Navigating Uncharted Territory: A Greenwich Social Worker Takes a Detour

By Cerissa Orbegoso

Finding yourself in uncharted territory in any facet of your life can be terrifying. Anxiety can spill over into your self-esteem, question your self-worth, as well as any decision you have made thus far.

In my case, I found myself in this position for the first time professionally after ringing in 2015.

As I paid my graduate school student loan, tears streaming down my face; I wondered what I was going to do. I knew I needed a break from my social work career but was unclear where to turn.

People are not kind when you are in this position. I found potential employers questioning my choice to try something different, sneering at me and interrogating me as if stepping out of my professional comfort zone was something entirely unheard of. I walked into my current employer’s store, Consigned Couture, and for the first time in several weeks, was greeted with a smile and soon after, offered a job.

I am learning everyday about working in retail, running a website as well as several social media outlets.

I have also learned a valuable lesson, that a smile and taking a chance on someone can move mountains for that person. My boss, with her kindness and generosity has helped me regain confidence in myself, squashed anxiety and has helped me explore a new side of myself. She has helped remind me that there is good in the world even when my universe was personally rocked.

Cerissa Orbegoso inside Consigned Couture on East Elm Street in Greenwich.

I hope that local employers will continue to take chances on people who are facing unemployment, a change in their lives or just seeking an opportunity to try something new. I believe that everyone has something to offer and that a paper resume does not do a candidate justice. A smile and giving someone a chance to thrive is priceless and I will be forever grateful for this gift that was given to me.

Consigned Couture has changed my life, I am happy at work and given creative opportunities that I never knew I had a passion for before coming to work here. As I write this I am smiling, I will always be a social worker and one day will return to the field, but today, I am happy working and exploring a new side of me.

Greenwich Free Press -

Navigating Uncharted Territory: A Greenwich Social Worker Takes a Detour

By: greenwichfreepress | March 17, 2015