Breaking the Cycle: Work to Live, Don't Live To Work

By Camille Hill, Orange County Regional President

I come to GenerationDrive with the aspiration to break the long cycle that plagues U.S. families, individuals, and now more than ever young professionals.  My mother was a single mother of three.  She worked long days equaling 40 plus hours a week.  She did every and anything to make sure we had a roof over our heads,clothing on our backs, and food in our stomachs.  Her schedule was not flexible therefore she was not able to come to all my school events and was not there for me emotionally.  As the oldest of the three, I was her right hand.  I spent a large portion of my child hood helping raise my brother and sister.  I do not blame my mother for these things because back then she worked every option she could to ensure her family is well but now that I’m older and want to eventually start a family I realized I cannot fall into cycle.  I want to be there for every great moment in my child’s life.  I remember being one of the few that didn’t have their mother at the recital or speech and debate tournament.  I refuse to work 40 plus hours a week and not be there for my children.  I want the flexible schedule to be there for my children, make a decent living, all while making a difference in my community.  I’m a few months away from finishing my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and will be continuing on with my Doctorate in Psychology.  I chose this career path because I want to work for myself.  Working for others,  I easily become frustrated working under someone else’s mission and vision.  I’m choosing to to ensure my values are encompassed in my everyday work and are not compromised. As educated as I am I’m definitely underpaid.  Some say I have no right to complain, at least I have a job, but after investing thousands of dollars and hours into my education, I can.  I’m not going to live paycheck to paycheck and live under stress and anxiety just to barely get by.   Unlike many that complain, I’m here to take action for our generation and so many in my exact same position.  Do not settle or fall into this cycle.  GenerationDrive can help you explore these options.