Lisa's Story

A Year ago, I was physically burnt out and not feeling challenged professionally, so I decided to pacify myself by taking up some new hobbies. Through these activities I reconnected with passions of mine that I had left behind while running my own business. While I was already doing some career exploration on my own, someone I know thought Centerpoint could help me get better focused.

I started my Passion Search with a Centerpoint counselor, doing one-on-one sessions almost weekly. I really enjoyed a lot of the excersises but, at the time, I honestly could not imagine how this was going to get me my "dream job." I plugged along trying not to worry too much about the "how and why" of it all and just followed my intuition.

I came up with a Vision Statement that was so right on and so close to my heart that it brought tears to my eyes when I read it. It felt so right. But I still did not understand what the job itself would look like. My counselor encouraged me not to worry and to keep plugging along in my search, following my intuition. I loved it that we worked not only on the practical path but also on the spiritual path of finding work that I love.

Our weekly meetings always ended with a "to do" list and specific networking practices. I was so connected to my Vision Statement that I was determined to keep networking and building relationships in my new dream field, all the while not knowing where it would end up. At the same time I slowly started talking to my counselor about another big dream of mine: being a mom. Now I really had no idea how this was all going to fit together, but again, she encouraged me not to get caught up in the worry and the "hows." Instead, I rewrote my vision statement to include both my dream jobs.

Through networking I was referred to an organization just ten minutes from home that seemed to match my vision closely. I did an informational interview with one of the employees and continued to build a relationship with her. As I began doing volunteer work with them a few hours a week, I fell more and more in love with the organization. Their mission was amazingly close to my vision.

At the same time, as I was reworking my vision to fit in a baby, I got pregnant! Then after just two months of volunteering with this organization, I got a call from the executive director with a job offer! The offer fit my vision statement and intention to be a mom - exactly. I had to read and reread my vision statement because I was so amazed at how everything - the organization’s mission, the work I would be doing, the hours, the pay, everything - literally fit my vision to a "T"! I was so excited and overwhelmed with feeling of gratitude. I could not believe that I was so lucky to have actually found my "dream job" that also fit with being a mom!

The work I did with Centerpoint really paid off. I have been truly blessed with even more than I had imagined possible!