Don't know where to start.
Evelyn M. on August 25, 2024
Career Change, Career Management, Image/Professionalism, Interviewing, Job Search, Resume Building and Writing, Work/Life/Cancer Balance, Workplace Politics
Hello, I feel very confused, but I need to go back to work, improve my income, I know this will include a change in the job I was doing before I got my diagnose of a very rare type of cancer. Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma which only one in a million people get it. I am divorced. when I was diagnosed I had only had been back to work for 4 years, after being a stay home mom, so that makes me not eligible for any type of disability with the government. At the moment I am in Long term Disability, I finished my chemo in November 2023, I am under hormone replacement therapy, still have side effects from treatment. I've been living from my savings, I have two college students. who are my support, and my care givers. they are wonderful human beings. They have been through a lot. last year I had a surgery, with complications and I ended in the ICU for a week, they were there every minute to support me and take care of me. I am Colombian, I relocated to USA in 2016 due to my ex-husband's job, so I have little experience in working here in USA. I am and Industrial Designer, in Colombia I worked designing packaging. At the moment I found a job at a bank, they trained me and gave me a job as a bank teller, Before that I had no financial experience. At that job I was told every day I was not good at it, even though I was highly precise in my transactions. While working there I got sick, and then I was not as fast, strong, etc. I've been developing a custom card design business, I am developing a web page with another designer, you could look at my designs at @evelynmolinacards so that you can see what my passion is. I would love to develop that, during this time I have been studying to get a real state license, and I've been looking at the available positions of the bank, my problem there is that the income that I used to make is not enough, also my ex-husband will stop paying my alimony, it was a big help to pay bills.
So I would like to get help with career coaching, training, linked in, interviews, writing my interviews. I also want to understand better what are my rights at work, I did have a very difficult time addressing my condition with my manager, so I had to escalate that, because I had problems to go to my medical appointments and the time I needed to rest due to the chemo treatment during my work day. This company does have good benefits, i am thankful for it, because that is how I was able to pay for my treatment. Please I need help. Kind Regards.
4 Comments
Nicole Jarvis, LMSW
Aug 29, 2024
Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:
Hello Evelyn,
Thank you for reaching out to Cancer and Careers. I saw that you submitted your resume to our Resume Review Service, so you’ve taken a good first step!
It certainly sounds like you have a lot going on and so I think first it would be best to create an action plan for yourself. When there are so many moving parts, it can get overwhelming and you may feel defeated. Breaking the process down into smaller pieces can help everything feel just a little more manageable. It sounds like there are a number of different directions you might be interested in – custom cards, real estate, banking – so I would recommend creating an approach for all three and seeing what may pan out first. This could mean updating resumes for each of those industries, networking with others in those industries, and certainly strengthening your LinkedIn profile and presence. Here are a few resources that you may find helpful:
I hope some of the resources above are helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to cancerandcareers@cew.org if you have any remaining questions or would like more information.
Sincerely,
Nicole Jarvis, LMSW
Assistant Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers
Evelyn M.
Oct 26, 2024
Good Morning Nicole
I wanted to Thank you, for your time to answer my concerns, I am listening each one, they are very helpful.
Have a beautiful day.
Gina M.
Apr 5, 2025
Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2024, did surgery, radiation therapy and i am now doing hormone therapy. I scheduled the therapy sessions for afternoons after my teaching days. It has been a physically rigorous schedule. I am completing a second academic
year teaching middle school in New York fresh after teaching high school for 30 years in my mother land, Jamaica. Holding on by the finger nails for the conclusion of the school year 😂 and looking forward to new adventures. I am admittedly at a cross roads experience and seeking some guidance as to what direction would be the best for fulfilling my purpose.
Warmest
Gina.
Nicole Jarvis, LMSW
Apr 8, 2025
Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:
Hi Gina,
Thanks for submitting your comment! I’ll start off by commending you on your ability to get treatment while continuing to work, at a middle school no less! No easy feat 😊 So hanging on by your fingernails or not, you’re doing something extremely challenging. I suppose I have a few questions for you before I feel confident in providing you specific guidance. Are you looking to change roles? You say you’re at a crossroads – how do you mean? Are you considering a new field? A new position within academia?
I think it’d be best for us to chat via phone so I can get a bit more details regarding your circumstances in order to make sure I’m giving you the most relevant information. Please reach out to cancerandcareers@cew.org to set up a time for us to speak!
Warm regards,
Nicole Jarvis, LMSW
Assistant Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers
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