Have you ever stopped to think about who it is that helped you get where you are? Who do you know that helped you stay on the path?
Family and Friends are a automatic √ - what about those people that you would consider a mentor or an absolute influence on your perspective of life or your work.
For me there are a number of these people, but one I’d like to tell you about right now. Michael Jenner was my professor at HSU. As the years of college rolled on she saw something in me that she felt was worth encouraging. I remember, I was always doing the projects the way i wanted to do them. I was always adding too much that had nothing to do with the class project. I think she got a kick out of it (in a hindsite 20/20 kinda way), but i also know I was that student. The one who seemed to be playing more than working.
Turns out I shaped up and after some time she even gave me a job as her Teachers Assistant. This was a huge step for me. She also gave me all the web jobs that were coming into her department, helping me get my feet wet and getting paid. Absolutly awesome, what more could you ask for. You go to school, get credits and get paid all at the same time. What a deal.
After Graduation i took off for 2yrs, but i came back thinking i wanted to teach elementary or HS. (that didnt last long) But!! Michael was glad to see me and said she had plenty for me to do. She gave me a job as an Intern helping with all the things that I was doing before
Michael helped me out in so many ways i couldnt begin to return the favor. She always seemed to be an unlimited supply of knowledge and understanding. Also she was cool. If you havnt seen ‘Where’s Popa’ than you should.
All in all she is one of the biggest influences of my professional career. We still email and talk about work and houses and all that. She’s awesome.
