Holidays and the Job Hunt
By: Dr. Cybele Wu
Tags: Job Search, Caregiving, UX, Holidays, Telehealth

Christmas 2019, Maine

I am a family caregiver. It is an unpaid 24/7 position. The benefits are that I get to help my dad, even when he doesn’t ask for it. 9 years ago I moved from Northern Virginia back to my home in Roanoke, VA as a result of my divorce. Little did I know about my father’s condition. It has been a roller-coaster of emotions and challenges. We have tried so many different things with him from traditional medicine to alternative and everything in between.

During the time that I have lived with them, I have completed a second Masters (in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), a doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education, with a dissertation on the efficacy of Telepractice, but still had difficulty finding the right job. As I learned last year in my job search, this is the worst time of year to look for a job. Most employers are not hiring, as they have budget constraints. And this year is even more difficult, as there is an increased number of unemployed, as a result of the pandemic. Although I started the pandemic crying….and still go through points where I just cry, I am working on staying positive, as I know there is a light at the end of this tunnel that will provide the future that I am dreaming of. When the pandemic started, or actually before that, I wasn’t sure about my next career. I knew I needed to increase my technical skills but wasn’t sure how. I worked with a career coach, a friend with a background in HR. They both suggested UX. I did searches for qualitative research and every time, UX would come up. Then the pandemic hit and through a couple of searches, I found Springboard, a UX/UI bootcamp that was completely online.

Since beginning the bootcamp, I have learned a variety of skills from secondary research, affinity maps, wireframes, usability testing to just name a few. I have learned how to use Sketch and Figma. I have now have completed three projects, with one left. As I move towards the finish line, I realize the urgency of looking for a job. Last year when I was looking, I did very little networking but now I see just how important it is, especially now in the midst of a pandemic. If I am going to succeed, and find my dream job, I need to find the right people, and the right companies. So, rather than just applying to job, I am finding more creative ways of networking and finding companies. I can’t say what this next year will be but, but I am sure I will give it all that I have to find the right people to help me.

I have over 20 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language. When I walked away from it, I didn’t think I would come back to it. However, this is a different year. I have no income coming in. So, I decided to teach again and am teaching with Cambly. It doesn’t pay much but I get paid every week and I am able to learn from the experiences of my students around the world and how they are dealing with the pandemic. I am blessed to have this opportunity.

My dad is important to me and every important career decision was inspired by him. I chose my dissertation topic as I thought maybe in some way it would help him. My first capstone project was a mobility equipment app, also inspired by my experiences as a caregiver, caring for him. During this time of the holidays during a pandemic, I can’t help but think of how it affects him. He was always an active, kind man, who loves his family. This year, although he will spend it with his daughter and wife, he won’t be able to spend it with his son and family. Even though he is non-verbal, I know he feels the pain and difficulty and realizes that we aren’t packing to drive to Maine.

I don’t know yet what company or area I will be in in my next career, but I know my dad will inspire my decision. It is because of him that I am interested in using technology to make healthcare better, whether it be related to caregiving, aging, Telehealth, or an area I have yet to discover.

As a final note, use every resource you have to succeed in this upcoming year, whether it be at the job search or another area of your life. Love your family and friends and stay safe during this holiday season.