All year round, while many of our followers and readers were cooling off with our memes and weekly career stories, they had a lot going on in their work lives. I know this because I recently reached out to a couple of them to share their 2022 work-life stories and the responses are a mix of all possible emotions.
The dwindling economy was a thing; from the startup crisis affecting employees to the massive Japa syndrome, 2022 was a lot. But even outside the workplace, there have been the good, the bad, and the ugly, making the year one to reflect on and just go…
Before the new year jumps in and resolutions begin to fly around journals, it’s necessary to pause and reflect on the year; the ups and downs to make better decisions for the coming year. So, I had a chat with five of our followers, and here’s what they have to say about their career lives in 2022:
“2022; Plenty of Bathroom Crying” –@Merit
Omo, wins dey o. Plenty of bathroom crying. Panic attacks. Plenty of bathroom tears again. Promotion. Joined a new team. Skilled up. 2022 was the year and 2023 will be that year.
PS: Careerbuddy musing was a fave!
I’m one of the few Nigerians who actually love their job and can’t wait for January!” – @Pase
I’m Pase. A Corporate Lawyer in Lagos, Nigeria
2022 was a year of ups and downs. I moved to Lagos two months ago because I got a new job. The first few months of 2022 were hard; navigating through Lagos traffic each day which I wasn’t used to as a PH Babe or an ex-PH babe, trying to meet deadlines, and dealing with Lagos House agents because I needed to find the perfect apartment was not all rosy.
Fast forward to May; that’s when the fun began. Work became less stressful and I had enough time for myself. I started taking my professional exam to become a certified HR. I practically went out every weekend; I mean, it was a chill period.
I should have known it wouldn’t last forever because July came and I don’t know what it was but I could’ve sworn I had a heart attack. Work became so stressful; I was given more clients to handle, had a bunch of meetings I mostly slept through because a girl was tired, deadlines were killing me, and I hardly slept. Omo! it wasn’t funny at all. I considered moving back to my father’s house but my mama ain’t raise no quitter. I pushed through it and here we are.
Well, my lowest point in 2022 was when I interviewed for an internal role and didn’t get it. I remember going into the toilet to cry because I also had some personal issues then. That period was a dark time. But I’m glad I’m out of it and extremely happy for my colleague who eventually got it because he’s doing an amazing job.
I would say my highest point was having to head the new Startup Advisory and Business Incubator department we are building in the Company. It’s something I am really passionate about and to be able to spearhead. Really, it has been amazing. I am very hopeful for 2023, especially with this new role that I have received and I’m one of the few Nigerians who actually love their job and can’t wait for January!
“I would be relocating to Europe next year” -(Anonymous)
For me, it was a mix of the good, bad, and ugly. I rage quit my first real 9-5 job after spending six months there. Honestly, it was scary. I didn’t have any other job or even an interview but I couldn’t continue. The pay was small and I was spending more than my salary on transportation. Two months after I left there though, I got a remote job and it’s been a smooth ride since then. If you must know, I would be relocating to Europe next year; the company’s policy is to have me work from here for the first four months and join them later. I should also mention that your newsletter has been a great companion. Shout out to whoever is “Seye from Careerbuddy!”
