Coffee Break: You are not a failure.

Good morning everyone and welcome back to the Breakroom! So I decided not to do a full Breakdown this week, I intend on trying to get an extra one this week but I still wanted to post because I have a lot of thoughts going on that I really wanted to share with my reader.

I contemplated putting this is a podcast to celebrate with our official launch from last week but I didn’t want it to feel rushed. Last week our pilot was absolutely meant to be our rough draft as we learn what not only works for our material and format, but also the process of learning the recording tools as I am teaching myself as we go along. We wanted to have it launched in time for Excalibur Con 2025 (which exceeded all projections and kicked ass) but now we will be conforming to a proper schedule which does involve having episodes already banked to maintain that ability.

For those interested in hearing our podcast you can find it at the following locations (and more):

Breakroom Breakdown Blog: https://breakroombreakdown.blog/2025/08/14/the-office-s1e1-pilot/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/546RYYNjZoEIMIM5sxGv9N

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/380135a2-32e4-40dd-9e07-d13bd8c061c0/breakroom-breakdown

What I wanted to use this post today as part of a Coffee Break is to talk about that thing that are never meant to talk about, and that is how it feels like we must have a roadmap for our entire professional lives already figured out. And if something goes wrong we feel like we shouldn’t complain about it because it is likely our fault because we are not working hard enough. As my reader might remember I got my MBA degree four years ago and have been attempting to grow my career using it, focused on human resources as that is where I currently work and it seems like a reliable industry that is always around. Four years later and hundreds (literally) jobs applied for I can actually count the number of interviews I’ve reviewed on my hands. I know I am not alone, this is happening to so many individuals out there who were taught that if you get a degree, the rest of your professional future will fall into place. But that is no longer the reality and instead we feel like we are applying for jobs into black holes as we do not hear back, we see “over 100 applied” and question what is even the point, we meet all of the qualifications in the job posting and are then told we lack “vision” or “clarity” in how we meet those qualities. And instead of a problem with the system that is corporate America or placing the blame on how these companies conduct business, we are made to feel like we are not trying hard enough. We are told that your degree is good but you should be taking these seminars, getting fancy certifications, and then find ways to get experience but unfortunately since you need experience simply to get a job you will just need to find unpaid ways to get that experience. And I want to say the quiet part outload for everyone and that is I am exhausted, broken, defeated, and consistently feel like just crumbling because it all seems useless.

After applying to a Human Resources job (which would be a good transition up from my current position) almost a month ago, I finally go the call that I have an interview this next week. On the one hand I was excited to finally potentially have a chance to grow; oddly enough it actually came about three hours after I reached out to a friend explaining I am ready to call it quits on Human Resources and I want to transition into an Analyst position. The old me would have been eager to write of the Analyst goal because this is now my chance and then get overly eager and then devastated that I do not get it. What is the new me doing? I am not going to sweat this interview, I will still study (as I always do) but I preparing the mindset that if they choose to go elsewhere, they didn’t deserve me in the first place. I hate that we have to plan our professional futures so carefully because we can no longer simply get a job and then work our way up with experience and remaining in the same country. So I plan on upskilling and finding out how I can perhaps pivot into a different field that can better use my skills and perhaps I’ll actually find more satisfaction instead of consistently being told I am just not good enough.

To those young professionals reading this, it sucks that the world expects you to have an elaborate plan starting from 18 right up until retirement but that is the world we live in. So what advice can I give you?

1. Learn your strengths. A few years ago my husband, while training to be a coach, had me take a CliftonStrengths assessment to evaluate my strengths. It is consists of 34 strengths that we all possess but we use differently and in various frequency and effectiveness. My top strength was Intellection which means I am an information gather, I make decisions and problem solve using as much information as I can attain in order to make an informed determination. When working with a coach, they would then go through such an assessment with you and help take this information and put it into real world scenarios and how you can use it to achieve your goals.
2. Life never goes the way you expect it to. I have worked in numerous jobs and always thought that I found my niche, but something changes and I learn to adapt and change. At 35 I have learned that no matter how much I plan I know I cannot guarantee what the future brings, all I can do is do my best to be prepared.
3. Build a support system. As much as it can hurt to have to admit to your friends or family that you are struggling to grow professionally or just find out what to do, find people who can support you. My husband has always had my back, and I mentioned that friend of mine is going to give me some professional advise and insight on what I can do to grow. I know it feels embarrassing to admit we need help but I think it is crucial to break this stigma where we feel like it is all our fault we cannot succeed despite having followed all of the “rules” we were given growing up.
4. Upskill and grow. I wish college was enough but while I have a great deal of knowledge and great soft skills, it is the hard skills I need. Soft skills refers to traits like customer service, analytical thinking and even problem solving. Think of them as personality traits that make you a good employee. Hard skills, however, are actual abilities that can be measurable and can typically be learned while soft skills very often are tied to your personality. Examples can be knowing multiple languages, proficiency with specific software, perhaps understanding accounting principles. Once you have an idea of the type of line of work you want to go into, rather than thinking you can be trained at the job you should start figuring out what skills you already have, what should you get, and find means of learning them.
5. Don’t give up, and do not blame yourself. It is very hypocritical of me to try and tell you to not feel depressed and like a failure that you feel you wasted four years of your life only to now pivot to a new industry, but you are not a failure. The business world is cruel, unnecessarily difficult, and quite simply sucks when you are likely just looking for a job to keep your roof over your head. Do not give up on yourself and do not think of yourself as a failure. Reach out to a recruitment company, check with your friends to see if they know who is hiring, trying to find Youtube videos teaching you how to use Excel. It is not over until you truly have exhausted every avenue and given up and I don’t believe that should ever happen. You could even message here and I could get you in touch with my husband and his coach expertise so there is always something else.

I have gotten very open and honest here and that is because besides the fact that I needed to get this off my chest, I know there are others out there feeling the exact same and I want you to know you are not alone. For those struggling or who have struggled, please reach out and let your fellow reader(s) know so we can support each other. Thank you all for listening (reading) and I hope you all have a fantastic Friday, a great weekend, and be sure to say hi the next time you see me around the Breakroom.