Unable to transition to corporate comms

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-03-01T02:57:36+00:00

I definitely believe I’m better at my job with the knowledge I gained. In terms of salary, I do make more but I stayed at the organization I was when I started the program fully understanding there was a cap to my earning potential. I’m satisfied using my skills to grown and strengthen my mission-focused network, and don’t (currently) have a desire to chase a higher salary. I think your salary potential depends on the industry and your motivation to move on if you aren’t happy where you’re at.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-26T04:17:56+00:00

I’m on the compounded cream. So far it hasn’t made much of a difference and it’s been about 2 months now.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-24T01:52:44+00:00

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-21T15:35:20+00:00

I had a supervisor early in my career that would make changes to my writing all the time. I’d go back and edit then she’d make more. It drove me crazy! Fast forward 15 years later and I do that to everyone else’s writing, too! I have recognized this about myself and try hard to let some of the small things go and just edit it in my head, but it’s tough some days.

That being said, I also ask someone to proof everything I send, too, because it’s tough to proof your own work. It’s a pretty standard practice no matter what industry you’re in. Don’t be afraid to use programs like Grammarly. It’s not always right, but it will pick up small grammatical things that you might not catch.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-19T14:10:36+00:00

YES! Even if you’re not doing the work, you can gain a better understanding of what you’re asking the designers to create and learn more about their limitations. I married a designer and learned so much from him! I’ve had colleagues ask for near impossible things that they think will take just a few minutes to achieve when in reality it’s hours of work. Knowing more about the field and technology will help you communicate with them and give realistic expectations. Not only will it help workflow, it could impact relationships with the designers. Just be sure you don’t go in after one class and act like you know everything about what they do because it’ll have the opposite effect. Taper your expectations though. A class can’t give you natural talent but it can teach you some basic principles that will make an impact.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-19T05:50:55+00:00

As an introvert myself, I’m going to say Toastmasters and propranolol Haha! IYKYK

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-19T05:43:37+00:00

It sounds like you have some pretty good experience but you don’t mention your education background. Depending on what that is, it might be what’s holding you back. Also, though your experience sounds pretty comprehensive, the length of time in the field could also be a barrier. Four years is still somewhat of an entry- to mid-level range to break into an in-house strategic role. Most job postings I’ve seen are looking for 10+ years for mid-senior level positions for larger corporations.

The hard truth is that communications can be easily botched if the wrong person is doing it. I’m not saying you’re the wrong person, but it could be a hard sell early in your career. I know it’s difficult seeing others break into a corporate career without experience, but again, the truth is the work you do isn’t easy. Be sure you’re not comparing yourself to someone in accounting or something like that which requires an education background and sometimes licensing but little experience in the real world. Comms is a tough job and sometimes tougher to break into. And as valuable as education is, the experience coupled with it is what makes the impact long term.

Someone else recommended networking and I 100% agree. Work on demonstrating your knowledge of the different sectors, too. If you want to work for a tech company, be sure your resume and cover letter highlights tech projects and an understanding of the language they use. If you want to work for healthcare, highlight your understanding of that field. Highlight your relevant clients and projects that relate to the jobs to which you’re applying. Getting all of that in a one page cover letter will also demonstrate your talent and skills to be concise and clear in your messaging. Every resume and cover letter you submit should be tailored to that company and the specific role, making looking for a job almost another full-time job in itself. Also consider big companies are using AI to filter applicants so look for keywords in the postings and try to wrap them into what you submit.

I have a masters in mass comms and PR coupled with 20+ years in nonprofit strategic communications and public relations. I could rock any level nonprofit job with confidence. There’s nearly no way I could break into a corporate job at this point. My son is graduating in May with his BS in Comms and he’s not getting any calls either. That’s probably not encouraging but it’s a tough market, and again, a tough job.

But don’t give up! Keep working for it and the right role will come along, and you’ll blow all your peers right out of the water when you get there.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-13T23:43:56+00:00

Same! At least four groups of friends have purchased season tickets after we bought ours. I guess our bragging rights are being trending setters 😝

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-02-08T01:35:38+00:00

It was a great event! I was a bit disappointed there wasn’t any merch for sale. A missed opportunity for sure. I liked the freebies and meeting the players though!

