34-year-old got laid off from tech job and returned to her old part-time job: I felt 'ashamed at first'—'now I just feel proud'

Last fall, after I got laid off from my job as a data analyst, I knew exactly what I had to do. Within a few weeks, I was back working part-time as a registered veterinary technician (RVT).

I was more than ready for the chaos of a busy vet clinic. After all, I had done it for a decade before I switched careers. Though there was a lot about the work I enjoyed, I braced myself for the well-meaning yet still hurtful words I knew would be coming my way.

Comments like, “I knew you’d be back” and “See? I told you this job was more stable,” made me feel ashamed at first. It took a little time, but now I just feel proud of myself.

Thanks to this experience, I understand now how resilient and adaptable I am. Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned from taking on a temporary gig in the wake of a career setback.

At first, I was embarrassed about getting laid off. I would scroll through LinkedIn and feel envious, watching my peers post about their shiny new jobs and forward momentum. Meanwhile, I was cleaning up after sick animals, and I felt like I had ended up where I started.