Do We Choose Our Careers, Or Do They Choose Us?

When I started this I warned you that sometimes the topics would be random … and this is one of those. 


From mid-high school, I knew what I wanted to do for a career. When I headed off to college it was the only thing I could think of. And then I met the counselor. He promptly told me that I would never do well at that career and that business was where I belonged. It was the 80’s and everybody was taking business. Besides, he was the counselor, what did I know?

Very shortly after beginning my classes I was 100% sure he was 100% wrong. So I took matters into my own hands and left. I wandered around working various jobs in the medical field (the family business) and realized it wasn’t for me.

Eventually, I happened upon a job that while it didn’t look like a career, seemed interesting and paid the bills. It was an entry-level job doing mundane typing and coordinating mailings. Woot! But believe it or in that silly, mundane job I found my career. Or did it find me?

I’m a corporate event planner. I’m not a party planner, not a wedding planner, a corporate event planner. And 20 years ago I didn’t even know that job existed! I never applied to be an event manager. So how did I get here?

In hindsight, and my mom will attest to this, it was in my blood from a young age. I used to show horses and I was the one that made the lists, loaded things in the horse trailer in the order they came out and generally had to know for myself that everything was ready to go. I was always about organizing the details.

But, at the highest level, my job is to be invisible. And believe it or not that’s where I’m the most comfortable. Yes, I sometimes do things that draw attention to myself, but I don’t do things to draw attention to myself. I like being in the background. I’m just as happy quietly reading a book on a beach to partying on one. So hanging back, watching, anticipating is where I’ve spent much of my life.

How did I get here? Blind luck? Hard work? Probably a little of both. I often still can’t believe I found something I love to do, that comes easily, and allows me to meet wonderful people while letting me stay in my “comfort zone.” Looking back, I guess I owe my college counselor a “Thank you.” I am still sure I would have loved, and been good at, my “other” career. But when he derailed that idea, when he made me find my own path, my true calling found me. I am so lucky!