My Career Journey: Defining My Own Career Success.

How Strategic Integration in the US Labor Market Prepared Me for a Career Strategist Role.

The goal of sharing my career journey is 3-fold:

To know who I am. | How I got to what I do. | Why you need to give yourself a chance.

The Two Questions That Haunt every Immigrant Professional.

Six months in America, I’m standing behind a restaurant dumpster, tears streaming down my face after dragging a garbage can three times my size. I’m earning $20 a week washing dishes. I walk to work every day because I can’t afford bus fare.

My super job as Tour/Reservations Manager is still open, reserved for me in Uganda. One phone call, and I could return to my comfortable office, respected position, predictable salary, family, friends. The safety of the familiar beckons.

But this rock-bottom, soul-crushing moment is where every professional immigrant’s real journey begins. At this point we all ask the same two questions: Will it be worth it? Can I really do it?

Let me tell you why the answer to both is absolutely yes.

The Breaking Point: Week 5 in America

6:00PM. I’m rushing to catch the 6:20pm bus the first of three different transfers:2 buses, 1 train) across the city. A three-hour journey each way riding to my first job. A companion to a 47-year-old cancer patient through the graveyard shift. My task? To watch. Do nothing but watch her sleep the whole night. Three months in, she passed on. A deep sense of loss, my first time watch someone die. Is this what it’s all about?

But that wasn’t even the lowest point. There was more to come – as life prepared me.

The $20 per Week Job That Changed Everything

Two weeks later, came the dishwasher job at a restaurant, $20 a week. I walked to work daily, couldn’t afford bus fare. The work was backbreaking; but it wasn’t the physical labor that broke me: it was the mental anguish. Here I was, a professional with years of experience reduced to this.

The worst part wasn’t the pay; it was dragging huge garbage cans three times my size to the dumpster, then spending those few stolen minutes crying behind the garbage can. Crying in hiding for relief. These moments became my prayer time, therapy session, and moment of truth. I often asked the question that haunts every immigrant: ‘Was it worth it staying here?’ I washed dishes all day until my hands became soft like pulp. What was I doing to myself?

But in the moment, I could not process that valleys are inevitable to appreciate the mountain.

Lesson 1:  about crucial question 1 – reframing. From: will it be worth it? To How can I make it worth it? There it was! I set myself the mental compass challenge.

The Library: Where Hope was Resurrected

On my days off, instead of wallowing in my misery, I chose to do something about it – went to the library. Not just to escape, but to fight back. To navigate ways to make my presence count in this country.

I invested hours researching how to convert my CV to the American resume. I searched for agencies offering employment & immigrant resettlement services – trainings in basic Microsoft, soft skills, understanding U.S. culture, and job readiness. Willingness to step out is very important.

Lesson 2: – the first fundamental truth about immigration success: achieving starts with making progress. Every small action towards your goal compounds. Knowledge is power but only applied knowledge is valuable and powerful. My thinking is crucial it could affect my success tomorrow. I preached to my inner man. Decisions are rooted in the ability to think well, keep a sound, open mind.

The agency prepared me for my first interview – Front Desk Agent position at a private hotel. Why this role? I had decided; I wanted to understand the details of FD operations in a hotel. Know your career goal. I didn’t get the job. Rejection stung but I had planted a seed, my mind in the right place.

Three months later, HR called. Offering a coat check position. Not what I wanted, but what I needed: a survival job. The HR lady was honest; ‘It won’t give you a lot of mental activity but it will equip you with customer service skills serving U.S. customers.’ I took it for progress and exposure. I was making $9.00/hr then but with hefty tips, I barely touched my cheque.

The Coat Check Chronicles: Nine Months of Mental Warfare

Nine months of checking coats. Nine months of ‘not being allowed to do anything.’ Nine months of feeling my brain atrophy. Nine months of watching others come and go while I stood still, wore a grin every now and then.

Lesson 3: But here’s what you need to know about survival jobs: it’s about who you become while doing them.

The coat check became my secret classroom. I smuggled newspapers behind those expensive fur coats, solving puzzles to keep my mind sharp. I improved my English comprehension and vocabulary, worked on problem-solving skills and observed American business culture up close.

And yes, I cried – a lot! But I also smiled when I got home to deposit earnings in the tip box. I also watched. I learned how Americans interact professionally. Customer service excellence. I built my confidence and first professional references. The coat check room was a preparation ground.

The Breakthrough: When Persistence Meets Opportunity

I spent much time mulling over applying for another job or staying; given the hefty tips I received daily. Just when I was ready to give up – literally the week I planned to apply elsewhere – the Front Desk Agent position opened again. This time, I was offered a dual role: Front Desk Agent – Night Auditor.

It took 9 months to pivot back to the initial role I had applied for. Patience is part of the game.

For seven years, I worked in this role: Three days a week, plus Friday and Saturday nights for three straight years. Three straight years of working weekends meant I never made it to church on Sunday mornings. I was always exhausted. But I was also going to school. Building on my education while increasing experience. Learning the hospitality industry from the ground up.

One morning, exhaustion took its toll. I fell asleep at the wheel while driving home. Only woke up as my car veered toward a concrete barrier. God’s Sovereign hand saved me that morning, but it was also a wake-up call: this level of sacrifice must lead somewhere purposeful.

Lesson 4: Resilience isn’t just surviving – it’s growing while you survive.

