She Quit Her Job: A New Chapter for Be Data Lit

If you want to get into the spirit of this article, I highly recommend listening to some Les Miserables, cause it's going through my head as I write this.

For those who've been keeping up with me (Sarah, one of the co-founders, hi), there have been significant announcements regarding the developments at Be Data Lit. Be Data Lit was founded to be a voice to boost advocacy and visibility for underserved populations needing data literacy. Here's the thing, folks: A lot of people don't know what "data skills" even are. Let's use that as our launchpad.

The Unseen World of Data

In the past year and a half, I had a chance at a career outside of the world of data, which was eye-opening. To be among people who didn't live and breathe data, I realized how exclusive the data literacy discussions had become. We are talking to people who speak the language of data, not people who are still learning the language or know of its existence.

Some people still need help understanding what data skills encompass. Some companies still need a data strategy and access to reporting for their employees. There are people, many, many people, who do not use data to drive decisions in their everyday roles. The purpose of saying these things is not to shame anyone - but to create awareness that the world is only as visible as what we surround ourselves with.

The Trauma of Change

While the past year and a half was eye-opening regarding data, it was also traumatic, for lack of a better word. After taking a chance as a senior leader within an organization to build education from the ground up, I also realized that equity in the workplace has a long way to go. There are still old boys' clubs. Some still fear change and will cause pain to others to hold on to their power. Some think women aren't nearly as talented as men, and they are wrong.

I've run into what I am dubbing "powerbrokers." Typically, powerbrokers are written about as positive folks - people who use their power for good. But if Marvel taught us anything, there are also people with power who would do harm. And those people can cause irreparable damage (Thanos, anyone?). We see a lot of powerbrokers in the news these days. The intersection of finding out about the lack of knowledge about data that still exists and the power struggles that still arrest the development of organizations has led me to a big life decision.

I quit the damn job. 

Maybe I should title this "She Quit her job, now what?".

Take the damn power back.

How many days do people go to work and finish their day only to feel completely drained of their energy? It doesn't happen to everyone, but there are a lot of folks out there it does happen to. People who stay in toxic roles because they fear that they would go someplace even more toxic. Or people who have grown complacent with their lives because at least it's a job. In a world of layoffs, people compromise on what makes them them.

And when we do that, we give other people our power. We give other people their dreams and goals rather than our own. I want to inspire and build a world of dreamers who don't have people telling them they can't do something but can.

It's not about doing what I did - up and quitting your job (though that's an option for some). It's about realizing that you are more than your job. You have a life outside work; sometimes, our jobs don't feed that life.

Here's the thing news stories don't want you to know, and here's the thing that CEOs don't want you to know.

There are still jobs out there.

In the same way, I had my eyes opened once I left data-centric organizations; there are so many industries out there that still, wait for it, NEED DATA SKILLS.

Be Data Lit's New Chapter

So Be Data Lit is opening up shop. Say what? I want to be a voice in the world that counters all that negative talk about what you shouldn't do or fear-mongering about your job. What if you came home from work ok? Not drained? Ready to go out and give your energy to something you want to put your time into. Whether that is your family, pets, friends, or a hobby.

Careers should not take up your life and should not take away from it. They should complement it and create a life you want to lead. So that's it, that's the value proposition: I want to help you find a less ordinary career and work with you to determine the right fit. I want you to find a place in life you are comfortable being with, and not compromising what makes you - you.

Exciting Changes Ahead

Over the past few months, I have partnered with Liz Ryan at the Human Workplace to be part of her coaching network. Liz Ryan is incredibly well-known throughout the career world, and she doesn't sugarcoat what employers would rather you don't know. That you have more power than you know. That you can do more than they want you to think you can.

Here's the thing: I am 45. And I am tired of these powerbrokers struggling to find meaning by demeaning others. I know a lot of you are, too. After questioning my worth as an employee for the last year and a half and having powerbrokers break down my confidence, I am taking it back.

Join the Journey

So what about you? What will you take back?

What to expect:

New website! Same bedatalit.com, new look! We are also moving from WordPress to Squarespace. We will have a day when we are down when we switch.

We are adding services! We will have career coaching services, and we'll also expand into education consulting services.

What isn't changing?

We will continue sharing the stories of people who have taken non-traditional paths. People who have taken that terrifying first step - they started and didn't stop. We want to continue to share these stories, elevate them, and show the world that we are a beautiful rainbow of stories.

Will you join us?

If you launched in to some Les Miserable "will you join in our crusade", now you're got the spirit of it!