It has begun

"So what do you want to be when you grow up?", a well-meaning adult asked me. "A ballerina," I replied confidently. I think I was seven years old.

Nearly 35 years later, I find the question still relevant although I have since been to school, pursued a degree, changed my degree plan, graduated, applied for jobs, held jobs, loved jobs, hated jobs and quit jobs. Oh, and started a business. A completely different kind of job.

Writing a resume seems overwhelming to me. My list of positions held, to put it generally, is vast, varied and eclectic. It makes me look like a nomad; which I am not. I have lived in Texas all of my life. And it makes me look a bit scattered and irresponsible. Which, I am sad to report, I am usually referred to as "organized" and "responsible" by my friends, acquaintances as well as my former employers.

Not sure if this is completely comprehensive, but here's a good try at my list of job titles:

Baby sitter
Ice cream scooper
Data input assistant
Pet sitter
Rank Leader (of a drill team group)
Teen Board Model
Assistant to Executive Assistant
Lieutenant Officer (of the drill team)
President of the Company (for a Junior Achievement company)
Secretary to an Insurance Agent
Nanny
Office Janitor
Residential Maid
Fragrance Model
Go-Go Dancer (that's one of my favorites)
Receptionist
Office Manager
Administrative Assistant
Training & Development Instructor
Executive Assistant
Executive Secretary
(for insomniacs, I will be glad to explain the nuances in the different titles of the secretarial field)
Business Owner, which includes but is not limited to:
Business Development Specialist
Logo Designer
Marketing Director
Website Designer
Website Manager
Sales Manager
Human Resources Manager
IT Specialist
Bookkeeper
Payroll Manager
Inventory Manager
Purchasing Manager
Training and Development Manager
Design Specialist
Event Designer
Wedding Coordinator, and
the whole Customer Service department.

That makes me tired just typing it. And now, I am in search of a new job/career/lifework. Although my list is much shorter, it is still rather diverse:

Graphic Designer
Website Designer
Professional Organizer
Stager (aka one who arranges furniture to make homes sell)
Counselor
Writer

Guess that last one is not a surprise. As I think about each one, I wonder what skills do I need to do that job? Do I already have some of those skills? Do I need to go back to school to get more skills? Can I apprentice with someone in that career field? And last, but not least, what is my learning curve going to be like should I enter that field? My last business endeavor had a very long and painful learning curve which I do not wish to repeat, if possible.

I love synonyms and antonyms. I have plenty of "fifty-cent words" in my repertoire. I am good at typing. And I love my Mac laptop. But that probably is not enough to be a good writer.

Connection. The thing that we all crave from other people - in a romantic relationship, with friendships, in approval from family or employers. I think connection is the key to being a good writer. Writing something that resonates with the person who reads it. Not everyone who reads it, but a particular selection of people who read the writer's word and find a connection in the story and the style of writing. The nice thing about being a writer is that someone can love your work, and yet love James A. Michener, Nietzsche, and A.A. Milne all at the same time. And the writer too, can enjoy other writers' work - reading it for pleasure or edification, without it taking anything away from their own work.

As you can see, I love to write. But then again, that doesn't mean I am good at it, nor does it mean it will earn me a living. Don't worry, I am still considering staging furniture. Or being a ballerina.