It’s A Different World!

As the theme song from the phenomenal television show goes, “It’s a different world than where you come from!” That show was all about young Black youth heading to college and branching out on their own. In this context, I’m referring to my own leap from the world of digital marketing into the housing sector.

This past week, I faced a major milestone: an exam that most people in the housing field have to conquer if they want to move up. During the first week of April, twenty-five of us from different departments were tucked away in a room for a week-long training. We were all there to study, prep, and eventually sit for this exam on a Friday. Honestly, it doesn’t sound that terrifying until you realize the exam involves math case studies.

Let’s just say math and I are not on speaking terms.

I mean, let’s be real: my degree from DePaul University is in Communications. I’m a writer, a poet, and a digital marketer. A finance and math guru? I am not! That training took over my entire week and my entire life. When Friday finally rolled around, I was just happy to have it behind me.

To become an official Housing Specialist and earn my HCV program certification, I needed an 85% to pass. After the exam, I felt a little confident, though, looking back, I think I was just high on the relief of being done with the training! Knowing that a few of my coworkers hadn’t passed on their first try actually gave me some solace and peace; it reminded me that this wasn’t an easy feat, so I didn’t freak out too much.

The following Wednesday, the results came in. I got a 74. Whomp whomp. Close, but no cigar. I was 11 points away from my goal (I think it’s 11… remember, math isn’t my friend! lol).

Shortly after, we got an email stating the retake was scheduled for the following Monday. I knew right then that I had to study hard to pass the second time around. I spent my entire weekend hitting the books, finding focus in every “down moment” I could carve out between my mom tasks.

The second time around, I knew I needed more than just notes; I needed the right headspace. I made sure my hair was done the day before because when I feel like myself, I perform like myself. On Monday morning, I even had a cappuccino delivered from my favorite shop to make sure I was sharp and alert. When the receipt arrived, I saw it: 333. In that moment, I knew I was in alignment. It was the “green light” I needed.

Unlike the first time, I took this exam at my own desk. Even with the usual office chatter buzzing around me, which, let’s be honest, was a little irritating when I was trying to focus! I just kept breathing. I told myself to slow down. I used the autonomy to mark the tricky questions and really took my time with the math I had spent all weekend mastering. I found a flow I didn’t have before.

When I finally hit “submit,” I had no idea what was about to happen. My heart was pounding. Literally two minutes later, not even ten, an email popped up.

“Congratulations! You passed. Score: 87%.”

The tears just started flowing. The week before, I had been so heavy with the sadness of not passing the first time. I felt the pressure of everyone watching and waiting to see if I could do it, but more importantly, I really wanted to do this for me. Seeing that 87 was the ultimate validation of my hard work and dedication.

The high-fives and hugs from my coworkers were the icing on the cake, but the real reward is the certificate headed my way in the mail. I am thoroughly proud of myself. Moving into this new field was a leap of faith, but I’ve proven that I belong here. I’m officially a Housing Specialist, math and all!