I have faced two layoffs in less than five years while working in the higher education sector. The first layoff occurred in 2022 at a for-profit university, which was attributed to the impacts of COVID-19. Most recently, I was laid off from a public state university just three weeks ago. These experiences have prompted me to rethink my career trajectory and consider opportunities outside of higher education. Although I am a certified teacher, I have no desire to return to full-time teaching. After trying my hand at substitute teaching for the past few weeks, I realized it’s not the right long-term fit for me. I'm now actively seeking a career pivot and have an interview lined up for a non-profit role on Monday, fingers crossed!