Seeking a Meaningful Career: Matt’s Path to Trajectify
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The last several months of my professional career have been incredibly rewarding as I have taken on the role of Business Coordinator for Trajectify. I am part of an amazing team where my contribution is valued and I have the ability to grow both professionally and personally. This career is a great fit with my values, strengths and personality. Things weren’t always this wonderful for me. Like many others, I have struggled over the years with “what I want to be when I grow up.” In searching for the answer to this question, I’ve come to realize that figuring out my career was much more of a journey than a destination.
I began undergraduate at Penn State University pursuing a degree in Engineering. I was drawn to engineering because of my interest in robotics (I was in the robotics club in high school), my passion for all things technology, and my desire to pursue a meaningful career. After a year and a half, I decided engineering wasn’t for me and I switched majors to Theatre Design & Technology (another high school club), basically professional stage crew. I was drawn to this major because of the variety and creativity involved in the field and because I love being behind the scenes making sure everything works. Another year and summer internship later, I realized that the Theatre wasn’t going to be a stable career for me, that it wouldn’t fulfill my desire to do something sustainable.
After months of research and reflection, I decided to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a Chiropractic Physician. I was drawn to the profession because of the ability to help other people, a passion for healthy living, and the flexibility and stability the career path could offer. Well, after 5 years and way too much coffee, I obtained my Bachelors in Biomedical Science and my Doctoral Degree in Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences.
While in graduate school, I excelled at coursework and even took on a few jobs: Administrative Assistant, Teaching Assistant and Tutor. The one (very important) aspect of my schooling I did not enjoy - my clinical internship. I had an amazing clinician, great patients and fellow interns, but I did not find fulfillment in the work I was doing. I kept this to myself and chalked it up to “senioritis” and told myself everything will be fine once I was out of school and in clinical practice.
After graduation, I excitedly joined my father’s practice. Not only was I able to set my own schedule, but I was able to help steer the direction of our family business. I was eager to make changes around the office, so I also took on the role of office manager. I led the business transition from a sole proprietorship to a professional limited liability company (PLLC). I evolved our paper accounting system to an electronic one and maintained it over the years. I built our practice website. I developed standard operating procedures for various office tasks. The one aspect of my job that I still did not find fulfilling was patient care. I kept at it for five years. I tried working at another practice for 6 months for a change of environment, but that didn’t help.
I was at an impasse, I spent all this time, money and energy building a career for myself, but I wasn’t feeling fulfilled. I felt guilty for feeling this way. I had a great job and got to help people every day… I should feel fulfilled. What followed was another a year long journey to figure out what I was going to do. While continuing clinical practice, I came up with many different ideas of what to pursue: Video Game Designer, Computer Programmer, FBI analyst, open my own Escape Room, Anatomy or Biochemistry Teacher, go back to school for Business and get into Management Consulting.
Early in my search, I got in touch with a career Coach who had me take several personality and behavioral assessments which were insightful. She suggested that given my strengths, I consider a career in Entrepreneurship. She helped connect me with various resources in the Philly startup community. I also started to see a therapist who specialized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He was instrumental in helping me process a lot of difficult thoughts and emotions I had surrounding my career change. He gave me useful tools that I use to this day to process my thoughts a lot more effectively. I learned to avoid the common pitfalls around seeking happiness and instead learned to identify my core values – and live according to them. This has led to much greater clarity and fulfillment. I was able to more clearly identify my strengths and driving factors.
I spent a lot of time (no really, like a ton of time) reflecting on and examining my strengths and past experiences. I was able to identify elements in my experiences that really stood out and provided me with fulfillment. I value strong work relationships and a healthy work-life balance. I enjoy working hard behind the scenes to achieve a common goal or mission. I also enjoy prioritizing multiple responsibilities and influencing business operations. I do extremely well in an environment where my opinions are valued and I have the opportunity for advancement and self-development.
And this brought me to today - the opportunity I have to work alongside the Trajectify Team. As Business Coordinator, I get the chance to work alongside experienced entrepreneurial coaches and consultants while developing my own management skills and knowledge of business operations and strategy. I’ve also had the chance to meet and help Trajectify clients - successful and inspiring CEOs and Founders.
My career journey has taught me many valuable lessons along the way:
Don’t fall into the happiness trap - thinking that if you were only in the perfect situation (or in my case, career) it will ultimately bring you happiness. Life is full of a wide range of emotions, including happiness. Instead of trying to pursue a temporary emotion, identify what really drives you. Identify your core values and live according to them. This leads to a full and meaningful life.
Deal with your emotions. It might be taboo to talk about emotions, but the truth is we all have them, so don’t let them control you. I found benefit in seeking out a therapist, and there are many ways of dealing with difficult emotions.
Don’t run away from fear, embrace it. One of the things I struggled with is wanting to be in constant control of what happens in my life. This leads to fear of the unknown and getting stuck in your comfort zone. There is pain with growth and change, but stagnation isn’t better. Your comfort zone should be called the “putting your life on hold zone.” Let go of the fear of uncertainty and be okay with the journey.
I did not stumble upon my career by chance. I identified my core values, learned what drives me, and decided to create my own story. I am excited to be on this journey and to continue growing with this incredible team.
Check Out Matt’s Bio: Here.
