I am beyond thrilled to share that I just landed a new job! After leaving my kitchen management position of six years in late June, I took a leap of faith to return to the service industry as a full-time bartender/waitress. My previous job was exhausting, with 10+ hour shifts and over 16,000 steps a day, not to mention the constant battles over basic hygiene with younger staff. I was earning $23/hr doing something I dreaded, and I felt trapped. Finally, I decided enough was enough and made the switch, but my first attempt at a service job fell through after just one shift. For about 2.5 months, I lived off my savings while applying and interviewing everywhere. I faced a lot of challenges with poorly managed businesses and frustrating experiences. Eventually, I applied for a corporate banking position, despite having no prior banking experience. I went through a rigorous four-part interview process, and yesterday, I received an offer! They even increased the pay to $31/hour because they were impressed with my interview performance. Now, I won’t have to work nights, weekends, or holidays, and I’m free from managing adults or dealing with the mess of a kitchen. I feel like I’ve not only secured a job but a career with plenty of growth potential. I was worried about losing everything I had worked for, but it seems like this is just the beginning of something great!