The Power of LinkedIn

Candice Quirk, April 5, 2021

I opted out of the workforce in 2019 to complete my dream of earning a master’s degree and spending additional time with my young sons before they started elementary school. I have always enjoyed school and wanted my own homework before my kids had theirs.

It was an unconventional and difficult decision. I had worked on the Ford business at GTB (a WPP advertising agency) for 12 years. I was born and raised in the Detroit area and loved the Ford brand. My clients and coworkers were like family. But change was written on my heart. I had the fortuitous opportunity to hear Lisen Stromberg speak at a work event and after reading her book, "Work Pause Thrive" and working out ALL the logistics, I took the plunge and enrolled with my undergrad alma mater, Central Michigan University.

I enjoyed my studies and knew that it was a tremendous privilege to learn and research while spending more time with my kids. I finished my capstone project (childcare & its providers as essential U.S. infrastructure) in August 2020, the same day my kindergartner brought home his first official homework assignment after returning to in-person learning.

Just like so many things for so many people during this pandemic, earning my degree while homeschooling children and subsequently job searching, as a mom who has opted out of the workforce, has been a challenge unlike any that I would have predicted prior to COVID. So I took advantage of almost every job search program I encountered, including The Mom Project’s #RallyProgram which paired me with an amazing “booster,” Kathi James, who introduced me to her network. I took Olivia Jaras’ LinkedIn Challenge. I joined CXPA, PMI & PMI Toastmasters networking events and an amazing Facebook networking group, Marketing & Communications Women of Atlanta. Many of you in my network were also spread thin during this pandemic, but so gracious to chat, email, text, discuss your company, offer a referral, serve as a reference or connect me with a friend or former colleague. I explored every opportunity and faced every rejection that comes with a job hunt.

Ultimately, it was a LinkedIn post of a longtime friend (we interned together during the college days!) that led me to an amazing opportunity. I cannot thank Vikki Danielson enough for referring me to Acceleration Partners! I am so humbled and grateful to start this month with a leader in affiliate marketing who embraces lifelong learning, development and the perspective that parents bring to the workforce.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone and every organization in my network who helped during this process. Thank you to my sons' teachers and school who are on the front lines, teaching during a pandemic so parents who work outside the home can do just that. Thank you to my village of friends and family who have encouraged me, especially my husband and kids. Thank you to my former clients and coworkers for all you have taught me. Thank you to Acceleration Partners for hiring me.

I have a renewed appreciation for the power of LinkedIn and my network, and I can only hope to help be a connector anytime those in my network may need it!