Valerie Davis went through many of the typical stages of loss when she learned she would soon be laid off from her job in the Englewood School District.
First up: anger.
“I think it’s a shame that they’re cutting so many of these special programs. I work hard for kids who really need advocates,” said Davis, who coordinates the gifted-and-talented program for the district. “These are our future doctors and scientists.”
But that stage didn’t last long, says the 53-year-old mother of three. “It’s really a waste of energy to be angry.”
Next: fear.
“My husband works as a contract computer consultant, so the family is on my insurance policy. Plus, starting in fall, I’ll have three in college. What it comes down to is this: I really need to bring in an income right now. That’s a little scary.”
The final stage: happiness mixed with anticipation.
“I’m ready to try something new. I love working with kids, but that’s not really where my heart is telling me to go. I just wish my heart would give me a few hints and tell me where it is I should be going,” she says with a laugh.
Nancy Franz, owner of Transitions Career Coaching, explored job possibilities with Davis during a short session.
Her first observation is that Davis has so much experience that she should use her talents to shape a new career.
“Val advanced her career by taking classes, earning advanced degrees . . . and attending conventions,” Franz says of Davis, who has a master of science degree in elementary counseling from Iowa State University. “She is well-connected in her field and has a great personal and professional support system.”
Those qualities, she suggests, would make her an ideal education consultant.
“I do enjoy giving presentation,” says Davis, who is a frequent speaker at the annual convention of the National Association of Gifted Children. “She also suggested I write a book, which is an exciting idea.”
Sitting behind a desk for 40 hours a week holds no appeal, Davis says.
“I’m a people person. At my job, I work with everyone,” she says. “I work with kids, and it’s been amazing, even though I don’t think I want to go back to the classroom. But my 30 years of working with them have been so rewarding. I love the way they think. I love seeing where their minds can take them and how incredibly creative they are.”
Coordinating events is another aspect of her job that she loves.
Like any wise job hunter, Davis has a thick stack of letters of recommendation from her co-workers and supervisors. Among the accolades:
“She is a passionate, articulate and knowledgeable leader in the field of gifted education,” writes Deborah L. Rothenberg, gifted-education regional consultant with the Colorado Department of Education.
“Valerie has trained and presented locally and nationally, always encouraging colleagues to embrace the diversity of learners,” says Mary A. Vedra, executive director of learning services for Englewood Schools.
Gail Stine, who was a coordinator with Davis, notes that her co-worker is “confident, knowledgeable, hard-working and dedicated.” All traits, Davis says, she will bring to her next career.
“I’d love to stay with my job because I love working with talented and gifted kids, but there aren’t many openings out there, so it’s time to move on,” Davis says. “If you’re a teacher, you have little contact with the business world. I think a whole lot of teachers who will be unemployed will have to figure out how to take their many abilities and move on.”
Four tips for job-hunting success
Nancy Franz, owner of Transitions Career Consulting (), has this advice:
1. In this economy take care of your survival needs first. It is wonderful to have a dream job, but your primary concern should be putting food on the table. If you can’t afford to change careers right now, put together a career plan. Figure out your ideal job and the steps you will need to take to reach it. Create a timetable so you can be accountable.
2. Remember, your career is not just what you do every day but an expression of who you are. Ask yourself, where is my growing edge? How do I want to be challenged; what do I want to learn? Who are the people I like to work with? If your idea scares you, it could be the very thing you need to do.
3.These days, resumes are more of a marketing piece than a chronological view of your career. Think about how to brand yourself. What are the three strengths you are known for at work? During the interview tell great stories about how you used your strengths when challenged with a project at work.
4. Think of the interview as a dialogue. They are checking you out to see if you match their needs, and you are checking them out to make sure the work and environment suit you.
Do you need job boot camp? Tell us about yourself in a few sentences — recent work history, job-search efforts— plus your phone number and e-mail address. Send to dpliving@denverpost.com and put “job boot camp” in the subject line. Have a job for Valerie Davis? Send info to dpliving@denverpost.com
