turning points
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85146)
Shingle Springs, California
October 28, 2010 2:34pm CST
A turning point is when a very significant change occurs, in your life, your career, a project, etc.
Career-wise, I can think of several turning points in my life.
The first one was when I worked at a stationery store, not sure what I was going to do after college, and he let a friend of mine go. Well she got a job at a mortgage company (we had a mutual friend who was a manager there), and so did I.
Next, after about 7 years there, my job was eliminated, but I had a friend in the IT department who was leaving, and he recommended me for the job. I worked on the help desk for a while, but one of the managers thought I would make a good analyst.
Then, we had several management changes, and we lost several people, and I heard about another company that was hiring at a really good salary. I got a job offer, but then I got a counter offer that was a major pay increase.
After that, the mortgage company was sold, and they completely sold off almost everything, and outsourced the system that I was supporting. So right after I came back from maternity leave with the twins, I got laid off.
At that time, it was hard to get IT people, because companies were still holding on to them due to Y2K, and so I very quickly got a job in the IT department of a Health Insurance company. Somehow I managed to pick up a new line of business, new computer system, new operating system, etc., pretty quickly, and become an expert.
So when my new company outsourced IT, I was in a position to be kept on as a "SME" (subject matter expert). And here I am, on the road that I traveled down due to all those turning points in my past.
Turning points in my personal life, that's another discussion.
What are your turning points? Can you imagine where you'd be today if those things hadn't occurred when they did?
2 people like this
10 responses
@hushi22 (4928)
•
29 Oct 10
The biggest turning point in my life was associated with my first love relationship. It was difficult for me to have one because i live in an overprotective family and perfectionist mom and brothers so more likely i get the best of all the best. but that was the first time that i could say i stood on my decision without their influence, i failed and i recovered. during my down moment i reflected and realized a lot about myself. the break up made me ponder and even more enhance my prioritization in life.
1 person likes this
@lisasmith (22)
• Canada
29 Oct 10
ur right it's ok to make mistakes because you learn more about yourself about along the way and in most cases it only makes you stronger. it's good to hear you've moved on, i can actually relate to you in a way with what i've been through with my ex and still trying to get over it even tho it's been years. eventually i'll get over it and hopefully able to trust enough to love someone again
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Oct 10
That's what mistakes are for, to learn from. And break ups hurt, of course, but hopefully you learned something about yourself and what is and isn't right for you in a future relationship.
@BarBaraPrz (47144)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Oct 10
I'm just going around in circles...
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
29 Oct 10
Hi Dawn
I have had a few Turning points myself in my Life
Specially my Personal Life
Work wise well I started training as a Nurse, I was not strong enough to see People die, so I then got a Check out Job, when I got I married I was not able to drive and where we lived I was not able to get to work so I had to give up the Job, with my Ex Husband being Ex Army we moved a lot, so there was a lot of changes of Jobs for me, then when my Children where old enough I was offered a Job as an Area Manager which I enjoyed for 8 years then the Illness hit me and that is when the biggest turning point happened in my Life but that is another Story
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Oct 10
That last one is a heck of a turning point!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 10
I have so many turning points in my life that landed me in many different careers and business enterprising. In fact I am jack of trade but master of none.
After I left college I had a short stint lecturing in language and shorthand. It didn't last long as I was offered a job as a Personal Assistant to a high profile politician, a career that I cherished most. My boss was holding an important post in the government and being his personal assistant I have the privilege of a VIP treatment where ever I go. I joined my boss entourage on his official travels in my capacity as his assistant. I got to see many places and dine in best restaurants all under the government expenses. I left when he passed away and joined a real estate developers while I establish my restaurants all over the places. At one time I opened four outlets and didn't realized that the work load in running restaurants demands serious commitments as it is a business establishment and just can't rely on others to handle the cash. So I resigned to be a full time businesswoman. I run it for 10 over years before I cease operation as the government has set high levies on foreign workers and wasn't able to cope with so many workers to sponsor. I turned to my family to help in running our lounge/pub and property management. Until now I still manage my family pub and houses for rents in another district. I don't know when I'll call it quits this time around but considering time is running short I am thinking of hanging up the boots and do a bit of travelling before I am too old to move.
