Wanda Price
Published December 19, 2025
In July of 2025, I experienced something that many people face at some point in their careers—I was laid off due to budget cuts. Even though I understood the reasons behind the decision, the sudden loss of stability was difficult. It forced me into a space of uncertainty, and for a while, it felt like the ground underneath me had shifted. As I began applying for jobs, I quickly realized how challenging the job market had become. Despite sending out applications, networking, and doing everything I thought I was supposed to do, interviews were scarce. Each week that passed made me more aware that I needed to evaluate my approach, not just in how I searched for jobs, but in how I understood myself during this transition.
By October, after months of frustration, I reached a point where I knew something had to change. I needed more than just a new resume or better job postings — I needed a new mindset. That retaliation led me to enroll in Project Iowa’s November cohort, and doing so turned out to be one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve made during this season of my life.
Project Iowa provided so much more than job training. It offered me a space to grow personally, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the first concepts I learned was the idea of self-sanctuary – the practice of creating an internal space of safety, grounding, and compassion. That idea alone shifted how I showed up for myself during difficult moments. Instead of reacting with stress or self-criticism, I learned to pause, breath, and reconnect with my core.
Wanda
We also explored manifestation and visualization, and I began to understand the power of aligning my thoughts with my intentions. Rather than focusing on what wasn’t happening, I started picturing what I truly wanted, and I paid attention to how those images made me feel. Along with the came lessons about the power of thought and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. I realized that during my job search, I had been unknowingly reinforcing fear and doubt. Project Iowa helped me shift those patterns toward empowerment, possibility, and self-belief.
Another important tool was the emotional guidance scale, which helped me identify and navigate my emotions with more clarity. Instead of labeling feelings as good or bad, I started to see them as indicators—signals guiding me toward alignment or away from it. We also spent time reflecting on work values, which allowed me to get clear about the kind of environment, responsibilities, and purpose that truly matter to me. It reminded me that my career isn’t just about earning income—it is also about finding meaning, fulfillment, and alignment with who I am becoming.
We talked about self-care not just something to do occasionally, but as a daily practice that supports emotional regulation and long-term growth. And one of the most impactful parts for the program was learning to connect with my higher self—the version of me that sees beyond fear, beyond limitations, and beyond temporary setbacks. That connection helped restore my sense of purpose and reminded me that this journey is bigger than just one job.
The mock interview process was another powerful component. The structure, feedback, and repetition strengthened my confidence in a very practical, tangible way. It helped me understand not just what I wanted to say in interviews, but how to communicate my strengths authentically and calmly. Those practice sessions directly improved how I performed in real interviews.
Recently, I accepted a new job. It’s not at the level I’m used to—neither in responsibilities nor in pay—but I took it out of necessity. And while part of me struggled with that at first, it has become a humbling and valuable learning experience. It reminded me to stay grounded, patient, and open to growth, even when circumstances aren’t ideal.
Most importantly, I’m not settling. I remain committed to pursuing the opportunities I truly want and taking intentional, aligned steps toward my long-term goals. This job is temporary; my vision is not. Project Iowa has become a place of support, clarity, and transformation—one I didn’t realize I needed until I was in it. The program helped me rebuild not only not job-search strategy but also my sense of self, my direction, and my belief in what’s possible for me moving forward.
