2024 Reflection - Challenges of Unemployment - Will to Keep Pushing Forward!

I hope you'll pardon my digression as I've had just over a week to not only contemplate this past year but also reflect on my entire life since I voluntarily stepped down from my role at Eli Lilly & Company on December 10, 2024.

In March 2023, I was fortunate enough to join a startup in the pharmaceutical sector, which would later be acquired by Eli Lilly. With most of my career rooted in the aviation and medical device fields, I viewed this new opportunity as an exciting and rewarding challenge that would allow me to grow, learn, and enhance my skills. My responsibilities included validating and onboarding equipment, producing an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for a cutting-edge drug aimed at fighting various cancers, and collaborating with a top-notch quality organization to develop a lasting process – or so I believed. Everything changed abruptly in August 2024 when our project was unexpectedly canceled. I was left in complete shock and disbelief, feeling as if all my efforts had been in vain. I was passionate about my job and the skills I had acquired throughout the medical isotope project, only to have it stripped away in an instant. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. While I understand that such upheavals can occur across different industries, you can never anticipate it happening to you. I was reassigned to the production team, but I never quite recovered from that announcement. It felt like I was taking a step back, perhaps even more than one. I respect the production team and their daily contributions, but it simply wasn’t the right fit for me, as I had envisioned a different path for my career. I had spent years as a technician, engaged in routine tasks. Being offered a role where I could develop processes, write documentation, collaborate across departments, and manage projects made me feel like I was truly advancing in my career and discovering a passion in my work.

This series of changes deeply impacted my mental health, ultimately leading me to resign because I felt my skills were underutilized. I found myself placed in a department where I was just another “body” tasked with delivering results. I lost my sense of independence; I was micromanaged and reduced to following orders while producing specified outcomes, making me feel robotic. Consequently, my mental health deteriorated significantly. One crucial lesson I’ve learned over the years is that mental health is paramount in any profession, and no job is worth sacrificing your well-being.I will never sacrifice my mental health for the sake of a company or organization. What value do I bring to any business if my role doesn’t enable me to find happiness in what I do?

Everything I have achieved is a direct result of my hard work, dedication, perseverance, and strong work ethic. This leads me to discuss my current experience as an individual navigating the job market while unemployed. Throughout my career in the United States Army, as well as in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, I have amassed experiences, skills, qualities, and attributes that have allowed me to secure some incredibly rewarding positions.

However, I have noticed that, with certain companies, these experiences, skills, qualities, and traits only carry you so far in the current job market. A significant hurdle I face is that I do not possess a college degree. I often share that I didn’t have the opportunity to attend college immediately after high school. Coming from a challenging background, my parents were unable to set up a college fund or savings for me. While I was a diligent student—ranking in the top 3% of my class of over 3,000 students and achieving high academic honors—attending college right away was a goal of mine. However, I didn't want to incur the debt that many students face in pursuit of a degree, and I had the responsibility to support my family financially, as we weren't well-off.

I mention this not for recognition or pity, but to illustrate the determination and effort that have shaped my journey. After graduating high school, I made the decision to enlist in the United States Army, recognizing it as a pathway to provide for my family while also paving the way for future college opportunities without the burden of financial debt. My military service equipped me with skills and qualities that I carry into nearly all my current roles. I developed leadership abilities, communication proficiencies, and critical thinking skills, among others—skills that have all contributed to my development into the professional I am today.

The application and interview processes can be incredibly stressful, competitive, and, at times, overwhelmingly tedious. What frustrates me the most is applying for positions where I know I possess the necessary skill sets, only to be denied due to what seems to be a simple lack of a college degree. For instance, I have applied for several maintenance management roles and have been rejected because my resume indicates that I am still in the process of earning my degree rather than having completed it.

What about my management experience in the military? I successfully completed two deployments where I was responsible not just for my life but also for the safety and well-being of five other maintenance personnel. Additionally, I have experience maintaining an aircraft valued at $30 million. If I can be trusted to manage a maintenance team in a hostile environment, why shouldn't I be able to manage one in the private sector? Yet, I find myself overlooked simply because I don't meet that one educational requirement. This recurring scenario has become one of the most challenging aspects of navigating my job search.

Don’t misunderstand me—if there are candidates who are more qualified and have more experience, I completely support hiring them over me. However, it is disheartening to see these outcomes even when I am competing against a pool of recent graduates or individuals with less experience than I have. I also want to extend my gratitude to the hiring managers who have taken a chance on me, recognizing the skills and attributes I bring to their organizations despite my lack of a degree. I appreciate those who have granted me the opportunity to interview simply based on my potential.

All I have ever sought is a chance to prove myself. I am confident in my abilities, and I am eager to show businesses what I can offer. I wonder if anyone else has experienced similar situations—do you feel the same way? I'm open to learning, so if anyone out there has tips or ideas about how I can stand out and better market myself, I would greatly appreciate your insights. I have already hired a resume writer, engaged an interview coach, and completed numerous courses to enhance my professional skills.

I am not backing down. As 2024 draws to a close, I feel grateful for where I am today. I am focused on completing my B.S. degree in Organizational Management and actively submitting as many applications as I can. I've had some promising interviews that give me hope for a job offer by the end of January 2025. I wish everyone a blessed and successful new year. Remember to never give up on your dreams and aspirations. Work diligently for what you believe in, and strive to leave the world a little better than you found it.

Thank you for attending my 2024 reflection TED Talk.