Read the empowering career story of this twenty-something worker, who -- a year ago searched for meaning in her career -- and today has not only found it but is helping other young people with their careers. Also included are the suggestions and resources from the Quintessential Careers team -- for this job-seeker and any other job-seeker facing a similar situation.

by Elizabeth Lowery, as told to Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Lowery

Elizabeth Lowery believes people should do what they want in their careers -- what makes them happy. "You can't dread going into work every day," she says. "I used to, and it made my life just terrible and very stressful." Lowery, 28, is talking about jobs accompanied by the stress of meeting difficult deadlines and unrealistic expectations, 60-70 hour work weeks, and working nights and weekends.

Today, however, a stressed-out worklife is behind her. As assistant director of career placement at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, Lowery says, "I am now in a position where I have a stress-free work environment, love my coworkers, and love the students I get to work with daily. I truly enjoy all aspects of my position, and it has made a positive difference in my life."

Born in Summit, NJ, Lowery as a child wanted to be an artist, "but my father told me I couldn't because they don't make enough money!"

Lowery grew up watching her father work hard to make sure the family was comfortable and happy, but, Lowery observes, "I can't imagine how stressed and tired he was with his long work hours, long commutes, late nights, etc. He sacrificed family time and personal peace. I knew that wasn't the kind of life I wanted to lead." In fact, knowing that she wanted better balance between work and home life has been the biggest single influence on her career, making her "realize I don't want to be a part of the rat race and that a high quality of life is more important to me than a high-paying job."

After graduation from Boston University in May 2001, Lowery's first job was in the rental department at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. "I was there for two years when I realized I loved the company but did not feel I was serving it to the best of my abilities. It was then that I interviewed for and was promoted to the human resources and recruiting department at Enterprise." Lowery says that at the time, she envisioned her work in that department as "a long-term career ... and it was something I wanted to learn more about."

After two years in that position, however, Lowery realized that she was stuck with "nowhere to be promoted to and nothing new to learn," so she moved on. "It was a very sudden realization."

A Personal Glimpse LATEST PROJECT Remodeling my kitchen -- a major undertaking! LATEST BOOK READ The Ra Expeditions, by Thor Heyerdahl FAVORITE BOOK The Bible INTERESTS/ HOBBIES Cooking, volunteer work, reading, traveling, eating!! FAVORITE MOVIE The Goonies FAVORITE TV SHOWS The Simpsons, The Office FAVORITE FOOD Indian Food BIGGEST THRILL Helping people and animals PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY "Tan fat looks better than pale fat."

She decided to leave Enterprise and pursue other goals. "It was a difficult decision for me because I had spent four years there and was leaving many friends, as well as a company I respected and that had treated me well throughout my time there," she says. "I wanted to move up within the HR/Recruiting department but realized no one above was moving anywhere -- which is actually a testament to the company and how well they treat their employees. No one wanted to move! My best example of that is that the recruiter who conducted my exit interview was the same recruiter who initially conducted my internship interview over six years prior. [She was] still in the same position, because she loved what she did. I realized I needed to move out so I could also move up."

So Lowery took a job as a management recruiter with Panera Bread (PR Restaurants), overseeing management hiring for Maine, New Hampshire, and most of Massachusetts.

"When my husband's company moved us from Boston to Fairfield County, CT, in spring of 2007, I was in the position where I had to look for a new job but realized it was also an exciting position to be in -- sort of like a blank slate where I can try anything I wanted to," Lowery recalls. "So I focused on finding something I enjoyed. In my recruiting experience, I found that my favorite times were when I was on college campuses -- recruiting at college fairs, volunteering to take part in events such as helping students with their resumes, conducting mock interviews to help with their interviewing skills, etc. My happiness came from helping the students achieve their goals.

"I remember a few times when the company I was representing didn't have any appropriate opportunities for a student," Lowery notes, "so I would try to help them find another company that could provide that opportunity -- just for the thrill of them finding a good match for themselves. I knew that is what I wanted to do full-time! I initially had questions about whether or not a college would view my hands-on HR and recruiting background as being enough experience, but I am proud to say I received three offers within a week of each other for similar positions, so I did something right in those interviews!"

While Lowery is thrilled with her job, she admits it's not flawless. "In the field of higher education, salary is a touchy subject," she says. "While I have the high quality of life I am seeking, compared to my previous positions, the salary is quite low, which can be discouraging. Bonuses never happen, and raises rarely, which can make employees feel undervalued. When I feel that way, however, I just remind myself of all the great benefits I have, like a 40-hour work week, many paid holidays, not having to work at night or over the weekends, helping others daily, etc.

Although Lowery made the decision to value her family time over work time and has the luxury to do so, her husband is not in quite the same situation. "Sadly, now I see my husband working that same crazy schedule [as my father did], but I make sure he knows that at any point it becomes too much for him, I want him to slow down and enjoy his life. "

Lowery doesn't regret the stressful early years of her career because, she says, "each step has been a learning process." She attributes much of her career success to making sure she is happy at each point. Luck has not played any role, she asserts. "I don't believe in luck in any aspect of my life. I think I have been well qualified for all the positions I have attained, and each decision to change jobs has been a well-researched decision."

As for the future, Lowery doesn't rule out opening a coffee/pastry/snack shop. "I make an awesome cheesecake in myriad flavors," she says. "I've always dreamt of a cheesecake delivery business. My brother will laugh at me for saying that because I have been talking about it for years, but who knows what will happen?"

In the meantime, Lowery say her proudest accomplishment is "that I am not afraid of myself or my religious and ethical beliefs, and I live that way each day of my life, in every aspect of my life. Not many people can say that, sadly."

Suggestions and Resources for Elizabeth and Others in Similar Situations

We suggest that Elizabeth:

• Plan the next phase of her career. Lowery is thrilled with her current career, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to advance and grow down the road. She may find our article, Developing a Strategic Vision for Your Career Plan, helpful.
• Consider an advanced degree. Jobs in college career services and other aspects of student/campus life often require a master's degree. Lowery may want to consider pursuing one if she aspires to, say, eventually become director of of career placement at her current university or another one. She could read our article, Considering Graduate School? Answer These Five Questions Before You Decide and check out our Graduate School Resources.
• Explore ways to broaden and expand her current job. Lowery could expand her current skill set by looking beyond her job description and finding even more ways to help students. She could research what other college career-services/career placement offices are doing. These offices are notoriously understaffed and underpaid, so she could look at ways to make the most of the resources at hand. One idea is a Real World Panel in which alumni come back to the school and tell current students what they wish they'd known when they entered the job market. See our section, Real Grads. Real Advice. Real Stories. Real World.
• Find a mentor. If Lowery doesn't already have one, she could consider finding and establishing a relationship with mentor who could help guide her to advancing her career. She could read our article The Value of a Mentor.