I am always observing. Observing patterns in opinion, behavior, reactions, systems, all of it. At the core of this business, J.O. Strategies, are observations on the job market, the workforce, and shifts in the economy. It matters to me because it was a large part of my career, and because it is at the center of everyone’s life right now. Inequitable and greedy systems are feasting. Individuals and their communities are starving for direction.
When I started this project over a year ago, I barely knew what I was doing. I had just moved to a new city, continuing a self-discovery phase in life, and I knew I had to create something, but I just did the thing everyone else was doing. You do important jobs and climb the ladder so that you can become a consultant, right? That’s at least what I kept seeing in the social impact field. Graduating from Harvard felt like a curse more than a gift. It felt like I had graduated with a never-ending litmus test on success, orgullo latino, first-generation excellence, etc. I was fatigued with the 9-5, and offering my skills to the wind was the most tangible thing I knew to do. Well, that’s not true. Months before that, before I went on a short-lived sabbatical (lol - I might go into that more in the future), I leaned into creative musings and brought them to life. It was so freeing and joyful, but it didn’t pay rent.
Which brings me to today - the noise around us is chaotic. The noise is elevated to our consciousness on a daily, hourly, ongoing basis, against our will, by the exact design of the algorithmic lords. Geopolitical warfare, conflicting job market reports, and competing hot takes on childhood trauma, vying for your attention. We are left with a million drafts of our resumes, a stack of books and podcasts on leadership advice, and a general sense of inadequacy.
Since the pandemic, I’ve witnessed talented friends, colleagues, and the top of the top dismayed and defeated at the failure of the promise of resilience, growth, and wealth in the job market.
I spent the last few months revisiting these very observations that gave birth to J.O. Strategies. I have revised my services, my relationship to the work, and my overall goals. I can’t wait to share them with you over the next few weeks.
But this space here is where I connect with you. Informally, in honesty, and expanded from the bounds of buttoned-up newsletters and social media posts. I see you and the challenges you are navigating in whatever stage of your career you find yourself in. It will mostly be me breaking down job market phenomena, sharing business updates, and featuring guests who have their own observations.
You’re not alone; you are enough. Excited to move forward with you.
See you in the next post.
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