Leaving a Job Thoughts
People leave jobs for all sorts of reasons. I’ve been working as an SLP for 12 years now, and have left a job 4 times in my career. Sometimes it was to relocate to a different state and sometimes it was because the current job wasn’t working well anymore. I most recently left my school-based job that I had been at for the past 9 years. It was probably the most difficult decision to make because I had years long relationships with students and families. But the pandemic and having my second baby made things extremely difficult and my mental and physical health were taking a huge hit. So I decided to resign and look for something that would provide a bit more work/life balance.
I want to share my thoughts about leaving a job:
- Change is hard: Anytime you’re facing change, it can be scary. I’m a person who thrives on routine, so change is tough for me.
- Sometimes you have to put YOU first: There is only one you. There is only one mom for my kids. I can’t be a good mom and wife if I’m miserable and burnt out. Sometimes that means making a difficult decision.
- Mental and physical health come first: Personally, the weight of a full time school position was taking a massive toll on my mental and physical health. Our jobs are incredibly hard sometimes. If therapy/medication/self-care isn’t enough, then you need to think very hard about whether the job is worth it.
- Let families know early: You know your families best. I emailed some, called some, and talked to some in person. Leaving kids I had been with for several years was tough. I wanted to let them ask questions and reassure them that their children would still get speech services and that I would miss them.
- Be honest with your employer: I had conversations with my administration and supervisor about my reasons for leaving. I felt it was important that they know the reasons.
Let me know your tips!