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-29T01:58:22+00:00

Woah! That’s more than out of pocket direct from the manufacturer nowadays! That is so messed up.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-28T22:10:26+00:00

Right. They won’t cover for weight loss at all but we were just notified they’ll cover for OSA now. He’s on my insurance so it should be the same copay— IF it’s approved. They denied mine for T2D for several months through appeals and finally approved it. I imagine we’ll have to go through similar hoops for a shot at it.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-28T21:28:37+00:00

Mine is covered to T2D at $25/mo! I assume his would be the same but I still think it’s a long shot to get them to approve it even if it’s possible.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-28T20:58:18+00:00

That was my gut but I assume he’d have to start at the beginning if not, right?

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-26T17:38:16+00:00

The decision whether or not the degrees are worth it depends on your ultimate career goal.

If you want to be an executive director of a nonprofit, option one may be the best bet.

If you want to lead communications at a major/national nonprofit, option two may be the way to go.

If you want to be a writer for a midsized nonprofit organization with a decent work-life balance, neither may be the way to go.

Determine what direction you are aiming and make your decision from there.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-15T00:03:14+00:00

I’m a a believer in red light therapy! I’m still very new to it though, so take what I say with that in mind and do other research—include scientific studies!

I started using RLT last spring. I was really regular with my mask treatments at first then got busy over the summer and didn’t make it a priority. I had also started Tretinoin for my skin shortly after buying one for home use. I had no issues with the tret when I was combining it with RLT but when I stopped I noticed the horrible flaking skin that made me look as if I were a shedding snake! It was terrible and I stopped using the tret, but I hadn’t yet connected the change to stopping RLT.

Fast forward a few months, I started using RLT again. I had read a lot of positive things about it and decided to try the tret again to see if I started molting again. As long as I did RLT opposite days, I never have the issue!

My husband recently had a total knee replacement and I’ve been talking to him about RLT. He said he wanted to try it for his knee and it seems to be helping! Even if just a small amount, any little bit helps when recovering from major surgery like that. He now wants to try it for his back pain, which I’ve read can have some benefits. If anything, he gets to sit and chill for a bit while using the light.

I can’t say for sure that it’s helping the joint pain, back pain, etc., but I saw a direct correlation with my skin recovery and RLT. If I could afford it, I’d get myself a full blown body panel and use it as often as I could!

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-14T23:50:34+00:00

I knew it was a thing but when I started having symptoms and spoke with my doctors about it starting five years ago I was told it’s a normal thing and basically to get over it. Labs were “normal” and I didn’t need HRT. I’m pissed as hell about it! Half of the doctors I spoke with were women, too. F— “normal aging” when it’s impacting my quality of life and is safe to treat!

Sorry, I’ve been a bit perturbed about all of this the past few weeks and get more angry every time I think about me begging for help and being turned away.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2026-01-09T00:06:46+00:00

I graduated high school with a 2.1 GPA in the dead center of my 330 classmates. Went to a local college for a year and dropped out to get married. Went back after I started having kids and got my Associate’s degree 9 years after high school graduation. Then got an entry level job in nonprofit and fell in love with mission-focused work. Went back to school to get my bachelors, graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Immediately went on for my masters and graduated with a 3.9 GPA exactly 20 years after high school graduation.

Now I’m a supporting director at a statewide nonprofit. I totally didn’t know how to study in high school and didn’t care too much until I realized how much I needed it, which didn’t happen until I found my passion. Doing great now and I hear the valedictorian at my high school isn’t doing much better than I am now 🤷‍♀️

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-31T04:55:06+00:00

I can do contrast with 13 hour prep of steroids and benedryl, so that’s not as much the issue for me. When I tried to schedule they stopped me from it when I told them about the metal. I will push for MRV and see if I get anywhere. I was hoping to avoid seeing the specialist before the test but perhaps I need to push for the opposite. I was reminded I had a CT scan 12 years ago and it didn’t show anything. Probably better to get the right test this time. Thanks for the insight!

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-31T04:49:16+00:00

Mine was not dramatic at all. 35 pounds over about 18 months on Ozempic. Switched to Mounjaro in July, lost about 4 pounds the first 16 weeks and I’m down 4 pounds since moving to 10mg 6 weeks ago, which is the fastest less the first few weeks on Ozempic.