The Power of Strategic Thinking and the Choices That Define Us

Seven years into the FD/ Night Audit role, opportunities started appearing. I was offered a Housekeeping Assistant Director role. More responsibility. Higher status. Better pay.

I said no! Turned it down. I shocked myself too.

Why? I had learned something crucial about career strategy: not every promotion is progress. I chose not to take on stress and responsibilities that didn’t align with my long-term vision, despite the pay increase. I had learned to think strategically about my career, I had attained more education. I chose to wait it out as I continued to improve my relationship building skills. Know the why behind each decision.

Three years later, a new Sales Director arrived, hiring me for the newly opened Sales Coordinator role. From Sales Coordinator to Group Sales Associate over the next six years, I found my rhythm. I determined this was where I wanted to plateau; not because I couldn’t go higher, but I wanted to explore other options and learn new skills. Know your why behind each decision.

This is where the second question gets answered: Can I do it? I was pretty comfortable where I was. I had great life-work balance.

The answer isn’t just yes – it is a resounding Yes! You can do more than you imagine. You can do it strategically, on your terms.

The Pivot: When Crisis Becomes Opportunity

In comes Covid19. Hospitality, Tourism and Travel industry crashed.

In those quiet moments, I reverted to what I had learned to do earlier. I tapped into the strengths I knew myself – turning crises into opportunity. I reassessed my skills and pivoted strategically.

I moved to a seasonal HR recruiting role. Thereafter, I took a one-year career break – to realign, rebrand and plan the next career move. I emerged as a ‘career avenues nerd.’ I pivoted to career development with the higher priority of learning more about career and workforce development. I set myself some serious targets.

Within six months, I constantly sought projects that challenged my abilities to keep the job fun. Upskilling was on my constant to-do-list, (still is).

Then life happened. I separated with my employer. Another chapter of my life was starting. Just when I thought I had everything under control. Surprises never ask for our permission. The separation was abrupt. It called for my being devastated. Why? My character integrity – the one aspect I hold dear about myself was questioned. But apparently no – I wasn’t as devastated. Instead, something was awakened in me. The shock just fueled my vision and inner strength. I determined to tightly strap my laces and started walking the path to my dream. I knew, and I knew, and I knew: it was time to start my own practice, not look for another job. The conviction was deep in my soul and marrow. The decision required a certain level of thinking. (I have an obsession for growing thinking skills); ZIL Career Avenue was born in the fall of 2024. Three years earlier than I had planned. I started because my mind was in the right place – my philosophy abides – companies own the job; I own my career.

The Full Circle: From Survivor to Guide

Today, ZIL Career Avenue exists because I have lived every struggle all professional immigrants face. I know what it feels like to question whether leaving everything behind is worth it. I know the shame of working jobs that feel beneath your qualifications. I know the loneliness of starting over when everyone else seems to have it figured out. I know the feel of losing a job from being misunderstood, despite top performance.

But here’s what my 24-year journey has taught me about both directive questions:

‘Will it be worth it?’ Yes, but not how you think! The worth is in the process!

The companion job taught me empathy and patience. Dishwashing taught me humility. The coat check taught me observation and customer service excellence and staying visionary. The FD/night auditor role taught me reliability, adaptability, work ethics, and attention to detail. Each rejection taught me resilience. Each small victory taught me to celebrate progress. Stick to the goal rather than the plan. Each experience builds something.

What’s the bottom line?

• Know where you want to go.
• Every purposeful small step adds to something bigger.
• Your lowest points often precede your biggest breakthroughs.
• The skills you think you’re losing are actually transforming.
• What feels like going backward is often preparation for leaping forward.

‘Can I do it?’

• You already proved this by coming over.
• Survival jobs are skill-building jobs in disguise.
• Your international experience isn’t a liability but competitive advantage.
• You don’t just adapt to America – you add value to America.

But let me be specific about what ‘doing it’ really means:

• You can survive the survival jobs but extract value from them.
• You can learn new systems while maintaining your unique perspective.
• You can make strategic choices that align with your long-term vision.
• You can pivot when circumstances change; agility is a life necessity.
• You can build something meaningful that honors both where you came from and where you’re and want to go.

The Truth About the Journey

Your path won’t look exactly like mine. Maybe your lowest point will look different. Maybe your breakthrough will come faster or take longer.

But the principles remain the same:

Setback has step-up potential. Rejection for the Front Desk role led to the coat check, which led to customer service upskilling – enhance people skills.

Choice matters. Turning down the housekeeping role wasn’t just about avoiding stress; it was also about learning to make strategic career decisions rather than desperate ones.

Pivot is preparation. Covid19 didn’t derail my career. I was redirected toward my true calling: helping others navigate their career journey.

Write your Story

If you’re reading this and wondering whether your journey will be worth it, remember: I went from washing dishes for $20 a week to running my own career development practice. It will be worth it.

If you’re questioning whether you can do it, remember: The same resilience that got you here, is the same resilience that will carry you to success.

The question isn’t either one.  The real question is: What extraordinary story will you create along the way?

Your journey starts with a single decision and step. Your success starts with believing that both questions – Will it be worth it? Can I do it? Have the same answer: Absolutely. Achieving your potential comes from making progress. Will you give yourself a chance to write your story? You have come so far!

At ZIL Career Avenue, I guide early-to-mid career level professionals how-to think and speak differently about your value and potential!

Let’s connect: info@zilcav.com