Overqualified & Stuck

Overqualified & Stuck

Dear MF’n Diary,

I’ve been chasing the post-COVID dream – remote work -- and well, let’s just say I’m running out of breath.

I even put a cute little picture of a home office on my vision board. I got the desk, and all the cute red and copper accessories. Just waiting on the job that’ll put me behind that desk.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy, considering I had been a clinical worker since 2015 and retail for years before that. I figured, though, once the recruiters saw all these transferable skills, I’d have options.

Naïve of me. Silly, really.

I’ve been a Dental Assistant, for over a decade now. What’s crazy is -- I took classes for Dental Office Admin. I was tired of being on my feet. Wanted a change.

I’m still on my feet—knees & hips holding on for dear life.

Trying to transition from retail to admin didn’t go as smoothly as I thought. Interview after interview, I honestly got positive feedback. But ultimately, they all wanted someone with some level of dental experience. So, I did what I do best. Pivot.

I figured I’d get in as a dental assistant, then work my way to front office.

I’m still in the fucking back. Lead Dental Assistant.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for my job. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ready to level up.

Now, I’m not talking about no Ciara type shit or even George & Weezy.

I’m just trying to comfortably pay all my bills… take a couple trips a year.

You know, regular shit. Carnival cruises & Cancun all-inclusives. The Middle-Class dream.

You’re probably waiting for me to explain how I’m actually overqualified. Well, I’ve been at my current job since 2018, a medical clinic that decided to start offering dental services to their patients. We started as a team of 3 – the dental director, a hygienist, & me the Lead Dental Assistant.

I helped build this department. Created the training manual. Trained every new hire on clinical workflows, systems, HIPAA, OSHA… everything.

I bridge the gap between clinical, front desk, & scheduling – minimizing confusion. I order the supplies & coordinate tech maintenance visits.

When things need to be fixed, explained, escalated to leadership – I handle that too. My email game is strong – I can CC with the best of them.

Long story short, I’m the MF’n Go-To.

Overqualified, stuck, and honestly – overlooked.

On an island in a department I helped build. The only black person. A black woman. When everybody breaks off & huddles up, I’m left at my desk. Alone. Until I’m needed for the next fix. Olivia Pope.

I’d actually love to stay, sounds bat shit, I know. But, if there was any real growth in this department, if they’d actually develop a management position, I’d gladly take it. I have sooo many ideas to help this department grow & shine. I even took a Social Media Marketing course in 2022, with the idea of posting dental content on the company’s socials.

Pitched that idea to the then, Outreach Director. Nothing.

So, what do you do when you find yourself bored, in a position you’ve outgrown, dreading the same mundane routine?

You get that pivot foot in motion and prepare to level the fuck up. I’m no longer waiting to be noticed, acknowledged, or promoted.

Write the vision and make it plain.

Remote operations or training enablement role focused on scalable onboarding and provider support.

Period.

I’m a Leader. A trainer. I organize. I advocate.

I’m Her.

And I’m ready to work & live at my full potential.

--A Word with Kai