Office Worker Pivots to Courier Role, Revealing Unexpected Realities
The world is moving incredibly fast. Rapid technological developments are altering the landscape of the labour market. Frequently, these changes can drastically overturn a person’s life path.
For those who adapt quickly, great opportunities await. However, many others find themselves ‘sidelined’ and must struggle to survive, even through non-ideal means.
Camila Valim, a 45-year-old woman from Brazil, recently went viral after sharing her career journey on social media. Once a Senior Marketing Executive (Head of Marketing) for an entertainment group, Valim now works as a food courier using an electric bike (e-bike).
Following her viral moment, Valim detailed her experiences in an essay published by Business Insider. She recounted her decision to leave the corporate world after spending more than two decades in the industry.
Valim admitted she left her role as Head of Marketing due to mental exhaustion, or burnout. She subsequently pivoted to start a career as a professional organiser.
She built a small business via Instagram which initially found success. However, a divorce five years ago forced the mother of two to return to the corporate world.
Valim returned to the industry she knew well: marketing. She worked as a marketing consultant, but her contract ended eight months ago.
Amidst the onslaught of advanced technology impacting the wider job market, Valim has struggled to find new marketing roles. In the last eight months, she has only secured two job interviews.
This situation has intensified the financial pressure of managing household expenses as a single parent providing for her two children, aged 9 and 12.
“I recently progressed far in the interview process for a Head of Brand and Communications position. It felt like my last lifeline,” she wrote, as quoted from Business Insider.
The interview offered a glimmer of hope that she would not have to sell her house to survive and could maintain her family’s lifestyle. Unfortunately, while picking up her children from school, Valim received news that the position had been offered to another candidate.
“That was when I knew I had to make a very serious decision and take unpleasant steps,” she wrote.
Becoming an Online Food Courier
In the midst of these difficult circumstances, Valim took advice from a cousin to become a food courier for an online platform using an e-bike. She has been performing this role while searching for a new corporate position.
“The process was very fast, and I was approved to start delivering in a short time. The job is flexible and suits my schedule as a single parent. I can continue to support my children, search for corporate work, and rebuild my organising business simultaneously,” she shared.
Valim noted that she has learned many lessons while working as an online food courier, such as a much stricter sense of punctuality than she had ever faced before. On her bike, Valim feels a sense of freedom and finds moments for reflection.
She admitted to gaining new insights and ideas while cycling. For instance, she had the idea to print her story and CV to distribute directly to people.
“I will accept income in any form and do whatever it takes to survive. I am working on growing my Instagram account again. I know I may have to sell my house, but I am grateful to have it as a backup plan to raise more funds to put food on the table,” she explained.
Many Share Similar Experiences
According to Valim, being a food courier serves as a bridge for her until her house is sold. She recognises that she cannot support two children solely through food delivery and is determined to pursue the next chapter of her career.
“I posted an Instagram reel about how my life at 45 is not going as I imagined. The post went viral and has been viewed nearly 900,000 times. I think it went viral because I refused to feel ashamed, and I hope I am giving others permission to stop feeling ashamed too,” said Valim.
Initially, Valim thought her content would primarily resonate with women. However, it has also resonated with men.
“Many women and men have messaged me, saying they have never told anyone they are in the same position. I think this shows how much silence surrounds this situation for everyone,” she concluded.