Embracing the Journey: Reflections on Changing Careers and Finding Your Path

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I loved watching the Tonys this year, as I do every year. The performances, the speeches of dreams fulfilled, the surrealness of the experience—it all captivates me. My favorite part, though, was the camera at the wings capturing performers coming off stage. The tears, the smiles, the pride, the heartfelt "Hi Moms" and "Happy Fathers Day" messages—that moment of realization, "Holy bananas, I'm performing on Broadway, in a Tony-nominated show, and now on the Tonys for millions," was pure joy.

I cried so many happy tears after every performance that I had to fetch a box of tissues. I even screamed like a banshee, twice, when Suffs The Musical won for Best Book and Best Score. I haven’t even seen it yet, but I think I may know all the songs by heart.

There is nothing like live theatre. Nothing. It has been a while since I’ve tread the boards playing a character, though there is a persona that is me when I speak at conferences, leaning heavily into my theatrical training. Theatre people are a special bunch. They are shiny, bright, with great memories and unique perspectives. I've always hired theatre folk for "day jobs" as staffers for events, and many of my teams throughout my career have been full of members of the arts. We seem to find each other in the tech world.

I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t flubbed my lines during my URTA auditions for theatre graduate school. Would I have gotten into a school and pursued a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in acting? Why didn’t I just move to NYC or LA like so many others with stars in their eyes? You never know where your path leads. Recently returning to voiceover acting class has been so fun and fulfilling.

I happily use my theatre degree and my time producing theatre in Seattle’s fringe theatre scene every day. And I have appreciated those who have embraced my creative, "out of the box" ideas over the years in the tech industry.

It's fascinating to reflect on what might have been, yet comforting to realize that you always end up where you are meant to be, with the people you attract around you. My journey has been anything but linear, filled with twists and turns, doubts and discoveries. Each step, whether it felt like a setback or a leap forward, has contributed to where I am today. And for that, I am grateful.

Changing careers or contemplating "what could have been" is a common experience. Many of us have moments of reflection, wondering if we took the right path or if it's too late to pursue our dreams. The truth is, it's never too late to change directions or reignite a passion. Your experiences, no matter how unrelated they may seem, contribute to your unique perspective and skill set.

For those of you considering a career change or feeling uncertain about your path, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. Embrace Your Journey: Every experience, whether a success or a failure, adds value to your journey. Embrace it all and see how it shapes your future.
2. Stay Open to New Opportunities: Sometimes, the best opportunities come from unexpected places. Stay open-minded and willing to explore new paths.
3. Leverage Your Skills: Your previous experiences have equipped you with valuable skills. Find ways to leverage them in your new endeavors.
4. Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive community. Whether it's friends, family, or professional networks, having people who believe in you can make a world of difference.
5. Trust the Process: Trust that you are exactly where you need to be at this moment. Even if it doesn’t seem clear now, every step is leading you to where you are meant to be.

As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the importance of following your passion and trusting the process. Life has a way of bringing us to the places and people we are meant to be with.

I hope you enjoyed the Tonys, and go support your local theatre. It is good for your brain, helps you think about the world differently, and supports all those burgeoning artists—actors, dancers, musicians, designers, builders, stage managers, directors—who need our encouragement and support because they reflect our humanity and our truth to us so we can be more empathetic to each other.

Here's to embracing the journey, wherever it may lead.

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