When I think about my career path, I often envision the old Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs gets knocked out by a girder and sleep walks through a construction site. Just as he’s about to plummet off the edge of a girder, another one moves into place and he keeps on walking.
There have been times I tried to plan my professional life, but confusion, too many choices, uncertainty about my aptitude or skills, kept me from anything too definitive. The truth is, my career has been a bit of a Looney Tune. I have moved along, step by step, blissfully unaware of what lies ahead. Just when I’m about to step off the edge, another girder carries me to safety.
Despite the meanderings, “what I do” has always been somehow connected to words, and I’m happy where I’ve landed. The ground feels pretty solid right now, even though I know that might be the sleep walker talking. If so, I know the next girder will lead to something interesting.
I was happy to find this interview with Margaret Atwood. She talks about confusion over her career choices. At various times, starting at age 8, she thought about becoming a clothing designer, a home economist, and a biologist.
“Then the writing took over,” she says.
I know the feeling.
Away with Words 