When your career is all you have left
- Posted on November 16, 2018
- Estimated reading time 4 minutes
The following blog post was written by Avanade alum Antonella Castaldo.
I recently interviewed ignition hires for the Infrastructure and Security talent community here at Avanade. The energy and excitement levels are often through the roof with prospective new college hires, which is a nice reminder of how many of us started out.
I came into Avanade through something of a different route, but I still walk around every day with my new-hire excitement, although with a bit of a seasoned-employee twist because Avanade saved my life and I will never stop being grateful. Let me explain.
Right out of college, I landed what felt like my dream job—working at the Center for Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE) at Columbia University. It was a blast. Unfortunately, it was a grant-funded role, and once that grant was lost, I found myself without a job in NYC. I spent a year trying to find something that good again but to no avail.
I decided to set my sights onto a new career path in technology and a new city, the second Silicon Valley, Seattle! I had some small office gigs but primarily waitressed at an Amazon Café in downtown Seattle. One day, on my lunch break, I received a call from an Accenture recruiter. They were looking for a full-time receptionist for their Redmond, WA location in the Opportunity Building.
Within a few months of starting with Accenture, I was able to work my way into an Infrastructure Technical Support Analyst role. I met Avanade CEO Adam Warby and Accenture CTIO Paul Daugherty one day when Adam needed some tech support. Shortly after, I was inspired to move over into consulting. Accenture had a hiring freeze at the time, but I made the switch to Avanade, a company that supported me during the darkest time of my life.
While my career was coming together, my personal life was falling apart. Away from family, friends, and very alone in Seattle, I found myself in a controlling and abusive relationship that led to marriage. The abuse became so extensive that I was no longer able to work. I had just begun working at Avanade, and suddenly needed a one-month medical leave.
Three weeks into my leave, my HR representative Kendra called me to check in. I had just had a very bad episode with my then-husband, and, a few days later, had come clean to my family about the abuse and my plan to come back home. While on the call with Kendra, I broke down and cried. Kendra was right there with me and I will never forget the empathy and concern in her voice. “Get yourself out of there; get yourself safe; you are not losing your job. We support you and I will do everything I can to get you an emergency transfer home.” Wow, Avanade, you rock.
I made it home safely and was able to extend my leave for another month to get my mental health in better shape. Avanade supported me through it all. Once I started in the NYC office, the first person I met, Franc (who knew my story), asked me if I was okay and safe. I was blown away by the culture of Avanade. The support continued into my first project on the east coast under the leadership of Brian, who worked with me to ease into the travel schedule and made sure I could keep my physical and mental health on track.
With Avanade, I have been able to share my story. I joined the women’s resource group and hosted my own self-defense seminar. I love that we are able to be involved with causes that matter to us and come together to stretch our impact beyond technology innovation.
I had the opportunity to meet Adam Warby again recently. I let him know that Avanade saved my life and teased that I am going to get a tattoo of Avanade’s logo. I am the company’s biggest supporter and promoter, not just because of what we do but because of who we are.
My life has not turned out exactly as I expected. When I left New York for Seattle, I hoped I would come back to my family ideally with a great career, a husband and baby. But, thanks to Avanade, I have the career, a second chance at life, and all the excitement of a fresh new college hire!
Category Employee Stories
Aline Lee
You've been through a lot! You're brave and strong! Nice to know that Avanade have supported you along this difficult time.
Brian Camping
Thank you Antonella for sharing your story! Vulnerability and transparency are undervalued in a keep-it-all-together world. I am so proud of our people for supporting you through this. It cannot be easy to share the personal struggle that you went through. Many others deal with their own struggles and your note, here in a semi-public forum, is an encouragement to all who read it.
Melanie Dowczek
WOW! Thank you for sharing your amazing story! Your strength and transparency is so inspirational! I'm proud to be a fellow Avanade colleague of such a strong and smart professional woman. I hope our paths cross and I can't wait to see where your life-path takes you!
Antonella Castaldo
Hi Melanie, Your words are too kind and warming to my heart!! I look forward to the possibility of our paths crossing in the future! Best, Antonella
Mukesh Sharma
Khudos to you Antonella. You are brave and courageous. We as an organisation will always be with you. Cheers..😊
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you Mukesh!! I have definitely felt the love from Avanade and still do today!! Best, Antonella
Angela Maier
Antonella... you GO girl! How courageous of you to share your story as I am certain it will be an inspiration for others to take charge of their destiny even in the worst of circumstances. I am so glad you came out safe and strong on the other side. I joined Avanade myself just about one and a half years ago in recruiting. I wasn't actively looking at my previous company but once I spoke to the people here I was so impressed and continue to be with their energy, compassion and dedication to innovation, technology, and hiring strong female talent. The future looks bright indeed! Keep inspiring those around you!
Antonella Castaldo
Hi Angela!! I hope you continue to enjoy Avanade as much as I do! Thank you for your support and help in finding the best talent for our company! Best, Antonella
Nancie Calder
Fabulous story of your courage to persevere! A great role model for many that are out there still living in fear, I am sure your story will inspire at least one other to follow you and then 1 more and so on....
