Choosing a Workplace

Guest post by Amanda Ramoutar

Choosing the Right Place to Work

As a woman, a mother, and a professional in education, there are many days when I feel lost. I’ve spent the last couple of years trying to figure out where I truly belong - not just where I can earn a paycheck, but where I can thrive. Like many women balancing family, values, and ambition, I’ve often found myself caught between opportunity and intention.

I've had numerous conversations with friends and colleagues who are weighing the pros and cons of working in different types of environments. For me, it has been about more than choosing between public or private, secular or faith-based. I place value on aligning with purpose and understanding what kind of environment allows me to bring my whole self to work.

It's Not Just About the Job

This might sound crazy, but my reality has been that job satisfaction is about more than mission statements or pay scales. It's about the people we work with and the culture we live in day to day. A toxic workplace, even in the most “ideal” setting, can leave you drained and discouraged. Conversely, a supportive community of colleagues can uplift you and make even the hardest days manageable.

Early in my career, I had the privilege of working with a mentor who modeled kindness, strength, and integrity. She didn’t just do her job - she lived her values. That experience taught me how powerful it is to work alongside people who lead with compassion and consistency.

When Idealism Meets Reality

There was a time I believed that working in a faith-based organization would automatically mean peace, harmony, and shared respect. But the truth is, no workplace is perfect. I’ve encountered difficult people in both public and private workplaces. I’ve been supported in places I didn’t expect and disheartened in areas I thought would be nurturing.

In the last couple of months, what changed wasn’t necessarily my environment, but how I choose to respond. I decide who I want to be, regardless of the behavior of others. This isn’t always easy, but there is something fulfilling about it.

Staying True to Yourself

A few tools I have developed to stay grounded are staying connected to my purpose and choosing kindness, even when it’s hard. If you’re reading this and thinking you don’t know what or how – I get that. Really. I do. For a long time, I too was stuck on figuring out my purpose.

Turns out, it can be as simple as adding value to someone’s life each day. Self-talk also helps a lot with intentional kindness.

You Do You

If you're at a crossroads about where to work, don’t just ask where the benefits are better or where the job looks shinier. Ask where you can be you - fully and unapologetically. Ask where your strengths, values, and goals align. And trust that no matter where you land, staying grounded in who you are will carry you further than any title or role ever could.

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Amanda is an educator, researcher, and author with a Ph.D. in Education and a specialization in inclusive learning and special needs education.