A precocious reader, I devoured the newspaper at age 7, and was especially enthralled with the stories I found there — serialized comic strips like Brenda Starr and the tales troubled people told when writing for advice from "Dear Abby." I had my own first story published — in the school newspaper — in third grade, a moment that set me on a course to be, like my father, a writer. Writing has always been like breathing to me — something both natural and necessary.
In my early 20s, my best friend and I had business cards printed dubbing us "Divine Dilettantes." By qualifying the negative connotation of the dilettante — a dabbler in many areas with no real expertise in any of them — with the word "divine," we were convinced we had elevated dilettantism to an exalted status.
Yes, I have had a diverse career, but the common denominator has been creating and propelling informative content out into the world. I've done that as a writer, teacher, blogger, and presenter. And I did develop expertise — in the field of career management. I authored/co-authored eight books and more than 150 articles on career and college topics, and I earned distinction as a Credentialed Career Manager and Master Resume Writer.
Storytelling unexpectedly re-entered my life shortly after I began my doctoral program. I learned about organizational storytelling in a class, and became hooked on applied uses of story. This budding passion germinated into my dissertation (email me for password), a book, and my blog, A Storied Career, on which I post seven days a week.
Supported by my day job in the careers sector, I have transcended organizational politics and established a joyful life in staggeringly beautiful Eastern Washington. My life is full of love, learning, creativity, and freedom, amid hard work.
And what is that work? I teach — in the classroom, online, and through my writing — about applied storytelling, business/managerial/organizational communication, organizational behavior, and career management.
Please feel free to enjoy a heaping helping of my quirks and eccentricities, my extracurricular passions, and my social presence.
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