Woman Resigns From 8 Jobs in 7 Years, Realises Calling 12 Years Later: “I Don’t Just Work, I Live”

• A woman shared that after leaving eight jobs in seven years, she eventually realised what she wanted to call her profession
• She noted that high-paying jobs wouldn't be able to offer her fulfilment the way the job she's studying for now offers
• Social media users showed their support and loved that the determined woman didn't give up on her dreams

A determined woman named Owacelwa showed that giving up was never an option, as she resigned from eight jobs over seven years. It was only after 12 years that she realised what her true passion was.

On 27 August, 2025, Owacelwa took to her TikTok account to share the jobs from which she resigned over the years. She obtained her bachelor's degree in 2016 and an honours degree in 2017 in an unknown field.

The 30-year-old shared the following details about her previous jobs:

• 2018: Worked at a call centre
• 2018: Worked as a learner support agent
• 2020: Worked as a social mobiliser
• 2021: Worked as a project manager
• 2022: Worked as an administrator
• 2023: Worked as a high school counsellor
• 2024: Became a paid full-time minister and worked for a Christian non-governmental organisation
• 2025: Worked for a bank

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She shared in her post's comment section that her qualifications had nothing to do with her landing any of her jobs, emphasising that she had no inside connections.

At the end of her post, Owacelwa revealed that in 2025, she realised that her calling was to become a teacher. She became a full-time student to pursue this craft and is now in her first year of a three-year degree.

Owacelwa also stated in the post's comments:

"I’ve walked into rooms that many would call perfect, high-paying jobs, opportunities that looked like the dream. And yet, I found myself walking away, resigning without reasons that even I could explain. At the time, it didn’t make sense, but now I understand I was never meant to stay where my soul could not breathe.

"With teaching, it is different. Here, I don’t just work, I live. Even the best-paying jobs could never offer me the contentment and fulfilment I have found in the classroom. There is a joy in knowing that what I give, what I plant, and what I nurture in others will outlive me."

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South Africans support woman's journey

While some local TikTok users joked that the woman would eventually quit her teaching job and that her resignation letter was already in the drafts, others wished her well, hoping for a positive outcome.

@robynruththomas added under the viral post:

"This is what life is all about. Explore. Find what you love and adapt. You are doing great, hun. Aim high."

@n_w_m03 said with a laugh:

"For some reason, people who usually quit their jobs like this never experience unemployment."

@malissa_tshololeeuw wrote in the comments:

"I love that you didn't give up. All those times you were looking to find what's really yours, and here you are studying again towards what you truly love. All the best, bestie."

@user4701818255072 jokingly said to the future teacher:

"Today, I've learned that winners are quitters. After teaching, release an album. We will support you."

@yolizana could relate to the woman's journey, sharing:

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"Girl, this is me. I quit so many places and studied different things, but now I'm doing a BBA, and I started growing my little business. Sometimes, it really takes time to figure out what's best for you. We don't always have it figured out, educated or not. Good luck, wish you the best on your journey."

A compassionate @_mutukana noted in the comment section:

"If teaching is not the one, resign and do you until you find what you like. After all, there’s no formula."

Take a look at the TikTok post below:

3 Other stories about dream jobs

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a woman shared her journey from working in retail to being accepted at Mancosa. She has been applying for her dream job at the private higher learning institution since 2019.
• A former Checkers packer achieved significant career advancement when she secured a highly sought-after position on an international cruise line. The young woman shared advice for those wanting to enter the industry.
• A viral video showed a group of matriculants arriving at school dressed in outfits representing their dream jobs. Online viewers praised the learners for their ambitions.

Source: Briefly News