_CaptainAmerica__'s journey

I recently started exploring new job opportunities as I'm looking to transition out of my current role in customer service. My background is a bit unconventional; I initially pursued an associate's degree in biotechnology right after high school but had to drop out due to some personal circumstances. Now, I'm a year into working towards a bachelor's degree in business, which I find much more aligned with my interests and career goals. I'm currently navigating how to explain my switch in majors to recruiters and hiring managers. I attended a job fair where I received advice on how to present my education on my resume. They suggested I include both my current studies and my completed first year in biotechnology to avoid any gaps in my education history. However, I'm concerned about the inevitable questions regarding my major switch and the year I spent out of school. The reality is that my neurodivergency made it challenging for me to continue in the STEM field, and after a medical emergency, I found myself without a job or formal education. I took a customer service position because it was the only desk job available to me at the time, and now that I have some job security, I’ve enrolled in remote classes for my business degree. I chose this path because it allows me to study from home and pursue a corporate job that isn't in customer service. I want to present my story in a way that's appealing to potential employers without delving into the more personal struggles I've faced. I'm finding it difficult to express that my passion for business is what drove my decision to switch majors, rather than the challenges I encountered in biotech. If anyone has tips on how to frame this narrative positively during interviews, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I recently started my first corporate job after leaving retail due to chronic pain. Unfortunately, the company I work for has a pretty bad public image, which makes me anxious about my future job prospects once I finish school this September. I know that many people might judge me for working at a company with a shady reputation, and I worry that my resume will be filtered out because of it. I’m trying to figure out how to present my experience in a way that highlights my skills and what I learned, without drawing too much attention to the negative aspects of the company. If I make it to an interview, I fear that the hiring manager's personal experiences with my current employer could affect their perception of me. I want to be honest about my journey but also steer the conversation towards my strengths and what I can bring to a new role. It’s a tough situation, but I’m determined to navigate it as best I can.