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- I was laid off last year and have only managed to get 1 job interview. I have 20 years of experience and am worried about my future. (businessinsider.com)
Local Journalist Pivots to Consulting After Frustrating Job Hunt
Baltimore, MD – After decades of dedicated work in journalism and communications, Shaun Chavis, 58, found herself in an unexpected and disheartening position: laid off and facing a brick wall of silence from potential employers. Despite a stellar 20-year career, Chavis has been “ghosted” by dozens of companies after submitting over 100 job applications since last June, prompting her to take control of her destiny by launching her own Substack consultancy, BraveEvelyn.
Chavis, who recently relocated to Baltimore to be closer to family, expressed her bewilderment at the lack of responses. “With nearly 20 years of experience across journalism, communications, and marketing, I really did not expect to be out of work this long,” she shared. The reality has been stark, with only one interview and a complete absence of screening calls, despite her thoughtful and targeted application approach.
The emotional toll of constant rejections without feedback has been significant. Chavis theorizes that ageism or concerns about being able to afford her extensive experience might be at play. “It’s been so mentally difficult to keep putting applications out there and getting rejected with no feedback,” she admitted.
To make ends meet, Chavis has relied on family support and dipped into her life savings. Lifestyle adjustments have included cutting services like Netflix and postponing visits to the hairdresser. Even rebuilding her wardrobe after significant weight loss has presented a challenge, especially with Baltimore’s colder climate.
“Participating in the job market right now just feels like I’m hurting my mental health by continuing, as it’s just so terrible,” Chavis explained. This realization spurred her to channel her energy into a venture she could control.
Her new business, BraveEvelyn, leverages her expertise to assist companies with their content strategy on Substack. She’s already secured clients in concierge medicine, femtech, and healthtech, and is optimistic about future prospects in the healthtech sector.
Looking ahead, Chavis has ambitious plans to move to Mexico, driven by both the current sociopolitical climate and healthcare costs in the U.S. She hopes to obtain a digital nomad visa, anticipating a significantly lower cost of living while continuing her remote Substack work. She’s actively connecting with like-minded individuals and other Black Americans living in Mexico City, eager to build a supportive community.
“Being able to turn the tables so that you feel like you’re giving yourself space to succeed is so important,” Chavis concluded, embracing a future where she has greater financial and personal autonomy.