Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Dang
Hi Kathleen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in San Diego, I grew up with a large extended family. My family came to the US in the 1970s as refugees from the Vietnam War. My siblings and I were raised to prioritize education, sometimes at all costs. Therefore, selecting my major for college would be an important decision that I hoped to make for myself. Thankfully, my parents supported my decision to major in Archaeology because they saw that I was interested and happy about learning about ancient cultures. I enjoyed my time in college and participated in internships that helped me hone into the career field I wanted to pursue: Museums.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I landed a dream role at a local museum, where I showcased cultural and historical stories to the public. For years, I grew my museum skills within this organization and felt proud of my professional accomplishments. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I made an extremely difficult decision to leave the organization. For me, it was a heartbreaking moment because I held this job on the highest pedestal as My Dream Job. I was lost for a time, unsure of where my skills and work expertise could land next.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, I work at the Foundation for California Community Colleges as a Program Specialist of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program. To me, this job also fulfills dreams I’ve had about my life trajectory. To land here, I actually made a few more career pivots from other “dream jobs.” While I still feel a similar pain and nervousness when leaving a role, I have a newfound feeling of optimism and excitement for what comes next for me in life.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
When I left my first dream job, the job I got my major in college, I was devastated and lost. I wasn’t sure who to confide in. When I asked an elder in my community for advice, he said, “When one door closes, another one opens.” I carry that with me as a reminder that change does not mean dead ends. I’ve transitioned through many jobs over the last decade with that advice. It gets easier to change, and I can acknowledge the complex feelings involved. I give thanks to a job that served me for a time, and I can be optimistic and welcome new opportunities when they arise.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bykathleendang
