In 2024, the white-collar recession swept through marketing, tech, entertainment, you name it. I was laid off after years as a marketing manager. But instead of hitting pause, I hit reset. One day, a Calbright College newsletter landed in my inbox, spotlighting the College’s Project Management program. Something about it clicked. I reached out to my career specialist, Kellie C, and after taking one look at my experience, she told me, “You’ve been doing this your whole life. It’s time to put a badge on it.” She was right. I enrolled, committed to turning that unexpected layoff into the best kind of plot twist.
What came next was my career glow-up:
- I completed both the Project Management and HR – Learning and Development programs – yes, in the same year.
- I became a peer tutor intern for both programs for Calbright, getting paid to mentor fellow learners and building my confidence.
- I joined Calbright’s Learning & Instruction team as a Project Management intern.
- I was accepted into a paid, 8-week HubSpot Academy Micro-Internship, diving into AI-powered marketing tools. I interned with Ignite Reading, developing digital deliverables – and received this unforgettable feedback via LinkedIn: “I absolutely loved your work!”
- I landed another paid internship through Calbright Career Bridge with Riipen, applying HR strategy and problem-solving in real-world business settings.
- And now, I’ve been selected to represent Calbright as a Learner Correspondent at INBOUND25 in San Francisco, where I’ll be sharing my story and connecting with leaders in tech and marketing.
Calbright didn’t just offer classes – it gave me structure, opportunities, and a community that believed in me even when I was still figuring things out. The transformation wasn’t just external, it was personal.
After being laid off, I took a step back, not because I lacked skills, but because I wanted to align them with what mattered most. I already knew how to lead, strategize, and deliver, especially from my marketing experience. But Calbright helped me sharpen those strengths, explore new ones in HR and project management, and apply everything through internships that pushed me to grow.
Tutoring showed me the power of sharing knowledge. Internships gave me space to lead in new settings. I didn’t start from scratch. I built on who I was and gained clarity on where I want to go next. Calbright didn’t redefine my abilities. It helped me realize how transferable and valuable they really are.
Turns out a layoff isn’t the end: It’s the start of a comeback. This isn’t just my resume, it’s my glow-up. Career curveball? Caught it. Rebranded. Relaunched.
I live in Hayward, in Alameda County, and one of the best things about Calbright is how it connects learners all across California. Even as an online college, it never felt distant because the support, collaboration, and energy were real.
Ready to pivot like I did? If you’re thinking of reskilling, switching industries, or simply leveling up, Calbright is here to help you rewrite your career story, just like I did.
