The Real Reason I've Been Away For So Long

And why the past few months have been among the toughest in my life

Photo by Kevwe Eru on Unsplash

Just under two years ago, I had to leave a job I liked because of a racist supervisor who saw me as a threat. He never took the time to understand that I was never interested in his job. I’m a family person, driven by purpose and passion. If the cause speaks to me, I will join it and give everything to help make people’s lives better. Even though I know I can lead a team, it’s not the part that interests me the most. If you have me on your side, you’ll have a loyal, hardworking individual who will stay the course and weather the storm with you.

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Yes, despite my favorite mentor’s best advice, my career has always been driven by mission and purpose. So much so that I have jumped into jobs without looking, and that’s what happened last year. A former colleague contacted me about a program aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality in Africa, and I was already sold. With hindsight, I realize that I should have been more prudent.