This post is written specifically to you, my social network. This week, I’ve done something crazy.
I quit my job.
I hear the shrieks now. “What??!?! Are you nuts?” “Don’t you know the economy has taken a nose dive??” “We just saw you at a national conference! Why didn’t you say anything then?” Believe me, I doubt you’re saying anything to me that I haven’t already said to myself. But I think being at High Ed Web only highlighted that, in Milwaukee, I was surrounded by people from across this hemisphere who love what they do and put up with a lot in order to do it. You tend to see that kind of drive and motivation within social media and higher ed. It’s one of the many things that trips my trigger. In my case, however, the technologies I use, the events I engage with because I love being part of them were not things I was doing for my specific job at Penn State. They were things I was doing for me. The last four conferences I’ve been at? Not funded by my department. That’s right, folks. Over $2000 in hard earned currency for two national conferences, because I felt that strongly about presenting and connecting with others in this field. I’ve also had to take vacation time in order to pursue the kind of
professional development I’ve felt was necessary and relevant to my
interests. Thank goodness for friends who felt it was important I was in the mix as well, because they let me room with them to make this happen. Those are good people, folks. I don’t take that lightly.
I can hear you, you know. You’re sitting there, shaking your head, asking “Why?”
Why what? Why quit my job? Why fund my own professional development? Why go through that effort, time, expense, and frustration?
Because for me, this is the right fit. I am good at making connections. I thrive on social media. I love people, and honestly believe that engaging the entire community can create something bigger and better than if just a few people poke a stick at it. I’ve seen this theory succeed again and again, I know it is real, and I know that it is an incredible high to see people you have gotten engaged see the light for themselves and take an idea to places you never even considered. Call it what you want — drinking the kool-aid, jumping on the bandwagon, whatever — but getting people to see the possibilities by doing things in an open, collaborative environment is one of the best things I have ever done.
Ever.
And suddenly I realized had no heart for my old job and shouldn’t be there. I want a new one. (Cue Huey Lewis and The News, because I definitely want a new drug.) I want one where, much like today, I bolt out of bed because I have a really crazy idea and want to see what happens. I want to be as engaged as those people I help to see what social networking can really do. In order to do this, however, I have to pull out the resume, brush off the portfolio, and update my life. Do you realize how hard that is to do when everything you can point to isn’t part of the 9-5 job, but rather part of your 5-9 life? It’s not as easy as you might think. And how exactly does one provide examples of social engagement in a portfolio? Can you do that in an engaging manner? Because I have fallen into that old way of thinking, where I sit, dusty portfolio in hand, and I’m really not sure where to go with it–just that I have to go somewhere new.
So now it’s your turn.
I want you to look over this ePortfolio (dear God, I am feeling rather naked and vulnerable here) and tell me, in the comments, how you would improve it. Some things are missing, and some things aren’t highlighted the way they should be. I know that. But I have this crazy idea, you see, that engaging my community can create something infinitely superior to one person poking it with a stick. I’m now holding my breath, my life, and my ego in my hands and offering them to you. I have only some basic parameters to follow:
- My portfolio still needs to stay in the MovableType blog format, because this is what the Blogs at Penn State project is built in. Plus, I like it. You can scrap the tabs, or come up with better categories if you choose, but it has to be MT format friendly.
- I need new ideas–how to better highlight social mediums, technologies, even bits of script or MT plug ins that, you know, “does cool stuff.” I’m totally open to your suggestions and ideas, but if you have URLs for me to reference, that will help. Please add them.
- Many of you have far superior tech skills, but I need this to look better quickly, and my hardcore coding is rusty. Therefore, there are the immediate gratification updates, and there’s the ZOMG-this-is-really-cool-but-will-be-something-I-have-to-bash-my-head-on-for-a-while updates. Tell me up front if your idea is one of the latter. I’ll tackle that next week. 🙂
- First round of suggestions will be incorporated throughout the day today, because I have to submit my portfolio for an interview. So don’t be like me, where you have to sit and cogitate and make the language beautiful to the point that the draft never gets published. Get it down, send it out. I will be thankful.
- Last but not least, please be kind. I know I’m always putting myself out there, but this is unprecedented, even for me. I believe in you guys, and am trusting that you’ll keep your snark in check (well, most of you) and be helpful and supportive. You’re my peeps, guys, and I’m fragile. Ish.
Okay, that’s really all I have. Oh yeah, that and I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. So the clock is ticking.
Tag, you’re it.
Congratulations! I’m always impressed when someone has the courage to take a leap, be it personal or professional. When you follow your passion, good things happen!
Give TypePad a try … they can scrap your space to pull all the MT goodies out without much stress. It’ll look you out of doing new plugins and the like, but it is a powerful platform. The other thing to consider is that wordpress.com can do a really decent job of importing your MT blog — although it will only reference your old images at your PSU space.
