When I made the decision to move to Boston a year after my college graduation, I knew that I had to find a job. I read the job ads in the newspaper and decided to make an appointment with an employment agency. I loved to draw, so I readied my portfolio and resume. Then I headed into Boston for the appointment.
A nice woman called me into her office. As we talked, I found out that we had a friend in common. A man I went to college with was the brother of her good friend. That connection increased her investment in me. Then, when I showed her my portfolio, she said she had the perfect job for me.
She gave me directions to drive to a city at the edge of Boston for an interview at an architectural firm. She felt my college background, experience as administrative help in businesses over time, and my artistic interest/talent made me a good fit for a marketing assistant job they had. When I arrived at the riverside building and walked in, the first thing I noticed was that the office was covered with bright white walls. I had always imagined having my own studio with white walls like that. The firm buzzed with energy and creativity, I knew I wanted that job.
After the interview, I was hired and spent the next three years of my life assisting with marketing tasks at the firm. I continued to be inspired by the creativity at that multi-faceted design firm, a firm with architects, landscape architects, urban planners, graphic designers and engineers. I loved the conversations and efforts related to building, making and creating inviting, well-designed, beautiful spaces. As time went on, I knew I wanted to invest myself into a career the same way the designers I worked with were invested in their careers, and though I loved the idea of welcoming, wonderful spaces, I knew that my real passion was teaching and learning. I wanted to work with children as an educator.
The money I saved while working at the firm and my passion led me to enroll in graduate school for education. That was the next step on my job ladder which began with babysitting as a pre-teen, an office job as a teenager and college student, the order processing clerk position after college and then the marketing assistant and eventually marketing coordinator position. One job led to the other. Each job provided me with valuable experiences and the opportunity to meet many interesting and influential people. Now, many years later and on the other side of my 34-year teaching career, I find myself wholly invested in my role as daughter, mother, sister, friend, mother-in-law, and partner--it's a time devoted to family. I am also an enthusiastic writer, blogger, tweeter, reader, researcher and advocate. I'm not sure where these roles will take me, but reflecting on past transitions may move me forward in that regard.