“I learned that it’s my experience and what I can bring to the table that matters.”
Sara was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 years ago. When she was diagnosed, she lost everything—her job, her car, even her house. After spending her 401(k) and with no way to support herself due to her diagnosis, Sara applied for disability and Section 8 housing, a federal voucher program that assists disabled people with rent.
Once Sara was able to return to work, one of her coworkers noticed her breathing sounded strange and encouraged her to visit her doctor. Sara’s doctor thought she may have asthma, but said it was safe for her to continue working. Not long after her visit, Sara’s coworkers had to call an ambulance to help her. As it turned out, the radiation from Sara’s breast cancer treatment years ago had burned her lung, making it dangerously difficult for her to breathe. She was put on oxygen to be able to continue doing everyday things.
A woman meets with her Career Coach to work on her resume.
Starting Over
When Sara started having to carry the oxygen tanks around she was working as a contractor and her contract was not renewed. She felt self-conscious about finding work while knowing she would be limited in what her body could do. She tried to find remote work so it wouldn’t be an issue but was without luck. Sara even said one time she tried to leave her tank in the car for an interview so it wouldn’t be a factor in her not receiving a job offer, but she was out of breath before she even made it to the door.
Sara wasn’t making ends meet with disability alone, but she felt discouraged that she could find employment with her current health. She says for Christmas she would always ask for everyday items that were more expensive like toilet paper, dishwasher detergent, and laundry detergent instead of gifts because it was what she needed.
The Going Places Network classroom in Raleigh
Encouragement from a Friend
One of Sara’s friends had recently completed the Going Places Network, Dress for Success Triangle’s weekly job acquisition program, and kept encouraging her to sign up. “I felt like I had been put out to pasture and had nothing to offer,” says Sara. Her friend kept after her and eventually got Sara to sign up.
Sara’s coaches kept telling her that she had something to offer. She said they kept repeating it and eventually she believed it too. “When you’re in a situation where you feel beat down and there are so many people telling you what you can’t do, it’s hard to unlock what you can do,” says Sara. She said the class taught her about soft marketing skills—things you don’t normally put on a resume, but are great talking points for an interview.
A Going Places Network cohort prepares for mock interviews.
“I push mock interviews all the time,” says Sara, “that’s what really helped me get out of my comfort zone.” She says that in her past jobs she was always intimidated by everyone around her who had an advanced degree. “I don’t have any of that, but I learned that it’s my experience and what I can bring to the table that matters.”
Continued Growth
After graduating from the Going Places Network, Sara’s health continued to improve and she was able to come off from oxygen. She accepted a couple of jobs, making her way up the career ladder, and coming off from disability and Section 8.
A co-worker told her about a position that opened up with the very same company that Sara worked for years ago when she first had to start using oxygen. “My mom always said ‘never burn a bridge because you never know when you’re going to walk across it again,” says Sara. She landed the job and just recently received a promotion. Today Sara shared that she makes a nearly six-figure income!
Sara is an advocate for other women, always encouraging them to sign up for the Going Places Network, and especially mock interviews. You can read more about the Going Places Network and sign up here.