Resume Building

As I'm stuck in traffic this morning on my way to work I'm a little frustrated that I'm running late for a workshop with Oracle that's starting at 8:30. Then I remember that no one in the Arab world is ever on time so I'm not going to stress about being late. Instead I decide to enjoy being driven to work, take the time in traffic to add to my gratitude journal, and reflect on how awesome it is that I get to do something most women don't.

I definitely wouldn't be working if it wasn't for my boss who created my position for me and fought hard to get funding for me. How's that for feeling valued?? And my male colleagues are some of the kindest and thoughtful individuals I've ever met. Even with being a newbie to the market, they're constantly asking for my input and wanting to learn from me. We've got a lot of projects in the works so they can develop their skill set and we can grow the clients' business. I'm excited to be part of it!

Although I'm busy, the expectations of working women are different. These guys work hard, easily putting in 12-14 hour days and often coming in on the weekends. I on the other hand have much more of a work-life balance, keeping 9-5 hours. I don't have a work phone, nor do I check email outside of work hours. And everyone knows a car is waiting for me at 5 o'clock. Oh and they're thrilled that I'm taking Arabic classes so they have no problem with me working from home on the days I have class. I suppose it is a bit sexist that there are lower expectations for me as a woman, but I have to admit that this is a welcome change of pace. 

As you know there is only one other woman who works for Publicis here in Riyadh, and a fellow Wolverine at that (sorry, I had to drop that again!). I haven't mentioned this before, but even among the diplomat wives working is a rarity. It's not because they don't want to. It's just so difficult to get a job here. If they are employed they typically work at the Embassy. Those jobs are few and far between though and take forever to be hired into due to security clearances that need to be done. It can take months to a year. 

I think I wrote previously that the US doesn't have a bilateral work agreement with KSA, meaning that Americans here on a diplomatic visa (like myself) aren't allowed to work on the local economy unless they give up their diplomatic status, which isn't ideal. I didn't have to give up mine because technically I got hired through our regional office in Dubai. A wonderful loophole that makes me a unicorn within the Embassy community. I only know of two other women who work outside of the Embassy. One is a lawyer and the other is a teacher at an international school. I know many women who are skilled professionals - nurses, lawyers, teachers, financial analysts - and they aren't able to work. As rewarding as taking care of children can be, these are women who want a fulfilling career and to financially contribute to their family as well. 

This is something I'm a little self conscious about because I know how many women would like to be working so I don't really don't talk about my job unless someone asks me. When I do tell people that I work on the local economy they are in awe and want to know how I did it. Even J's coworkers think it's awesome that I work outside and get to leave the DQ most days.

The fact of the matter is that I did nothing special to get this job. Well, I suppose I was tenacious about working and didn't let this country's religious conservative vibe intimidate me. Fortunately, I work for a company that has offices all over the world and get to work with a group of kind and hardworking people that I enjoy spending my days with. For both of these I'm immensely grateful.  At this point in my career, and our Arabian adventure, there isn't anything else could I ask for so I make sure to thank God every day for this resume building experience. 

The Path That Led Here

In my career I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a number of global brands that have given me the opportunity to learn about advertising and marketing in other parts of the world and exposure to places I might never visit. In May 2013, I worked on a new business pitch for Chanel that took me to Paris. It was crazy and stressful, but I always look back on it fondly. I made connections with senior leadership in our company that I never would have otherwise and was able to be part of the pitch presentation team. What a career confidence building experience! Unfortunately we didn’t win the business, but had we won I would have moved to Paris to work on the global team. Amazing, right?

Funny thing is at that point in my life I had no desire to live abroad again. I had already lived in London and came back to really fall in love with Chicago. I was able to get home to Michigan to see family frequently, I had a great group of friends/support system, a nice disposable income to do what I pleased, and I enjoyed the work I was doing. The only thing missing in my life was someone to share it with.

Admittedly, I was kind of relieved when we didn’t win. I wouldn’t have to grapple with a decision and feel like I was sacrificing myself for the company or feel guilty that I was giving up a once in a lifetime opportunity. In my mind, I wouldn’t have the time or the opportunity to meet anyone if I was bouncing around the globe and working ridiculous hours on a new piece of business. I wanted to stay put in Chicago and see who might come my way.

Soon after the loss my boss came to me with a potential opportunity to move to Buenos Aries. I didn’t tell him no, as I knew it was a long shot since my Spanish isn’t good enough to be leading a client team in-country. And when he came to me again a week later with an another opportunity to move to Dubai I just flat out told him, as much as I appreciated I being considered, to please stop mentioning my name for these positions. He was surprised, knowing my love of working on global accounts. He thought this would make up for us not winning Chanel. Only once before this conversation had I ever opened up to a superior, but I felt I owed it to him to be honest about what I wanted in my career and personal life. He completely understood. To this day he is still one of my favorite bosses.

And then few days later that June I ran the life changing Ragnar Relay where I met J. Weeks after we started dating in July he got his offer with the State Department and then moved to Virginia in September. Surely his career would require that he work at a US Embassy somewhere else in the world and I knew I would make that journey with him. Naturally, the universe was pulling me out the US, again. Knowing he was just starting this new career, I let him take the lead on where. My only stipulation was, and still is, that there be a Starcom or Publicis office at any potential post location so I can continue working. We'll see what options we have for our next post. :) 

I do believe we all have a path, but we can alter the path with our action or inaction. I also believe with faith, open-mindedness, getting outside of our comfort-zone, and positivity that greater opportunities will present themselves on our path. So many events happened in my life before I met J that prepared me for where I currently am and for that path I'm grateful. 

And so begins my gratitude journal...