or the need to innovate & find a new way to create timeless cuisine. That is why working with restaurants have been such great labor of love for me. I love the stories behind all of them

When approached with the opportunity to take on my last role, it felt as if I was entering the job I’ve dreamt about since I was a little girl. It really was though. I had the chance to do the two things I knew I wanted to do which were:

1) create sick content and

2) eat lots of good food

And, I always did that. lots of it. I still do though.

However, the more and more I learned about my field and the more experience I gain, I started to truly take the time to think about my values and passions. The pandemic also has taught me so much about my capabilities and my ability to pivot and truly innovate. After a year of being stuck at home due to the quarantine, I had a lot of time to think and realize a truth within myself: I am a true entrepreneur.

Fun Fact: I own an Etsy shop now!

In college, we’re oftentimes presented with the expectation that a 9-5 is what your 13 years of school will give you. You’ll graduate college then your goal is to find a famous company and make lots of money. That scenario is engrained in us. Being a daughter of immigrants, it’s always been a goal of mine to work hard and be able to provide for my family. My parents made the decision to move here, with the desire to provide me a better future. And so, I need to make them proud. With that mentality and society basically force-feeding us the belief that in order to succeed, you’ll need a 9-5. However, I’m finding that I can never be fulfilled by JUST a 9-5. Back then, whenever people would ask, “What are your career goals?” I’d reply “Get a good marketing job,” thinking that just getting a 9-5 will make me happy.

And so I realize now, I didn’t quit my dream job. I’ll always a place in my heart for restaurants and the experiences that the role gave me.

It’s not that I didn’t quit my dream job because I just found my dream job.

The more I learn about myself and the opportunities out there for me, I’m learning that my dream job isn’t what I thought it was, just even a year and a half later.

My dream job is to be able to be my own boss and uplift those around me. I want to create opportunities for myself and those who may come from similar backgrounds as me. Being a woman of color in a field where yt executives rule the c-suite, I want to build my own empire so that way I provide platforms for other minority creators. I want to use the talents and skills I have to uplift my community. I want to work with like-minded individuals to create cool shit that truly makes an impact on those around us and empowers our communities to do what they dream of. My goal from the very beginning of my career has always been to shed light on those stories that are left in the dark. Still is a goal to this day and I will work my ass off to make it happen.

My dream job isn’t about the luxurious clients I get to work with or the awesome perks & benefits that a corporate job would give me. I’m learning that I don’t see myself staying at a 9-5 until I retire.

Me being a multi-hyphenated creative with so many different passions I hope to explore, I want to live the rest of my life building upon those passion projects and hyping up those who are doing the same.

I can’t wait to share with you all what I have in store for me, but first: let me build it.

Sincerely,