Career change: Diane Griffin

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CAREER CHANGE OVER 50: Diane Griffin

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

Sometimes, a career change finds you when you aren’t even looking.

That is what happened to Diane Griffin of Winchester — two years ago. She was working with local businesses, selling advertising, when one of her clients presented her with an opportunity.

“I wasn’t looking for a new position or a new career at all — this happened sheerly by accident, and I am so glad it did,” said Griffin.

“I was actually talking to some senior liv ing communities about marketing with me, and I started talking to my now-executive director. I had no interest, but the more times that I went to the community, and the more times I spoke with her, I was so impressed.”

In August of 2018, Griffin signed on to become the sales and marketing director of Commonwealth Senior Living in Front Royal.

“I just had a good feeling — my intuition said to “just do it,” and my husband was also very encouraging.”

Going from having a sales territory for selling advertising to working in a senior living community was quite a change for Griffin.

“We have both assisted living and memory care. The most challenging thing for me was that I had no background whatsoever in healthcare, but my company provides great training that helps me understand the needs of families when they reach out to us,” she said.

She said that every day she is in awe of the work the staff does with its residents.

“One of the most enlightening things to me was how hard the frontline careg i v e r s work and especially in memory care with residents with dementia. I have so much respect for them,” said Griffin.

Ultimately, Griffin feels a greater sense of purpose — and happiness — in her newfound career.

“In my previous role, I was an independent contractor and enjoyed the job, but I didn’t feel as purposeful. The biggest change is that now I feel like I’m truly making a difference in someone’s life. It is very rewarding to know that you’re helping families during a stressful time,” she said.

“There is no comparison to my level of happiness and contentment. Even though I am still in sales and marketing and have numbers and goals to achieve like in any sales position, the rewards far outweigh any stress. I am just at a point in my life where I feel like I have perfect balance. When you know in your heart that you are in the right position, it doesn’t even feel like a job. My work family is more like a family and I look forward to being in my community.” Name: Diane Griffin Career-change age: Over 50 Previous career: Advertising New career: Sales and Marketing Director at Commonwealth Senior Living CONTRIBUTED

Did you know?

How households earn their income has changed dramatically over the last several decades. According to a Pew Research Centeral analysis of the Decennial Census and American Community Surveys integrated Pub- lic Use Microdata Sample files, in 1960 only fathers worked in 70 percent of American households. That figure has dropped in each ensuing decade and by 2012 fathers were the sole earners in just 31 percent of American households. While one in four households in American were dual income households in 1960, by 2012 that figure had risen to 60 percent. While those figures represent dramatic changes, the number of households in which mothers are the sole earners has not changed all that much since 1960. In 1960, mothers were the sole earners in just 2 percent of American households. Fifty-two years later 6 percent of American households featured mothers as the sole earners

citing and exotic locales, Orduna said perks like that will never beat out what she has since gained: more time with family, including her granddaughters, a slower pace of life and time to relax.

Something else she said she wouldn’t have experienced in her former career? The relationships she has made with her customers.

“Especially now fighting cancer for the second time, I never knew how many of my customers became my dear friends, have supported me through tough times and make me so happy. I never had that when I was so busy travel- ing and just have business acquaintances versus developing real friendships with my customers and establishing levels of trust one-on-one,” she said.

Yet another benefit is having the time to work with animal-related nonprofits.

“I also get to work with animal rescue which I love, getting animals adopted and fostering, and I can serve on boards in areas I am passionate about, such as WATTS and Dakota’s Dream Animal Rescue and doing drives for children in need,” she said.

“When you are gone all the time you cannot do that. I love that I can be giving back to the community that gives me so much.” Orduna From Page 11

my clients.”

Farinholt said it’s also been hard to shake the heightened sense of anxiety that often plagues small business own- ers. But the most challenging part of changing careers at this time in her life is the unknown.

“I got used to my routine and my way of doing things. Change is not easy, and learning a new way of life in my 50s has offered rewards and challenges,” she said.

One of the best surprises about switching careers is the extra energy Farinholt says she has at the end of the day — energy that her family directly benefits from.

“I used to barely talk in the evenings and would be in bed by 9 p.m., quite often from being so tired of going nonstop. Now I have time to breathe, and I am loving the conversations I am having after work and school with my kids and husband. And I have now been able to watch my grandchildren when my adult children need help or a break. I am able to really enjoy time with them instead of bringing them to my shop, putting in a movie, while I continued to work,” she said.

“I like to say that I haven’t had time to ‘breathe’ in quite a while. I can now take in deep breaths, exhale slowly and breathe each day.” Farinholt From Page 10