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Desert Jeep Tour Driver, Outdoor Market Radio Announcer, Tourist Photographer at the San Diego harbor, and Media Supervisor for the Arizona State Fair, are just a few positions that have provided keen observational skills and created innate insights into human nature, found woven throughout my work.
Enhancing these qualities is a youthful background in the arts, from classical dance to thespian, to poet. And what differences in my writing perspicacity would there be had I not been raised by a Navy veteran father with Midwest values, and an artistic, creative mother, complete with egg carton lamps and a penchant for the metaphysical?
Education is certainly not all academic...
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I thrive in my role as a professional writer, editor and public relations consultant in every sense of the lifestyle. I am published... more than 15 years of magazine articles, numerous freelance corporate projects, and frequent contributions to others' books. A new book on PR is scheduled to be completed in 2008 and I am in the process of outlining two novels.
An extensive background in executive level administration most often resulted in writing and editing responsibilities, providing a comfortable segue into working with authors and publishers. Public relations skills worked their way into both corporate and publishing industry projects until I could no longer ignore its presence in my business.
With a strong desire to assist other women striving for writing success, I founded and administered Women Writers of the Desert, a Phoenix Valley organization for nearly five years. In 2007 WWD transformed into an online resource to benefit women on a broader scale and renamed Women Writers Worldwide.
And I never stop honing my craft.
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My "University of Life" education is a fact that some consider a hindrance, while I see it as a winding path of many and diverse "higher education degrees."
If this causes you to hesitate when considering me for a project, please read on before making a decision of whether or not my writing, editing, or PR skills and talents will fit your needs...
To some people a lack of a degree coupled with fluctuating job choices may be cause to categorically dismiss my talents and many years of experience. Others however, have the foresight to realize that a degree is purely academic--in the truest sense of the word--and varied professional experiences are an advantage in relating to many walks of life. Of course I love to learn and had my choices been different, I would have considered my life richer for having pursued more formal education. Still learning, I consider every day a waste if I have not discovered something new.
I also challenge the validity of degrees obtained more than 20 years ago. So I vote for daily education and experience... and no student loans.
With a solid and obviously effective primary academic background, I have been a paid, published writer/editor for more than 15 years.
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I realize of course that higher education can lead to loftier and more lucrative positions. But so can determination, desire, self-education, and inherent talent, when recognized by those in command, who exhibit intelligent prescience.
There are too many people who judge others, categorizing them as unworthy of a job, or even their time, due to lack of a degree or two, or simply the "wrong zip code."
That is a disgrace our society bears haughtily and a barrier I hope to help dispel.
Tell me... which type of person would you rather work with:
1) 22-year-old with a Bachelor's degree and current mechanical knowledge, but no insight or experience in life's nuances to best apply that knowledge;
2) 42-year-old with loads of applicable experience, but rusty on the technicalities and with a 20-year-old degree, not a clue what's happening in the field today;
3) 50-something (that's me!) who knows she has to strive harder without the accepted academic barometer, so she makes it a priority to keep her technology fresh, while blending it with personal experience and insights from diverse businesses and social environments.
I hope you choose Door #3.
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