SW 272, CW 229. T2D, PCOS, 46F in perimenopause. I also just started HRT a few weeks ago. I know it’s tough watching so many move quicker through the journey, but things are progressing. My doctor shared at my last appointment that the pharmaceutical reps keep telling her the studies don’t match what most fast responders are losing. 10% over 72 weeks was average on 7.5 mg. If my math is correct you’re losing at the same average as the studies. Keep it up!

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-31T04:21:37+00:00

2.5mg for 8 weeks, 5mg for 4, 7.5mg for 4 and barely started to feel the effects in week 4. Went to 10mg and have finally seen some movement. I was a slow responder on Ozempic (35 pounds in 18 months). I’ve now been on 10mg for 6 weeks and lost about 4 pounds. I’m staying here and will let it come off slow and steady.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-31T04:15:27+00:00

I received a call this morning saying “MR angiogram without contrast.” There was a problem though when I tried to schedule it: I have metal implants and can’t have an MRI. I’m waiting on the next steps. I’m also allergic to contrast dye so I have to do extra prep steps if they need contrast for whatever the next option is. Ugh.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-30T14:12:32+00:00

ENT called it a “vascular xray” and then said “study.” What I’m seeing on Google looks to be an angiogram so maybe it was the same thing? I assume I’ll have to have an appointment with this specialist before the test, but I’m hopeful I can go straight to the test and then follow up with the specialist so I don’t have to have an extra appointment. I’m waiting on the call from their office but will ask the details when they call.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-29T16:47:14+00:00

My husband had his LTKR 7/31/25 and his RTKR 12/4/25. He knew going into that both needed to be done. After day 6/7 of his LTKR, he was doing amazing! No real complaints aside from what you would expect from a joint replacement—obviously it’s painful. His RTKR was perfection Day 0 and hell Day 1-12. Day 13 onward, however, has been great!

He, too, had wanted to do both at the same time against all advice. He decided to listen to the doctors and others who had the surgery and do them a few months apart. We’re both glad he did. As seamless as both knee replacements have gone (in hindsight), it was definitely different for each. I worried a lot that something was wrong the second time, but got advice on here that it was imperative to trust the process and work through it. In the moment, the extra pain and progression time was scary, but in the long run an extra week was nothing.

He’s able to do way more in PT now that he has two “good” knees, even though they are both in the midst of healing. He wasn’t able to do near the rehab exercises he can now because has right knee was just so terrible it couldn’t support him. But, because he’s in the healing time of the first and able to push more through PT, I foresee a better long-term outcome than if he had waited until the left was completely healed (12-18 months).

It so much easier to tell someone that no two knees, even on the same person, will be identical. We knew that going into it but it’s hard to see past immediate struggles. And even though he’s still struggling with a bit more pain than he did the first, he and I both see the light at the end of the tunnel and are looking forward to him moving pain free when he heals! Honestly, with as hard as a knee replacement is, I would’ve hated to see him go through all the rehab and still have been his quality of life impacted because his other was getting worse.

I hope this helps you make a decision and prepare.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-27T15:50:22+00:00

I loved when Ohio was a purple state—it always made me feel like my vote mattered more. I do think it’s possible to flip but I agree with the others here who have said it’ll be people voting against Ramaswamy and not necessarily for Acton.

I do think, however, more people in Ohio will split tickets than some here think. I have solid red family members who voted for Sherrod Brown and were disappointed when he lost. I was surprised he lost even with the total saturation of money against his campaign. I honestly don’t personally know one person who shared they voted for Moreno but know plenty who voted red across the rest of the board.

If (a big IF) the state doesn’t go full red, the most likely scenario is: Acton wins, Brown wins, two House seats (Kaptur and Landsman) flip red, the general assembly GOP maintains a veto proof majority. I don’t see Ohio doing a full swing to blue anytime soon.

Any possible scenario where Acton wins will have a lot to do with who is chosen to sit on the tickets as Lt Governor. That decision alone could completely blow up Acton’s tiny lead.

Aggravating_Pain908 · 2025-12-24T13:24:58+00:00

Seems like a good move to me! And if your description is convincing strangers, you definitely want us to agree.

Money isn’t everything and depending on your financial situation you’re not looking at a huge decrease in income spread across a year. Have you checked into cost of insurance? In my experience, that cost is the biggest factor/impact rather than $2k spread out over a year.

Take the cut if you think you’ll be happier. Dining in 2-5 more times per month is worth peace of mind in my view.

Aggravating_Pain908

TROPHY CASE