I’d take cues from those fantastic moo cards you have for yourself. Your look and style are part of your “calling card” and those are a great representation of who you are. How do you measure/quantify social engagement? That is a killer question … I doubt it has anything to do with counting followers. I’d make sure I had at least one example of things across multiple mediums — a podcast, a video, photographs, text, etc. I’d use these as a way to share where you’ve been and where you are going. I’d just be yourself — that is why you left the old place and you need to find the place where you can engage on more shared terms.
I hope that is helpful!
Hey! Can’t really help you on the resume but wishing you the best of luck!
I can hook you up with Lightbox (to display portfolio images, videos, etc) on your MT blog easy peasy.
Um, I have watched you shoot video, take pictures and use flickr to tell some amazing stories. That is what digital storytelling is all about, right?
I have listened to your podcasts (how I miss you chicken and stars) and I have been in meetings with you over adobe connect. These are skills that set you apart and make it possible for people to connect with you in so many ways…and for you to connect with them.
Please find a spot to list out what software you are familiar with, because while it may be second nature to you, it may be just what someone is looking for.
Good luck, Robin. It takes guts to walk away like you did, but you did it for the right reasons. There is no reason to stay somewhere that makes you feel unappreciated and under valued which you were if you don’t have to. My only advice is to be yourself. You are a talented person, let that shine through.
Robin, I can totally identify with this, as I am doing something quite similar. I am looking for practice clients for my career coaching certification process and I am good with resumes. Want some free coaching? Let me know.
Robin, wherever you land, they will be very lucky to have you! Let your personality shine through, and it will all be good.
My one suggestion for your information here would be to change the title of the tab from “work examples” to something like “presentations and projects.” I found “work examples” to be confusing (or maybe too generic) for what is listed there.
My 2 cents, and hope it helps. I’m pulling for you!
Hey Lady, Got lots of thoughts on the portfolio, which, by the way, I think rocks. Hannah’s comment earlier, though, has me thinking about storytelling. Might you think about putting a little of that in here, too? Tell the story of the community–this community–in here.
Sending you more editorial types of feedback through e-mail. Hazards of being a former English teacher. 🙂
First I have to say, you did the right thing and it took more courage than most people can even imagine. I have found in many cases, people will take a wrong turn along the way and rather than turning around to do what they know they should, they keep going down that path with the false disillusionment that it could take them where they want to go.
With that said, I think you could revisit the “What Not to Wear on the Web” presentation to remind yourself that you know what you are doing here. The presentation and design of your space should reflect the things you want people to take away from it. I know, I know, “Aesthetics more important than function? Really usability boy?” Well, sort of. People have stages of judgment that starts with the “look and feel” of your space. Keep it easy and clean. Don’t hesitate to add scripts and technologies, but avoid the in your face approach. Distractions can become a cognition barrier. Once they get past that first stage, they can begin to see your work. I think you should take Audrey up on the Lightbox JavaScript. It gives focus on one thing and eliminates any other distractions. A version I have used allows for navigation within the Lightbox view which I recommend. Not sure if hers has that or not but I gather that would be easy to find out. I also like the suggestion to rethink the tab labeled “Work Samples”. The Moo cards are a great example of your personality without having to shout it across the roof tops (which i do believe I would pay to see). If I think of anything else I will stay in touch but lets face it, did I really tell you anything that you don’t already know? My best advice would be to sit down and look at one element at a time so that it isn’t an overwhelming thing. Ask yourself what your audience is and what they would expect to see. You want to appeal to others like yourself, right? What would you expect to see?
Screw the portfolio. Tell them what you told us.
I agree with Dave.
Good for you, Robin! I have a strange addiction to helping people re-write cover letters and revise their resumes. Please feel free to feed my addiction.
The first thing you might want to do is change your job title and contact information. : p
I wish there was a way to spotlight, in real time, some of the technologies that you use…for example, my Twitter feed (which may or may not be interesting) shows up on my personal WordPress blog, which offers a glimpse of my minutiae—and people do look, because they click on them. What a great way that would be to see a glimpse of Robin2go.
It will be a very interesting day when a blog platform is able to capture your energy, spirit, and courage. I wish you all the best in your quest to find meaningful, fulfilling work doing what you love best.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin
Good luck. We’re all here to help you bloom.
Yep, you’re crazy…but in a good way.
The good news is that you will be much more motivated to find a job you really want.
Have you considered being a Web 2.0 consultant? I think you would be good at it (since you’re the one to convince me to actually try Twitter).
I hope you can use your social network to help you get a new job (or good recommendations).
Best of luck.