Navigating Career Transitions and Job Frustrations Calls for Us to Go Back to Our Roots

US Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that approximately 629,000 Black women are actively unemployed and looking for work. That figure does not include those who are underemployed. Then there are those who are employed but dealing with frustrations at work, whether it’s a difficult boss, heavy workload, or toxic environment.

These are concerning times for sure. It is in seasons like these that require us to get creative.

After the Reconstruction era, Black women were relegated to perform menial tasks such as caretakers, janitors, and maids. Our ancestors tapped into their creativity and created their own careers by styling hair in Black-owned beauty salons and selling candy and household items in their communities. I believe now is the time for us to tap into our creativity once again as we move ourselves out of these boxes.

 Here are a few questions to ask yourself to get started:

What skills do I have that I can source to other companies in exchange for pay as a 1099?

What companies or individuals can use my skill set?

What business groups can I join to introduce potential clients to my skills?

How can I utilize social media to help me identify my next opportunity?

What is work I’ve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to do?

What type of work will allow me to prioritize my mental well-being and show up as my authentic self?

What networks can I tap into to help me determine how to take next steps ?

What impact would I like to make?