Talented teachers tend to influence their students for life. One such teacher in high school boldly told a class of seniors that we would likely change careers five times before we retired. While that statement may have upset a few of my classmates planning on retiring with cushy pensions - it inspired me then and now.
I was supposed to be a DJ, according to the career aptitude test I took in the 7th grade. I LOVE music and have created sound tracks for lots of friends and special occasions. But I've never worked as a DJ.
I worked at the world headquarters of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company soon after high school. The words of my teacher very poignently replayed in my head when I attended a retirement party for a woman who'd worked in the same office, in the same position for 40 years.
My career has mostly involved writing... writing for television news, newspapers and magazines. Writing for public relations and marketing, I've worked in a wide variety of industries... from the obscure (tire engineering, respiratory medical equipment, GPS tracking technology) to mainstream and really cool (Pirates of the Caribbean among other films, skydiving, horseback treks across deserted beaches, high seas adventures).
In high school, I worked on the farm with my Dad. The two of us built fences for the cattle and horses, barns, plowing and harvesting. My summer job was mowing lawns and detasseling corn. Working my way through college, I worked as a landscaper, a car detailer, a Repo (wo) Man, an executive assistant, in University development, and as a marketing and public relations professional.
After college, I worked in broadcast news, print media, film and television, and was then recruited back into marketing and public relations. As a freelancer and business consultant, I worked with a variety of industries and covered news from hurricane recovery in the Caribbean to ski trips in the Alps.
I ran a film studio in The Bahamas, worked with the President of Disney Films and a plethora of other production companies and crews.
My point is, if you've lost your job... or you've lost interest in your job... don't despair. At least you've not been sitting inside the same four walls for 40 years. Maybe it's time you made a change and you were too afraid to make it -- so it's been made for you. Maybe it's time to explore your talents and your entrepreneurial spirit. Take a stand and don't be afraid. What have you always dreamed of doing?
Change is good. Change keeps you fresh and sets you free.
And by the way, if you know anyone looking for a DJ....
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