I am considering a change in my professional career

[Jennifer (Tink)]

Hi all,

So during my whole enlightenment period a nagging thought has been plucking at the back of my brain. I haven't been happy in my job for a while now. More specifically, I thrive in an environment where I know that I am helping people. Even when times are super stressful, again I thrive knowing that what I am producing is ultimately protecting people.

So what has changed? My current position isn't what I would equate to what I am looking for. So I have been doing a lot of thinking.

What are my best qualities and what do I want to do in my life.

Well, I would consider myself an expert in Software Development, Architecture, Engineering as well as Hardware / Network engineering. Also include wireless technology and mass communication systems.

I really want to help and give back to the LGBTQA+ community. The trick is how to combine these two loves in a way that makes sense.

So I have decided I am going to investigate what types of services I can provide as well as expand existing systems for the betterment of the community.

I honestly don't know what any of that means yet and I don't plan on just throwing caution to the wind. I tend to plan and organize things to make sure I have everything in place before making a jump. However, a jump is what may need to happen at the end of this analysis. 

I am excited to go down this road. It would mean that I would be taking my work and future into my own hands. But it would make my life feel much more fulfilling.

If anyone has any thoughts on what kinds of things can be built / provided / served to the LGBTQA+ community, please post a comment. I know this may sound vague and I do have my own thoughts I am mulling around, but I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks,

:hugs:

-- Jenn

[Valerie]

Well things that would come to mind for me would be apps, websites, or any other ways of technological ways to benefit homeless LGBT youth to get to safe spaces help them with finding safe shelters, protect them from any people who would sexually prey on them offering them a place to sleep for sexual favors, which is an extremely high risk that happens a lot! Like maybe a certain app/site that other homeless youth could connect help one another to warn about predatory people, but also have shelters linked in and be able to reach out to these kids. Although most homeless youth may not have a smartphone so having an app/website linked together could help in those kids going to library to find them as well.

Idk when I think of giving back to community I instantly think of the youth because if there's ever anyone who's in most danger in LGBT community it would be our youth especially those who live in not so safe homes, areas, etc. also making it that would also be international and not just US based could help others in other countries.

Other needs could be something that like an app or etc that protects LGBT+ sex workers to be able to network and warn each other of clients that could be harmful or violent. So they could look out for each other. Also maybe a way to help sex workers hide their location in their phones when they meet up, or travel to keep them safe from clients being able to track them.

Another way could be since let's be honest hook up culture is huge especially with apps so another protective looking out for each other way would be networking way to warn of cat fishers, predatory people, violent people, drug abusers, or sexual assault, etc

And maybe a clothing exchange or free clothing thing for trans community. I know there's a tumblr blog called the "transclothingexchange" which I've posted on before offering clothes I don't wear anymore to others.

Maybe a networking kinda thing that helps trans people find medical doctors & insurances that are actually trans friendly and people can review, give experiences, etc

That's what I thought of so far

[Jennifer (Tink)]

We think alike

I was thinking of similar options as well. Though your ideas are much more fleshed out than where I currently am.

All great ideas that I will incorporate into a solid plan.

Thanks !

-- Jenn

[Deleted]

I love all your ideas and Valerie's too.

But... I wouldn't just up and change my career especially if you have retirement, seniority and a level of success already. You can work behind the scenes though anonymously. You can create an app, make it free. You can do all kinds of things in which you don't have to expose yourself to your employers and once you have retired then you can go full throttle and all out.

If you need to jump and plan on going full out as a trans person then make sure that there is a net at the bottom of the cliff you jump off of. I don't want to bring you down but everything that I have chose to do has been a hard row to hoe just because I wanted to be able to express femininity even if only in private. I could have been retired from the military by now. But the pull was way too strong. I could have been a cop and probably a detective or maybe even Police Chief or maybe even elected to be a County Sheriff by now but I turned the cop job down because I had a strong desire to shave my legs and underarms and have long hair. So I stuck with driving trucks. No retirement, no respect but even cops now don't get respect, so nothing other than fucking trucks and having to deal with drivers. I make an OK living and sit home now more often than not. But if one little thing goes wrong then I have no 401K or union or retirement to lean on. As a matter of fact I will be doing this sit until the day I die except I won't be driving at all. I'll still be working though, making decisions and so on. Even if I make it to eighty, I'll still be working or starve. I can be out of business tomorrow with no "safety net" other than savings.

The only thing I have is that I could go down the road dressed how I wanted to dress, have pierced ears and long hair and wear makeup. I kept Noxema in the truck and nail polish remover in order to get fuel and eat or shower. I mean I have given up a lot of security just for self expression. I was as good as going into the Academy but just couldn't do it because I had to be feminine with long hair instead of a guaranteed retirement.

So Jennifer, think really hard. Your age and how close to being able to retire you are and so on. I gave up a lot and even though it may not seem like it because I have been somewhat lucky in the trucking industry but not that lucky, in order to be called a sidewalk sissy at times by other drivers. The "Gay Bay" being home to some dispatchers and other drivers. I can go on and on.

There are a lot of things you can do behind the scenes besides giving up a whole career. There are a lot of things you can do anonymously too until you can get full benefits from a union or your company. But weigh your options. I maybe would have stayed in the Military if I wouldn't have been so young and trans, 25 years old, when my four years were up. I may have retired from a police department or close to it when I applied for it and trans, 30 years old, and have all kinds of union benefits.

Just think about it though. If I can remember right, you work or either work for the government or for a company that contracts with the government???? If so then you can somewhat freely express yourself or complain to the federal government and the company will lose its contracts. Companies that contract with the government are usually upheld to the same standards as the government. And yeah I drove for a contracted company for the US government before and the government dictated my pay, rights and so on as government employees.

[Jennifer (Tink)]

Oh dont get me wrong. I am not ready to jump off without a plan. I was looking at ideas well before this whole journey started. It was just more business focused.