brittany nicole

Hello from Dallas, TX. I’m at a work conference this week kicking off Blogmas Day One. I’m so excited to blog my heart out this month and reflect on some of my highs and lows to close out 2021. I’m super excited and hope that you’ll help me reach 2500 views for the year. I’m going to be sharing tips and pointers about how I navigate through the highs and lows of life.

I think that the direction I’m going in with the blog is to continue being transparent but to open up more with no shame in my game. I’m still going to filter each story that I share but you’re going to get more whole truth than broken up pieces because that’s the foundation and heart of B Nicole Inspiring Souls. So if you read something that you like or find helpful, please share it with a friend. I appreciate all of your support in advance.

Today I’m sharing an update about work because I get so many questions about what’s next. So here goes my truth. I no longer have a desire to continue working in Fraternity & Sorority Life too much longer. I’m here for now and I take it one day at a time. God allowed me to heal so much more during this work assignment because I didn’t have a positive greek life experience. I was excluded for many reasons and I won’t take you there today because we do not have time. My “sorority” experience made me guarded towards other women (Greek and non-Greek) unknowingly because I experienced the flip and switch vibes from a few members. I even had members from the graduate chapter joking with undergrad members about me not graduating on time. Part of my truth is that I almost didn’t graduate from undergrad because my minor GPA was below the requirement. But none of that was funny to me. It was a stressful time actually. I wanted nothing more than to drop out my last semester. My mom wouldn’t let me though. She pushed and encouraged and motivated me across that finish line. I don’t know if she knew that’s what she was doing but I’m so grateful that she didn’t give up on me too. So yes I walked in May and took 2 classes to boost my minor GPA. My degree was awarded in July and at that time my alma mater didn’t have a summer graduation which is why I was permitted to walk in May.

I could also tell you about the time that a flyer was made for the graduates and I was “accidently” left off of the flyer. The sisterhood aint always that sisterly and I just knew after graduation, I would probably no longer want to be associated with Greek life.

And after graduation, I never pursued graduate membership. At first, it aligned with the fact that I also didn’t have the funds. Y’all know my first BIG girl job only offered me $27,614 annually. So money was tight and I wasn’t going to spend my little to be a part of something that made me question my worth. Then, I started making money and I still had no desire. So why did I take the job in Fraternity & Sorority Life if I had such a “not so positive experience”?

Well because I had college advisors on campus who truly poured into me. Who believed in me. Who spoke life and positivity over me. I’m so grateful for them because as a “not so sure of myself or future” on a college campus filled with people who didn’t look like me and on a campus culture that reminded me that I have to work harder and that nothing was ever going to be “given to me”…

It was a true blessing to have Black faculty and staff remind me that I have purpose and a bright future ahead of me if I keep my focus. I wanted to do that for other students. And I hope that every student that I’ve ever crossed paths with has felt the way that I did as a first-generation Black college student:

Inspired enough to keep going…

So I’m praying about my next steps and I’m hoping this week in Dallas will help me decide what direction I’m headed in next. God has always blessed me in a major way with job opportunities and I’m convinced that my next opportunity is coming sooner than later. So stay tuned because I’m pretty sure the journey will have more highs than lows, but be well worth the wait.

So if you’ve fallen out of love with the work that you do, here’s some advice from yours truly:

1. Remember that you have options

I love knowing that God has equipped me with the skills that I need to be successful professionally. You might feel stuck but you’re not, it just feels that way because you’re having to wait patiently for the next opportunity. Pursue all of your options and don’t limit yourself to only pursuing one thing at a time.

2. Apply faith

The hardest thing to do is to step out on faith when you’re unsure about leaving something that you once prayed for. Get still and apply faith to every networking opportunity. Apply faith to that job application that you keep checking to see if it’s still open. Apply faith to how you operate on the job and let God do the rest.

3. Prepare to leave on good terms

So regardless of how much disrespect or how many times you’ve been looked over, prepare to leave on good terms. You honestly don’t owe it to your department, you owe it to yourself. Don’t ever give a company a reason to speak negatively of your character or your ability to get ish done. Don’t kiss but either. You’re preparing to leave not ask for a raise.

4. Make peace with who will be affected by your decision to leave

This is a must. You will find yourself sticking around past the expiration date if you don’t do this. Understand that those who will be affected the most by your departure will be grateful that you’re doing what you challenged them to do at times: Do What’s Best For You.

5. Don’t settle for less

Sometimes wanting out gives you a sense of urgency. You’re actually more likely to make a lapse in judgement if you choose not to think through things. I almost took another job that was offered to me this summer, but the pay was not enough for me. I would have been doing double the work for only about $200 more a month. I know you’re ready to go now but dont be in a rush.

With Love,

Waiting Patiently… (By Faith)

#BNspired2day