For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by seemingly average-joe people who have advanced
degrees in completely unexpected fields. These were the people I always wanted to get to know – the ones
who had a story of where they had been and, good or bad, how they got where they are now. You know, the people who are more than meet the eye types. There never really was an “aha” moment, for me it was more of
a “what do I have to lose?” moment sitting there bored again at my desk at work. No amount of web surfing or making long distance calls on the company phone could satisfy my general boredom with what I’d become.
I logged onto the admissions web page of a school I’d been pondering for a few years and applied to a masters program on a whim just to see what would happen. I was shocked and ecstatic when I was accepted weeks
later. Did they really think I was worthy?? Suddenly I had a whole new long term goal to work towards! The emotional side of the pursuit wasn’t easy since I would have to voluntarily extract myself from everything that
was familiar. The program would take two years and this school was 800 miles away in another part of the
country. I remember crying through the entire explanation to my parents of how important this had become
to me and that I needed to do this to prove I could. Even though I’m an adult (this all happened in my mid-thirties) and haven’t lived under their roof in years their opinion was what would make it or break it for me. I don’t know what I else I expected, but they were completely supportive, which made the situation both easier and more difficult. Easier, because there was nothing left except me holding myself back. More difficult because it meant I had to follow through with the whole idea. So, I went.

The program was so interesting and not as difficult as I anticipated. To boot, it connected me to a group of people who were into the same things I liked. Five years later I’m here still. Now I, too, feel like one of those interesting people I used to admire only from the outside.

Jennifer
Savannah, GA

Take a moment to look in the mirror today, and ask yourself this question: "Am I living out loud?"

When I was 9 years old, I discovered two things that changed my life forever: 'WKRP in Cincinatti' and my Dad's tape recorder.

Soon I was making my own radio shows, talking between the grooves of the 'Grease' soundtrack, inventing comedy skits and song parodies. Although it continued to bubble just beneath the surface, that's pretty much where the dream lay dormant until my early twenties.

At age 22, after earning a Business degree, I decided that my true passion was music and entertainment. My love for creating laughter and happiness won out over the more lucrative business world. Despite the radio industry's reputation for low salaries, I found my niche and enjoyed it for 10 challenging and rewarding years.

The seeds planted during that time have brought many wonderful people into my life. Having followed my passions, I now enjoy a life spent doing what I enjoy.

My current job titles include: Professional DJ, Emcee, Author, Stand-Up Comic, Motivational Speaker and Comedy Writer. I consider myself very fortunate to have made choices to follow my dreams. You can do it too.

Take a moment to look in the mirror today, and ask yourself this question: "Am I living out loud?"

Steve,
New Hampshire