I don’t talk about my 9-5 enough even though it’s a HUGE part of my everyday life. I’ve been struggling trying to showcase BTS during the work week bc I’m really not doing anything fun as a basic working woman, but it hit me that we might all be in the same boat.

It’s crazy to me how I got here. My friends back home know I started off dreaming of becoming a pharmacist. Deep down inside, I knew that wasn’t it for me but it’s not like “public health” was broadly advertised as an option. I knew I wanted to do something health-related and did not see the plethora of options in the field.

So, how did I get here? Aside from failing ochem and calc (LOL, I eventually got an A in Calc after THREE attempts), I started doing my own research. I started off at a community college, so as I was prepping my transfer maps, the roadmap to public health seemed like everything I was searching for but didn’t exactly know it existed. It’s funny how things just align sometimes!

If you’re a working professional or if you’re on the hunt for a stable 9-5, the following resources have helped me navigate my 9-5 “cubicle” life — from the pre-interview process to staying at the job.

Career Contessa

Career Contessa has been my go-to resource since undergrad. They have webinars, opportunities to find coaching, downloads, e-learning opportunities, job listings, articles, etc. I have utilized some worksheets + templates to help me post-grad school especially with negotiation.

I’m also currently reading Power Moves, written by Lauren McGoodwin, the Founder and CEO of Career Contessa. So far, I’m loving it! It’s such a good resource for those feeling stuck at their job and are wanted to feel inspired to make moves. She also acknowledges the role social media plays in people’s lives, especially millennials who grew up with social media. We tend to compare ourselves to each other’s fancy titles not realizing we are ultimately labeling ourselves based our jobs, and that’s not WHO we are!

Clever Girl Finance

This has been my ultimate go-to resource for all things finance. Everyone needs a good idea of how their finances are. Trust me, I used to be SCARED of this and kinda turned a blind eye to my bank account. Since Clever Girl Finance, I’ve learned about budgeting and debt repayment when I signed up for their courses! They even have courses/lessons for those wanting to learn how to save for a house or wedding (eek!!).

I am also a huge fan of the Clever Girls Know podcast. Nothing better than learning about finance while you’re in the shower, right? *shrugs*

Anti-Racism Daily

I love this resource and find it vital in any workplace. I’m lucky to be working in a place where racial equity drives a lot, if not all, of our work. Since this movement may not be as prevalent in other work settings, I highly recommend subscribing to their email list. Of course, this has to do with a ton of unlearning and undoing, but our baby steps each day can have a compound effect! Change starts with us.

Career Girl Daily

Career Girl Daily is pretty similar to Career Contessa but has a more editorial/blogging feel to it. They share lifestyle + career articles to support and empower women at work and cover topics from goal setting to finance to productivity.

InHerSight

This is similar to Glassdoor except InHerSight also includes women sharing their personal experiences at their companies. These reviews are meant to reflect what women may want to know about employers such as how they handle maternity leave. This resource allows women to find companies best fit for them and foster a thriving work experience.

Bonus!

Of course, no 9-5 experience is complete without WELLNESS. So bonus tip? Well+Good has been my go-to if I need any inspiration with mind and body. If you’re also looking for more, Kourtney Kardashian’s Poosh has all the content on wellness.

And that’s it! Hope you find these resources super helpful as well. Share some of your favs, if they’re not already listed!