From New Mom to Successful Contractor: Heather Sturdy's Independent Career Journey

When Heather Sturdy had her child over 25 years ago, she expected to return to a traditional company job. Life, however, had other plans. What started as a quick solution to an unexpected situation became a fulfilling independent career that spanned over two decades, providing her with flexibility, variety, and a sense of control over her professional destiny.

"I had expected to return to a company, and things did not go as planned," Heather recalls. "I had to find work quickly, and I was luckily presented an opportunity by a contact to do a short contract at a university."

That first contract, providing career and employment presentations to first-year business students, leveraged Heather's background in HR and career transition experience. What began as a short-term opportunity evolved into a long-term, part-time contract as a career advisor, delivering one-to-one coaching and presentations to help students develop resumes, present themselves in interviews, and build their professional networks.

When Opportunity Knocks

For Heather, the transition to independent work wasn't necessarily a carefully plotted career move but a practical response to life's unexpected turns.

"In a way, the decision was almost made for me," she explains. "We had been a two-income family, so it was important for me to find work to contribute financially to our household."

The beauty of her career path emerged as those initial short-term contracts grew into longer-term relationships with the same organizations. Heather discovered that saying "yes" to seemingly small opportunities could lead to sustained professional relationships and more substantial work.

"I would recommend saying 'yes' to those short-term opportunities that can turn into longer term work," she advises, noting that these can sometimes even lead to full-time positions for those seeking them.

The Freedom of Flexibility

When asked about the advantages of independent work, Heather doesn't hesitate to highlight flexibility as a key benefit. As a new mother, the ability to structure her work around family responsibilities was invaluable. Beyond schedule flexibility, she found richness in her work experiences.

"The advantages of being an independent worker include the flexibility of my schedule, the variety of work I have engaged in, the variety of teams I have worked with and the connections I have built," she shares.

This variety made work more interesting and expanded her professional toolkit. "I have also been able to build my experience, knowledge, and skills in a variety of settings and organizations."

The financial benefits weren't lost on her either. "From a financial perspective, writing off some of my business expenses and charge rates that reflect my experience and skill sets has been helpful."

Navigating the Challenges

Independent work isn't without challenges; Heather has faced her share over the years. Without an employer covering benefits, she's had to create systems to manage these expenses.

"As an independent worker, I need to set aside funds to pay for health benefits," she explains. "I am also responsible for paying my professional memberships and any learning and development. I have set up an account which I pay monthly to have the funds available for these expenses."

The social aspect of work can also be challenging for independent professionals. Without daily interactions with the same colleagues, it's easy to feel isolated or disconnected. Heather's approach to this challenge is twofold: building strong client relationships and cultivating professional communities.

"When I come into an organization as a contractor, I get to know co-workers, understand what they do and build relationships. This has helped me to feel part of the team quickly," she says. "I also belong to some professional communities and attend events to get to know others in my field and build that sense of connection."

Perhaps the most persistent challenge is the need for constant self-marketing. "One of the other challenges I have as an independent worker is marketing myself continually for new opportunities," Heather acknowledges. But she sees a silver lining: "I believe I have built resilience and learned to pivot more quickly as a result."

Looking Forward

After 25 years as an independent professional, Heather remains enthusiastic about her chosen path. She has found her niche in facilitating groups and providing individual coaching, doing work she genuinely loves.

When asked if she would consider returning to traditional employment, her answer reveals how deeply she values the independence she's cultivated: "I don't see myself returning to a traditional job at this point in my career. Independent work has opened my eyes to many opportunities I might not have pursued had I stayed in a traditional job."

Her perspective on today's work world is particularly insightful. "With all the change and unpredictability happening in the world of work, I feel more prepared to meet these challenges. I have asked myself the question from time to time: Is a traditional job the best option given that companies cannot guarantee long-term, permanent work? Being an independent worker has given me a sense of control over my career."

The Power of Connection

If there's one piece of advice Heather wants to share with aspiring independent workers, it's about the importance of relationships.

"I would stress the importance of building relationships and connections so you can find out about the independent work opportunities that fit your skill set, experience and interests," she emphasizes. "Connecting regularly may also mean you will be at the top of your mind when an employer/client has a specific need you can help them address."

What began as a necessity for Heather Sturdy has evolved into a fulfilling career built on her terms. By embracing opportunities, building meaningful connections, and remaining adaptable, she has created a professional life that provides income, satisfaction, and a sense of control in an unpredictable world.

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