Hi Siddarth,

Thanks for writing to us and congratulations on being cancer free!  You are asking great questions, and it is important to think everything through. First I have to say it’s wonderful to hear that your employer was supportive of your time off during treatment, but it’s also completely understandable that you still want to stick with the plan that you envisioned for yourself pre-diagnosis.  Many cancer patients and survivors say that their experience has served as a catalyst for personal and professional change in their lives, so know that you aren’t alone in wanting a “fresh start”. I would recommend you think about a few things:

• If you haven’t been back to work post-treatment yet, have you thought about your energy levels and any ongoing side effects and how they might impact you specifically at work? There could be value in returning to your existing job to start to really get back in the game workwise, and see what if any lingering challenges you may have so that you can mitigate them.


• Do you know what kind of role or job you would like to move towards? As you said you don’t want to leave the company if possible, so does that mean there is something there that fits your criteria?


• What kind of relationship do you have with your manager? Are you close? Do you talk about your long-term work goals? Has he/she been an advocate for your growth while you’ve worked from him/her? Have you been in touch while you have been on leave? Was your manager the first person you told about your cancer? Thinking through all this will give you a lot of important insight into how to have this conversation, if you choose to do so, before you return to work.

I’ve reached out to our career coaches to get further insight into your situation, but in the meantime, the following resources might be helpful:

• Cancer as Inspiration for Career Changes: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/cancer-as-inspiration-for-career-changes
  

• Career Change Webinar recording: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/career-change
  

• Back to Work After Cancer resources: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/back-to-work-after-cancer
  

I hope this is helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at cancerandcareers@cew.org or 646-929-8032.

A coach will be in touch soon!

Kind regards,

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Manager of Programs

Hey Nicole thanks for the reply, those are actually quite a few things I never really thought about! to answer a few of them:

I haven't been back to work yet, but I've been coding (my job at work) during my treatment off for personal projects. Though they don't have the same sort of deadline feeling it is a similar line of work. I do see the benefit of trying to ease back into it instead of making a dramatic change upon return.

I wanted to push towards a manager role which I've greatly expressed to my manager, but unfortunately with the time off someone else has been promoted in our team which closes that door for me (at least in my team). There is a new team opening up within the company that I could possibly work for if they need the staff.

I'd like to think I have a rather good relationship with my manager. I spoke with him first from the beginning of not know what I had all the way to the final treatment. He even came to visit me in the hospital during one of my infusions! He understands that I want to be a manger of some sorts, but I also understand that there's only so much he can do. He can't create a role out of thin air, and others with far more work experience may be seeking the same opportunity.

I hope this helps and thanks again.

Hi, Siddarth,

I want to add my hearty congratulations for walking through your treatment and coming out the other end of that tunnel.   The challenge alone was quite an achievement.

I have to strongly support Nicole's recommendation that you use your current position to assess your readiness for a move, and to determine if there are any lingering side effects that you will have to overcome.  At the same time, use the role you are in now to show your manager and your team the recommitment you are making to the organization and to the team of which you are a part.  Seek out  ways to be helpful.  Inquire how you can make the most difference where you are, then exceed expectations in the assignments you are given.  Ask for clarity around the goals your manager has given you  if needed, then documeent how you have made a difference and achieved your goals.  

It seems that your desire to grow into a management role is one that has persisted for a long while, even prior to your diagnosis.   That your manager was aware of your career ambitions prior to your diagnosis is a good thing.  You are right in understanding that your manager cannot create a role for you that doesn't exist right now, but your manager CAN help you strategize on the best course of action to eventually reach your goal.  Your first performance review after resuming your job will be plenty of time to bring up your career aspirations, since you have stated that your manager is well aware of your career goal already.

The exception to this would be the new team that is being created.  Anyone who is a strong performer for the organzation with the skills required will most likely be considered for the management role of that team. Strong performance post cancer will be important to your candidacy.  So, if it is opening up soon, show youer best stuff every single day! And do let the hiring manager and your own boss know of your interest in being considered for the job.

Whether you get that one or not, as your organization grows and your accomplishments continue to make a difference, your fit for newly developed opportunities will be obvious.   That said, continue to make your goals known, while doing stellar work where you are.   Seek out projects that allow you to cross-train.  Seek out opportunities to lead projects within your own team, to prove your leadership capabilities.   Seek out training in the newest areas of your profession so that you are highly qualified for the role you desire.  Seek out a mentor in the area where you want to work, and follow the advice of this mentor and of those who have achieved the level to which you aspire.

Give your career progression time, though.  Most of us get to managerial levels by building relationships, doing outstanding work, and getting involved in visible projects where the outcome is vital to company success.   This takes care and strategically building a network and relationships across the board.  Make your boss and your team look really, really good.   Shine when given the chance on the platform, and offer your expertise wherever appropriate.   

Then, if it pays off within your firm, fantastic!  If not, you will be well prepared to conduct a search for a role at a higher level, with accomplishments that prove your capability to perform as a leader.

Best of luck in this endeavor.   I have no doubt that you will succeed.

Kathy Flora, Career Coach and grateful cancer survivor.

Thank you for the reply Kathy. I think at this point I need to get over the mental block that my career really did halt after I was diagnosed. I need to ramp it up again. I'll ask my manager to start me off with things I did when I first started. I'll try not to jump into anything too stressful/demanding just in case my illness has left me with some unknown side effects. Who knows? Maybe prioritizing my career over other things has changed since my illness!