An Opportunity To Pay It Forward

It was 2 am on a Saturday, and the regular crowd was shuffling out. 

My apologies to Billy Joel for taking creative license with his iconic Piano Man lyrics, but when I speak to college students about my career and how it began, this is the place I usually start my story. And I’ve been sharing my story with anyone who would listen for nearly 30 years now.

When I first moved to New York City, I was armed with a master’s degree in writing from Emerson College and some solid work experience. With these assets and my superior intellect (ahem, arrogance), I naturally assumed the Big Apple would roll out a red carpet along with corresponding and well-paying job offers.

Very quickly I learned this would not be the case. I was underwhelmed with entry-level positions and job offers that would barely pay my rent, and frustrated by countless rejections for other jobs that I felt were more worthy of my skills and education level.

This went on for six months, and when I went home to Ohio to attend a close friend’s wedding, I questioned myself, my future and what the hell was I doing in New York? I wondered if maybe the big city was simply too big for me.

When I came back to New York after the wedding, I made a list of reasons to stay and reasons to go home to Ohio. The list for NYC was long and inspirational, while the list for Ohio was grounded in emotion and security. 

I ultimately made the decision to stick it out in NYC, but also to remove the pressure that can come with an intense job search. Instead, I allowed myself to enjoy life and the experience of living in the greatest city in the world. And I got a job waiting tables and tending bar. I found a way to pay the bills while getting to know the City a bit more instead of trying to quickly win it over.

And nine months later, at 2 am after a busy night of pouring drinks and entertaining the regulars, I found myself digging through a dirty sink of limes, bar glasses and sour mix to retrieve a quarter that had rolled off the bar. 

When suddenly I realized: I had six years of higher education and two degrees, maybe it’s time we find a way to put that investment to some use. 

Friendship is a wonderful thing, and mine were all eager to help. I had several friends from Ohio University, where I spent four years as an undergrad, living in New York. One happened to be leaving a position, but knew there was an opportunity for junior freelancers who could write, deal with clients, and also do some administrative work. I began juggling time as a freelancer with my job at the bar. This eventually evolved into a full-time position, and is really the story of how my career in communications and PR began. 

Without a little help, without my friends believing in me and pulling me up, it’s hard to say where I or my career would be.

Because of the generosity of my friends, I’ve always made time to give a little back, particularly when it comes to speaking to college students about their career choices, and what waits for them in the ‘real world.’ I’ve encouraged college students to think broader than just their hometown when starting a job search. Early on I even invited a student to sleep on my couch while he was interviewing for jobs in New York. That one didn’t really go over too well with the wife, but she understood.

I’m a big believer in Karma, that when you lend a hand and help others, you better the odds of the world smiling on you when you need some help.

It’s in this spirit that I’m excited to add ‘Adjunct Professor’ to my current list of jobs. This semester I’m remotely instructing 20 seniors at my alma mater, Ohio University, for their Journalism Capstone course. 

In addition to working through some complex brand marketing and crisis communications issues and case studies, and debating the news of the day, the real opportunity will be to bring a group of people together and share stories. 

Stories of searching for quarters at 2 am.

Stories of the power of friendships and lasting relationships

Stories of lending a hand to create opportunities for others, because we’re all in the mood for a melody, and you’ve got us feeling alright.