Nearly a year ago, I worked my way through another interview process with a reputable D.C. university. This was the second time in a year that I was being interviewed by this school, the previous time being unsuccessful due to organizational restructuring, which I wasn’t informed of until I began interviewing for this second opportunity. I passed through the online screenings and even got to meet the team in person. I was ghosted again, though, not knowing if it was because they thought I was too expensive, if it was personality or if they decided to restructure again.

At the same time, my supervisors offered me a supervisory position, which included a pay bump as well as extended hours. Following being ghosted, I accepted and continue in the role today.

Late this summer, I applied for admission into another university’s MBA program with the hopes of not only boosting my employment potential, but also to help get my family and I where we need me to be. I was denied on the grounds of both my employment experience in editorial and marketing, as well as my GPA from over 15 years ago.

However, they recommended I apply for admission to their graduate certificate program in business fundamentals, where the credits would transfer to the MBA program should I attempt that again. I was accepted last week, and begin classes today.

Over the weekend, I popped open a bottle of champagne with my wife, something I was planning to do if I found another job in my desired field or if I got into that MBA program. Despite neither happening, this step of applying to something and finally being told “yes” has been a desperate desire for over four years and is worth celebrating. Just like we celebrate a puppy learning a new trick, a child using the toilet for the first time, or making your first sale in the store.

A victory is a victory, no matter how small.