When Your Dream Job Rejects You, What Comes Next? | Podcast Episode #9
In this episode of #WorkisRigged, Veronica Yao is joined by Kendal Emerson, founder of Candid Marketing Co., to discuss her colourful career journey — from shovelling horse poo for racehorses to running her own marketing business.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse and violence.
They explore the realities of late-diagnosed neurodivergence, the shock of transitioning from a disciplined school environment to full-time work, and the heavy toll of overachievement and burnout. Kendal also opens up about being rejected from her childhood "dream job" after six years of preparation, and navigating survival mode while trapped in a toxic domestic abuse relationship.
Meet Our Guest: Kendal Emerson
Before founding Candid Marketing Co, Kendal bounced through hospitality, retail, commercial radio, and enough unfinished certifications to paper a wall (relatable, right?). She got knocked back from the Australian Defence Force, made redundant from radio right after winning an award for it, and somewhere in the chaos of building a business from scratch, finally figured out why nothing ever felt like it fit: undiagnosed ADHD. Now she runs a digital marketing and operations agency built for brains exactly like hers.
You can find Kendall on Instagram @kendalemerson_digital and @candidmarketingco
SPOILERS! Here are some highlights from this episode:
The Realities of the Work Journey and Early Experiences. School fails to prepare adults for the real world, leading to a massive culture shock when entering full-time work. Kendal learned this the hard way when she started her career straight out of high school without attending post-secondary.
The Neurodivergent Experience and Late Diagnosis. Late-diagnosed individuals often go through life not understanding why it is so hard to commit to one thing, stay focused, or remain consistent with a single role. Society applies a morality standard to job-hopping or staying at a job, which creates unnecessary shame and the feeling of suffering in silence.
Expectations, Overachievement, and Burnout. Moving from a disciplined environment like school to having to control and structure your own adult life can cause severe burnout, exhaustion, and imposter syndrome when coping mechanisms break down.
