When young, people ask what you want to be when you grow
up. The possibilities have no limits
when your age is in the single digits.
Becoming an astronaut seems no more difficult than working as a burger
flipper at McDonalds.
As time and circumstance happen to everyone, the
possibilities narrow. Decisions are made
that set a person on a path that becomes harder and harder to change. Choosing a college, a major, a career and a
spouse begin to cast the mold of a person’s life.
Now consider my mid-life crises theory: Once we reach the approximate mid-point of
our life, our brains begin to weigh the aspirations we had when young to how
things are actually turning out. Many of
us discover that we didn’t become the astronaut who travels to the moon. Instead, we drive an economical car to a
generic office building and sit in a small cubicle typing on our computers.
Sometimes this can lead to changing our course is some shape
or form. Maybe it is buying the uneconomical
sports car. Or maybe it is changing jobs
or going back to school. Whatever the
change, it affords the feeling of having some semblance of control still -- that
maybe there are still endless possibilities.
As I approached middle age, I made several such course
corrections. For the most part, I was
happy with my life. However, unexpected
life events can result in unforeseen changes.
This is what happened to me.
After working over 17 years for one of the largest financial
institutions in the country, I saw the writing on the wall. The company was outsourcing its information
systems at a quickening pace. People I
had worked with for years were let go.
Soon, I was the only original member left on my team.
To prepare for the inevitable, I retired from the National Guard. I knew from watching other Soldiers how hard
it can be looking for a job when a potential employer knows that you can be
called away from work. I also knew it
was time to refresh the schooling on my resume.
Consequently, I enrolled in the Master’s in MIS online program at the
University of Arizona (UA).
As anticipated, I was told that I could either transfer to
Ohio to continue my employment or take a severance. My decision was to part ways and chart a new
course. With the money from my
severance, and with the help of the G.I. Bill, I focused on my degree. After graduation, I will see what new
opportunities I can find.
The “Business Intelligence” named in the blog title represents
one of my last two classes. If all goes
as planned, I will be graduating this December.
This blog will contain my thoughts and observations on topics covered in
class over the next seven weeks.
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