This past summer, I was promoted to be a Sales Manager -it’s a target I had set for 2017.
I was so thrilled to get this opportunity! It allows me to build up a rapport with the clients face to face and travel internationally to bring business to our hotels all over the world.
However, last October I was told I would not be allowed to work beginning next March!
It’s a complicated immigrant visa issue.
I have been working as a J2 spouse visa holder since my husband was hired by his company – a research lab. But his visa status will change soon from a J2, the exchange visitor, to H1B the working visa.
My company won’t apply for the same working visa for me.
It will take too long, at least six months.
But I could wait to receive my green card – and that could take a year.
It hit me very hard.
I had so many plans to achieve more and get myself to the next level.
I never planned to take a break, certainly not like this.
I’d put so much effort to hit my goal during the past two years after I moved to America. It’s like things are just beginning to turn better but suddenly, they have to end abruptly.
I felt like I was punched in the stomach, and fell to the bottom of a dark sea.
It took me a while to process what’s just happened to me, to overcome self-pity and put my worry to rest.
I thought of an old Chinese saying ““船到桥头自然直“ – It’s the Chinese equivalent of the American saying – You will cross the bridge when you come to it.
Maybe, I’ve activated my inner defense and survivor instinct.
I finally found my peace.
I now see it as a temporary roadblock in my career life.
I am blessed to have all the support from my family, friends and my colleagues.
Everyone encourages me to take the time to do something I always wanted but have no time to do, like traveling, going back home to spend some quality time with my parents, after I left for 10 years.
I have dusted myself off also because I realize that I have quickly adapted to my new job responsibilities and I feel confident about what I am doing.
I have met people and built up some connections which means they might help me when I reenter the job market in a year.
Believe or not, I feel that this major setback has actually changed my perspective on life.
I have always felt unsettled and anxious, and always wanted to prove myself and nervously took my job very seriously.
I won’t regret my past.
But now, it’s time to see things through a longer lens, and make some adjustments.
I have decided to set a bigger goal – to be a resilient person to embrace the uncertainties of life and to experience the ups and downs with an open mind.
I do not want to be blindly optimistic about my future but be confident.
I believe my abilities to overcome setbacks, won’t leave me no matter what my job status, or how people see me.
They say everything happens for a reason.
That reminds me of who I truly am, and not to lose sight about what really matters in life.