Be in a Transitional Mode Permanently and Find Your Inspiring Job
by Joana Visa Ph.D., ACC, CAE, CPTC
Coach and Founder 35+Executive Women Coach
Can you say that you grow and learn every day? Do you have a strong network? Are you visible? Can you cope with gender-fair situations and lead amazing projects? Do you have an inspiring job? My answer to all of these is a big YES, and I would like to share my insights with you.
Learning and working hard as my path to freedom
Childhood and Teenage years
Reflecting on my childhood in Barcelona (I was born in 1966) and during my teenage years, working and studying hard, and harder when needed, was my only path to freedom.
I was born into a family with three brothers and I did not fit in. I realized soon that the main rule in our home was simple: if your school reports are good, you can do as you wish. Got it. I decided that I will have a very good report and then I will be able to choose and do what I please. It was a nice plan until I found out that ‘ladies’ don’t get the same rules. I’ve realized that despite always having better reports than my brothers, I still had to behave like a ‘lady.’ Meaning – I still couldn’t make the same choices as they could.
At University
In 1984, at the age of 17, it was time for me to decide the course I was going to get my degree. I chose the Veterinarian school. Why? Because in the year that I chose it, there were no Veterinarian schools in Barcelona and I would have to move 400 km away. Fantastic. I ‘had to’ move to another city, meet people, be on my own, and do as I wish.
The decision was made. I would ‘have to’ go to the North of Spain to attend Veterinarian School. But, alas, it was not meant to be this way. The year before I applied, a new veterinarian school was built in Barcelona, only 25 km away from my home. Only 25 km! And I have to stay at home. For five years I studied harder than others. It was my only path to freedom.
Learn and Jump
First Jump: Biomedical Research
I applied to do my Ph.D. in the same veterinarian school I’ve studied before. A topic for my thesis was decided (Parasitic illness in dogs), but after a year my PhD director called me to his office and wanted me to change not only the topic of my thesis but also my PhD director. I said yes. I most probably did not even have another option, but I didn’t really care. I wanted to take the risk, so I said that it would be great to move to another topic.
The average time needed for doing a thesis is about 5 to 6 years, I did it in 4. I defended my thesis in 1994. My first son decided to be born one month before his time, so I defended my thesis just after I gave birth.
I had three kids in three years. Even while raising small children, I still was hungry for knowledge, and I needed more. After my second child was born, my contract expired and it was not renewed. I stayed, against my will, without a job for 6 months. What did I do? I enrolled in a university for a six months program related to safety and public health. I did not like it. This was not what I wanted. After these six months, I was hired again.
I wanted to do more biomedical research. My goal was to climb further in my professional career. I wanted to explore science.
Second Jump: Managerial Role
Next to my office, at the Veterinarian School, there was another door. Have you seen the movie Monster Inc.? If you’ve seen it, there is this place where thousands of doors are waiting to be opened for Sullivan, the huge monster, to open each door and scare the children. I had the same experience: I opened this door, and I met my mentor.
I went to the Netherlands to have a formal education as an animal welfare specialist. I applied for a new job – veterinarian in charge of an animal facility at a Cancer Institute. I jumped my professional curve again. This was the first time that I had some managerial responsibilities. I had to manage a team and I was a researcher too. I loved it. First, I got my new credentials; then I got my new job. Learn and jump. Learn and jump.
I began to build my “value model”. How can I jump frequently? I had to be in a transitional mode permanently. I wanted to be part of the community of freelance women. I’ve realized that what I need is to follow some basic steps: build my foundation (Who I am and What I want), accelerate my progress (networking, visibility, unleash my potential), and then jump to find a job that inspires me.
Third Jump: Executive
When I was around 40, I felt the need to move in the direction of quality assessment and legal compliance, so I got my third master’s degree and became a Master of Quality Management. I had acquired new knowledge, and a new door was ready to be opened as I was offered the position of the Quality Director of the Biomedical Institute.
Fourth Jump: Entrepreneur
In 2016, my kids were young adults and they were still living with me. I was happy with this. In fact, I was more than happy.
When I was getting my master’s degree in Brussels to improve my executive skills, I met a German lady who lived there and worked for a non-profit association. “Do you know what is a coach, Joana?” she said. Subsequently, in 2017 we built a coaching company together. I become an entrepreneur when I crossed 50.
This is where I am now. At the second launch of our coaching company. I feel proud of the kind of life that I have built. I jumped the curve several times. I am a freelancer and I am a woman. I have been always in a transitional mode to find my inspiring job.
Get inspired and find an inspiring job for yourself
I am still applying my own model. I will keep my life balanced, look for new challenges, look for new connections, lead outstanding projects, and find an inspiring job. If the job that I find is not exciting enough, I will look for new knowledge and begin to look for a new job again.
Before I retire, I will jump again. I do not know what I am going to do, but I know how. A new learning is waiting for me. Another door is waiting to be opened by me.
I want my story to inspire you and give you tools and tips which you can apply in your own life to take your career to the next level.
I wish you always find your inspiring job! As for me, I am always ready to learn, grow, and jump to find and have it.
My Contact Details
Joana Visa PhD, CAE, ACC
Coach, Founder
35+Executive Women Coaching
joanavisa@35ewc.com