Hello and welcome to my blog!
I've tried to start a blog before. Actually, I've thought about it a dozen or so times. The handful of blogs I did start (and one vlog, lol at 2007 YouTube) never lasted long; I always got distracted by school or work. (Those are my excuses and I'm sticking to them.) But now, blogging is part of my work!
I have a bunch of ideas for blog topics. Despite this, and the fact that you can find thousands of topics on Google, I wasn't really sure where to start with this introduction post. I know that's a little silly. Obviously, I should introduce myself, but therein lies the problem.
You know how it is with introductions. When you suddenly feel like you have never done anything interesting and have no hobbies. The nice part about a blog is that (unlike in person) I can take my time and choose my words. So l thought the beginning (of my marketing journey) would be a very good place to start. (Yes, that was a reference to The Sound of Music. Fact: I like musicals!)
Where It All Began
Partway through my sophomore year of college, I realized I had to change the major I was set on for years. I barely passed my classes. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. It was definitely a slump, but looking back, it was also a pivotal point for me.
Growing up, I always assumed I would become a teacher. I loved learning, reading, and writing from a young age. (I've been a nerd since day one.) Since school came naturally and I'm extroverted and good with kids, being a teacher seemed to make sense. I didn't really know what I wanted to teach, but band was by far my favorite class in high school. And that's how l ended up starting Northern Michigan University as a music education major… The condensed version, at least. (Someday I’ll probably explain how a girl from the Chicago suburbs ended up in the Northwoods.)
I play a few different instruments (jack of all trades, master of none everywhere I go). My main instrument is bassoon. I was pretty mediocre, and I didn’t have the drive to practice enough to truly get better. I love music and am passionate about music in schools, but I wasn’t willing to work at it. I didn’t know what to do. My mom has always instilled in me the importance of loving what you do. At the same time, I knew I needed to find something else, something l was willing to work my butt off at! (I’m a super passionate person, which translates to being very driven, at certain things.)
Changing My Major
I had to find another major for the second semester, so I picked my next favorite school subject and went with English education. By the time summer came, I was questioning education altogether. It felt like that was the only career I really considered. I spent the summer listing out my skills and hobbies, taking career tests, and researching.
I got the same results almost every time: communications, marketing, and public relations. When I really got into the nitty gritty of the jobs, they were all similar enough and in the same realm. I decided on public relations based on the critical thinking and analysis aspects and degree requirements at my university. (Communications and marketing both had more math classes, if I’m being completely honest…)
Do What You Love
You know how certain popular sayings have an ending that's often forgotten? Like...
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back."
“Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ.”
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
“Jack of all trades, master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one.”
How many of those full sayings did you know? I knew two and learned the other two from this article. I grew up hearing that you should do what you love. But it took a while for me to learn that loving something doesn't mean it has to be your career. I was trying to force a career from my passion instead of finding a career I'm passionate about!
So that's my extended phrase: "Don't just do what you love, also love what you do."
I couldn't figure out why I had all the passion but none of the drive the other music majors have. I know you're not supposed to compare yourself to others, but I never loved practicing like they did (or sightsinging, that class was my literal nightmare). I am still very passionate about music and music education opportunities in schools. That's never going to change. But now I know the best way for me to love music is by supporting musicians, hopefully joining a community ensemble again soon, and maybe someday, with my marketing/communications skills.
(Credit to Cabaret for the title of this blog. I first saw it when my high school performed it and I immediately loved it! The 1972 movie starring Liza Minelli is awesome as well.)