Antonella Castaldo
Hi Nancie, Thank you for your support! All I hope to do is help that 1 out of the shadows! Best, Antonella
Darren G
From one Avanade employee to another.... Wow. I hope our paths cross one day on project work. I would be honoured to meet such a strong person. I love working here too! I wish you every success. Greetings from Switzerland.
Antonella Castaldo
Hey Darren! Thank you for much for your support! I hope our paths cross one day on a project as well! Hello Switzerland!!!! I have never been--I would love to visit! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Kevin Kelley
Thank you for being willing to share this personal and inspirational story. I'm grateful to be working at a company that demonstrates clear concern for its employees!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Yes, Avanade is amazing! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Emeka Moemenam
You are a very strong woman and I admire your courage. Working with Avanade for 6 weeks now and am totally in love with the experience
Antonella Castaldo
I am so happy to hear about your positive experience with Avanade! Welcome to the Orange Family! Happy holidays!
Franc Bongon
What courage and bravery to share! Welcome home Antonella! #lioness
Antonella Castaldo
#lioness Love it!! Thank you, Franc!! :-)
Ana Harley
It's very inspiring to hear your story and journey, and to learn another way in which Avanade supports and invests in us. Thank you for sharing!
Antonella Castaldo
You are so welcome! Yes, Avanade supports/invests in its employees in so many ways!
Bhargavi Raghunathan
Your courage and perseverance is truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing your story, and I fully agree... Avanade rocks - 14 years and counting :)
Antonella Castaldo
14 years and counting! Wow! Awesome to hear. Thank you for your support! Happiest of holidays to you and your loved ones!
Justyna Paterek
We all have with a story, thanks and kudos for sharing yours!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Apologies for what seems like a late response—there was a glitch in the system that didn’t post my comments! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Pam Greenstein
Thank you for sharing such an emotional story, full of great courage and strength.
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Heather Davy
Antonella Castaldo, thank you for your vulnerability to share your story. I am so glad that you are in a good place. Kendra Capozzi, hats off to you for handling this situation so well.
Antonella Castaldo
Hi Heather, thank you so much for your support! Yes, Kendra did an amazing job; anyone who interacts with her is very lucky! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Lloyd Thomas
This is a powerful story I can relate to. The ability to overcome adversity is a key quality of life and the w/the help of Avanade, you made it through. Thanks for sharing your story to inspire others.
Antonella Castaldo
Hello Lloyd, thank you for much for your support and kind words! Apologies for what seems like a late response—there was a glitch in the system that didn’t post my comments! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Shireen Virji
Thank you for sharing, i know exactly how you felt as i went through the same experience..
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! I am sorry to hear you went through the same but am so grateful you are doing okay!! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Greg Roderick
Wow. What a powerful story. I'm inspired by your perseverance and positivity in the face of adversity, and so happy to hear about the support you've found at Avanade. We're so lucky to have you and people like you all around the world who make Avanade such a diverse and welcoming place. Thanks for sharing.
Antonella Castaldo
Hi Greg! Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Lauren Burns
Incredible story Antonella. Thank you for your vulnerability and bravery in sharing your deeply personal story, and creating more of the vital pathways around conversations on the human impact of supportive organsiations. As a new starter to Avanade, I have been blown away by the level of support and inclusivity I have witnessed and experienced.
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for your support! I am happy to hear of the great level of support you too have experienced as an Avanade employee! Happy Holidays!!
Cliff Ettridge
What an honest account. That's brave. And, that honesty will only go on to breed more honesty from others. It'll inspire others to behave differently. To be more open. Thank you for sharing this story.
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you! I do hope it will inspire others! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Samantha Gibbs
What an inspirational and power story. Thank you for sharing Antonella!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Oscar Caravaca Martinez
Proud of Avanade, and proud of having teammates like you.
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Anil Kripalani
Nella I'm glad we are working together at a key client delivering on a transformation that elevates the employee experience. Thanks for sharing your story!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! I am glad we are working together as well! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Julie Evans
Well done for getting out Antonella! Avanade is an amazing place to work. I am still trying to work out what the catch is and i been here 8 years!!! :-)
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Yes, I am still trying to work out the catch as well!! :-) Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! God bless you too!
Holly Hawk
What a powerful story! Thanks for sharing. Avanade is like a second family. It is a great place to work!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Yes AVA is a great place to work!! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Stella Goulet
Thanks for sharing your powerful and moving story, Antonella! I'm so pleased that you're safe and that you found the support you needed from colleagues at Avanade. It sounds like you've made a great start to an exciting career journey, and thanks for helping others along the way. I wish you much continued success!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support and for the invitation to meet you, Stella! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Kiley Surma
Thank you for sharing this story, Antonella, your transparency is inspiring. We are luck to have you at Avanade NYC!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Ed Bobrin
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope it inspires and provides hope to those who need it. Avanade has always felt like family to me; even after 5 years!
Antonella Castaldo
Thank you for much for your support! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
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