Once in a while I get to hear a new career story and share it with you on this blog. This is one of those whiles.
I enjoyed talking to Sara so much - and she tells her story so well - that I'm even leaving in her plugs for her favourite brand of soymilk. You'll see why that's an important part of Sara's career story as you read on...
Please tell us your name and where you come from?
My name is Sara Lopez, but most people just call me Lopez. I was born in Miami, Florida but am hanging out in Ohio right now.
What's your job and why do you like it so much?
I’m not really sure what my official title is. Everyone has just started calling me a 'Soy-lebrity' because I am promoting my favorite brand of soymilk (which never ceases to make me giggle). By whatever name though, my job is phenomenal because I believe in everything I am doing.
Have you always had such a passionate relationship with work? What has helped this to change?
I have always been a very driven person. I was raised to believe that if you do something, you should put your all into it. But looking back, I realize I never really knew what it was to be passionate about my job until I had one I cared about so much. I feel like a lot of people are pressured into representing themselves in ways that don’t really portray them. I think I am so happy about my career nowadays because I have become confident and comfortable enough in what I do and who I am.
Like a lot of us, you've had tougher career times, what helped you to stay positive and come through?
Being unemployed was one of the worst experiences I have ever had. I went through depression and self-doubt. But, I am a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason. After an interview I would ask myself, "Did you do the best you could?” If I could answer 'Yes' to that question it meant I had done all I could do. This helped me learn not take things personally and to stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. Tough times will get better and without those tough times, the good times wouldn’t feel nearly as good. If you can remember your traits, your ambition, and your worth; it's only a matter of time until an employer recognizes and appreciates you for all the same things.
What other 'figuring out' helped you see your career in a new way? What change did people notice in you afterwards?
Being such a huge fan of social media, when social networking sites were starting to get attention, I knew how to navigate through them and adapt to new ones with ease. As Twitter and other sites started getting larger and more popular, I started to realize that marketing and promoting was no longer one-way communication, but instead two-way communication that involved listening, responding and interacting with potential customers.
After being hired by 8th Continent Soymilk everyone in my life saw my energy change. I am excited every day about the challenges and opportunities my job presents. From meeting new people, to learning new things, I can’t imagine a more enjoyable way to spend my day! When you have a job you enjoy, your outlook morphs into something so positive and so refreshing that people want to get to know you.
Sara Lopez, half-way through answering these questions for you
Do you have a role model or someone whose career inspires you?
I have a ton of inspirational people in my life but I would say my mother is a huge driving factor. She has always wanted to learn more, and never settles. Learning this habit from my Mom has motivated me to stay in front of the trending tools in my field and as they change and make sure I was learning and changing too.
What's the best piece of career advice anyone ever gave you?
There will always be opportunities to succeed. If one isn’t sitting there for you, invent it!
If your career story could inspire just one thing in other people, what would it be?
Be true to yourself. This is the only way you will ever find a career that makes you feel happy and accomplished.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years time?
In five years time, I will still be doing social media and drinking 8th Continent Soymilk- probably at the same time!
Thank you Sara for answering these questions on work/life fusion and for sharing your career story with us.
You can ask Sara a question by commenting below. Alternatively, you might like to share a career experience or ask a new question of your own. You can do this either by commenting or by sending an email to worklifefusion(at)googlemail(dot)com.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you'd like to follow Sara and see where her career goes from here, find her online at:
http://facebook.com/8clopez
http://twitter.com/8thlopez
http://8cpassport.com
All the best for now,
Paul