After I left college I had a short stint lecturing in language and shorthand. It didn't last long as I was offered a job as a Personal Assistant to a high profile politician, a career that I cherished most. My boss was holding an important post in the government and being his personal assistant I have the privilege of a VIP treatment where ever I go. I joined my boss entourage on his official travels in my capacity as his assistant. I got to see many places and dine in best restaurants all under the government expenses. I left when he passed away and joined a real estate developers while I establish my restaurants all over the places. At one time I opened four outlets and didn't realized that the work load in running restaurants demands serious commitments as it is a business establishment and just can't rely on others to handle the cash. So I resigned to be a full time businesswoman. I run it for 10 over years before I cease operation as the government has set high levies on foreign workers and wasn't able to cope with so many workers to sponsor. I turned to my family to help in running our lounge/pub and property management. Until now I still manage my family pub and houses for rents in another district. I don't know when I'll call it quits this time around but considering time is running short I am thinking of hanging up the boots and do a bit of travelling before I am too old to move. 1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Oct 10
I hope you do get to do some traveling. If you go, what would you like to see the most?
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Oct 10
In my life I would say that the turning points in my career and the turning points in my personal life have pretty much worked hand in hand. I hurt my back at work in 2005 and because of that I was on several medications which led to me getting pregnant and also having a miscarriage. Well, at that point I decided that I didn't want to work in the medical field any longer. So, about six months after I lost the baby I got pregnant again with Paul and when he was born nine months later I decided that I wanted to be a stay at home mother.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Oct 10
A great example of where something bad ends up leading to something good.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
30 Oct 10
Just after we got here, I couldn't find any job just like the cushy job I left back home. After several tries, and giving up, I finally accepted a job as shipper in a small company. I didn't want to do it, but I didn't want to let my family starve. So, in less than a year at that company, the bosses realized I had more meat to me than what I appear to be, so they promoted me to head one of the departments (mind you it was a one-man-department).
Anyway, that position was my jump of point, or turning point on how I got my current job.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
29 Oct 10
Hi dawn, It was nice going through all the different turning points in your life !You seem to have seen a lot in your career.
I too have had many turning points career wise . I worked for a bank for a short time right after I completed my education, but left it for personal reasons, later was a teacher, and then worked for a publishing house and then back as a teacher and tuitions . Anyway no regrets since life has taught me to accept everything that comes and move on with greater strength and determination - all the best and have a great weekend 
I too have had many turning points career wise . I worked for a bank for a short time right after I completed my education, but left it for personal reasons, later was a teacher, and then worked for a publishing house and then back as a teacher and tuitions . Anyway no regrets since life has taught me to accept everything that comes and move on with greater strength and determination - all the best and have a great weekend 1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Oct 10
Wonderful as long as you enjoy what you're doing!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
28 Oct 10
I've had so many turning points, I wouldn't even know where to begin. It probably started when the Army depot (South Dakota) we were being raised on was closed (1965) and my family ended up in New Mexico, where my Dad...and I, eventually...worked for the Department of Army for 30+ years. If we hadn't moved, I may have ended up at the Black Hills Teachers College, which was closest to home, instead of New Mexico State University, which was closest to home. I probably would have ended up a teacher, instead of a Chief, Environmental Services Division. All I know for sure is I'm looking forward to the next turning point. I feel it's begun, but I'm just not sure what it's going to be when all is said and done.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
28 Oct 10
I bet it's warmer in New Mexico. :D
Well I hope it's something awesome,whatever it is!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
28 Oct 10
I was finally entering the point of turning this year whereas my youngest just graduated college. Yeah!! However, I lost my job this year and this is the first time in my life I have ever been unemployed. 
So I have put all future plans on hold for a bit and well let's just say that my unemployment period has made me really think about me now. Any who my wonderful boyfriend (the actor) landed a great job in TN, so we are leaving for almost two months. There after we are thinking about moving to England.
So maybe this is my turning point as ordinarily I would not go anywhere as I was too darn careered minded to go anywhere, so although broke and can;t much, I am however reconsidering a great many things . Hey I do have a point to turn. 
So I have put all future plans on hold for a bit and well let's just say that my unemployment period has made me really think about me now. Any who my wonderful boyfriend (the actor) landed a great job in TN, so we are leaving for almost two months. There after we are thinking about moving to England.
So maybe this is my turning point as ordinarily I would not go anywhere as I was too darn careered minded to go anywhere, so although broke and can;t much, I am however reconsidering a great many things . Hey I do have a point to turn. 1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
28 Oct 10
England is great, I hope you really enjoy it!
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
29 Oct 10
Through my entire childhood I was told by teachers and my mother and sister that I would never be a success. It seemed that people were actually disappointed that I did indeed become a success. Toward the end of my career everyone depended on me!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Oct 10
Good for you that you did become a success though! Don't ever let the downers get you down!
