Besides a love of the written word, one of the central reasons I have continued investing in the writing and podcast efforts over the years was to create a significant wealth of communication-related experience with which to leverage a career switch from tax compliance to state or federal government communications. When I graduated in 2018 from Marylhurst University with a BA in English Literature and New Media, I thought things would change for the better. While they have most definitely done so, it wasn't quite in the way I expected. For one thing, I've learned that communications is not a field easily entered by the older worker; fresh out of school is the way to embark on that career path. The departments are generally seeking young people for these positions.
I expected when I graduated from college that I'd be a much better writer. While I may be a stronger writer today, I have also found the desire to write is rarely as strong as it once was. Perhaps it was the act of writing and re-writing my university thesis that burned me out for a while on the act of writing. The whole process seemed less artistic or creative than simply a sort of "writing by the numbers" approach to essay structure. That, combined perhaps with lackluster sales of my books, has led me to where I am today--subtly redirecting my time and energies into more fruitful areas.
Anyway, we all have plenty on our plates these days, and I frankly think my time is better placed in serving God and enjoying my family than investing hours in creating fresh content for the web or books. I have offered my services to one company, and I remain available as needed to a local Catholic publication too. I am still interested in being involved in photography and voice work projects, but I suspect they're going to take more of a backseat to simply living than they have in the past. When I retire in less than a decade, I hope to hit the writing harder than ever; we will see.
I will continue to add to the blog as time allows.
