Ohhhhh the Places You’ll Go………..

In my first blog I wrote about being unsure about what I want to do in communications and during our usual Wednesday evening class my mind was set at ease listening to Jennifer Little, Senior Vice President, & Ashley Maddocks, Account Executive, from Edelman. The two began with the usual, they spoke of their responsibilities and their day-to-day tasks but my ears perked up when they started talking about their journeys through the whirlwind career of public relations.

The two had different perspectives on the subject since Jennifer was in college during the age of typewriters and Ashley has just dived into her career. The contrast between the two was refreshing because I was able to see PR from the standpoint of a bright-eyed new specialist to someone who has successfully climbed the ladder. Sitting there, in the sub-arctic climate of our classroom, I was envisioning myself in the front of the class one day explaining to a room full of hopefuls how they too can achieve their dream job. But as my day dream began to unravel I started to realize that its not about the dream job or perfect career, it’s about the places you go and the experiences that shape you.

Recently, I’ve really been thinking about choices and how they affect every aspect of our lives, how each minor detail could be a stepping-stone to the next chapter. As I pictured myself literally jumping across a pond I thought about all of the times I’ve lost my balance or landed triumphantly. I thought about the experiences that led me to SMU and the experiences I am having right now that will lead me to something else.

I realized that the career path I will have in communications is not a set one. I don’t know what my first real job will be or my last. However, through the words of wisdom from Ashley and Jennifer I feel comfort in the fact that not knowing is ok. It’s ok to be unsure because as long as you build a strong network in your pond then you are at liberty to jump from stone-to-stone and hopefully end up where you belong.