As many other folks are mentioning here lately,  being a part of this community of Risk-Alert and gutsy folks is good for my spirit.  And I’m aware today of that risking-thing related to the latest way I’ve been employed (you know.. earning the bread and butter, or as I always say:  Heading to the office now so I can pay for the dog food!)

I am on what I suppose might be called a ‘Second Career.’  (well, maybe third if you count the year I worked exhaustedly as a High School English teacher. Another story, another day).

My first career made good sense, one position following logically up the ladder and leading to the next. (in University student affairs, advising, and teaching).  But then I came to a crossroads, and not a single position could I find in my chosen field. Stymied, I wondered, what the heck am I going to do now??

After a serendipitous lunch & meeting a lovely Mover & Shaker, I was graciously ushered onto a whole new career path. The whole world of public health is way different than where I was headed…but has turned out to be pleasant, full of good-hearted people, and interesting work. Now, there are sure some days when some of the technical stuff feels like ‘yada, yada, yada.’  But other days are zippy, and I get some delightful assignments.

Truth be told, tho, it’s been a scary ride sometimes, risky indeed. I’ve had more than a few of those out-of-body moments when I ask ‘how the bleep did I land HERE?’.  And those days when I wonder if the bosses will ever despair of my Learning Curve and ask themselves why they hired an English major for this.

So I’ve learned to get in touch with–and be ready to offer–the talents that I bring to our team that are different than the others. Sure they have eons of Public Health examples to describe and offer….but I’ve got other, supplemental project-management and group-dynamics lessons I can share that will help with convening and facilitating our external and internal group meetings.

Having the guts to speak up with an observation or a resource has become just the antidote I’ve needed for getting me thru those ‘yikes, what could I offer?’ scary moments.  This–it turns out–has not been an easy path, this diverging career path. But I’m glad and grateful to get to be in it– & learning to soothe the Risk-related sweaty palms with some color, some input and some helpful experience.  Diverging can bring some gifts of its own!

Claudia Brogan is a lifelong trainer and educator, having worked and taught at universities in student leadership, psychology, student advising, and counseling. Lately, she's foraying into doing training in the public health arena, which is a very different world indeed, a risk in itself! She'll try anything once, if it sounds fun, and so she’s joining this circle of resourceful, colorful, gutsy women – what the hell?! Claudia can be reached on Facebook.
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