u/greatbigsea123

Hi all,

Very new to this group, I’m looking for a career change from retail key account management. I’ve come across advancement (University) and more and more I’m feeling like this could be a really good fit. There are some roles posted at a major university in our city and I’m looking to apply. I have a major gap in experience in advancement / major gifts, but do you think this is a good pivot from key account management / sales? Any thoughts on how to get around the major gap in experience?

Tips are welcome!!! Thank you in advance for your thoughts!!

My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 2026. She had metastasis at time of diagnosis to her adrenal glands, spine, brain, and skin. It was a shocking diagnosis because she was a healthy, non smoking 70YO woman. My mom was also a nurse and was incredibly on top of her health and screening.

She had a lump on her scalp, which was her first tip off that’s something was wrong. Sure enough it was stage 4 at time of diagnosis.

My mum decided to do chemo and radiation which was rocky, but we had some periods of time where she was doing well. She ended up with a lot of pain towards the end of her third chemo treatment and we found out that the cancer had spread. We live in Canada and she chose to do MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying). We had everybody around her for the last three days of her life. We told stories, went through photos, listened to music, watched movies. We ate smoked salmon and drank champagne. It was a beautiful goodbye. She left peacefully.

I tell this story because this subreddit was a lifeline for me when I was looking for hope while she was in treatment. It didn’t end the way I was hoping, but we made a beautiful goodbye for her and there was closure for us. I will miss her forever, she was a wonderful mother and grandmother. I am sending love and support to anyone at the end of their journey and especially if their loved one is considering MAiD. It was a difficult decision but I’m ultimately so grateful my mom chose this path for herself.

My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 2026. She had metastasis at time of diagnosis to her adrenal glands, spine, brain, and skin. It was a shocking diagnosis because she was a healthy, non smoking 70YO woman. My mom was also a nurse and was incredibly on top of her health and screening.

She had a lump on her scalp, which was her first tip off that’s something was wrong. Sure enough it was stage 4 at time of diagnosis.

My mum decided to do chemo and radiation which was rocky, but we had some periods of time where she was doing well. She ended up with a lot of pain towards the end of her third chemo treatment and we found out that the cancer had spread. We live in Canada and she chose to do MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying). We had everybody around her for the last three days of her life. We told stories, went through photos, listened to music, watched movies. We ate smoked salmon and drank champagne. It was a beautiful goodbye. She left peacefully.

I tell this story because this subreddit was a lifeline for me when I was looking for hope while she was in treatment. It didn’t end the way I was hoping, but we made a beautiful goodbye for her and there was closure for us. I will miss her forever, she was a wonderful mother and grandmother. I am sending love and support to anyone at the end of their journey and especially if their loved one is considering MAiD. It was a difficult decision but I’m ultimately so grateful my mom chose this path for herself.

We are hosting a very informal wedding lunch/dinner and looking for catering options for about 15-20 people. We have some people who are gluten free so bonus points if they can accommodate that! Porta Via is closed on weekends but they were a first choice! Thanks in advance :)