SINGING A NEW TUNE

From an early age I knew I wanted to be on stage. Performing is like oxygen for me – I love the energy of a live audience and honed my talents to become an opera singer. There was an intellectual stimulation as well; mastering foreign languages, embracing new cultures and being a savvy self promoter and negotiator.  My musical career took off and I was living the dream!

Over the course of several years, the lack of financial security, benefits, and living the life of the proverbial starving artist was taking its toll, financially and emotionally. Not to mention the laborious international travel and the reality of missing my husband. So, I knew I needed more in my life to make it complete but how does an opera Diva with degrees in Music find a new career?

After some serious soul searching, I realized that singing opera was something I did but it did not entirely define who I was as a person. That was liberating but how was I going to make a living? Last time I looked, opera singers were not high on the list of sought after job candidates. Or so I thought…

Years later, I now consider myself a Jill-of-all-Trades since I have enjoyed a myriad of career opportunities in television, radio, and theatre using my voice and stage presence professionally. My career repertoire also includes event planning, academic advising, marketing and communication, public speaking, employer development, recruiting, and career counseling. Now, I can add author and blogger to that list and I am confident that I will continue to add experiences that play to my strengths since I am empowered with the knowledge that I can do many things well.

I am still performing but now I don’t have the stress of earning my living as a singer. I founded a professional singing group – The Grateful Divas with 3 fellow singer friends and we perform to raise money for non-profit and charitable organizations. I’m now a Diva on a philanthropic mission and I have been liberated to enjoy myself as a musician in ways I never thought possible.

Currently, I have the great privilege of serving as a Director of Career & Professional Development at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. I am coaching the next generation of lawyers to be ready for the prime time realities of the world-of-work.

I truly believe that anyone can learn to sing a new tune and have proven that in my own life.  Taking what I have learned on a personal level and with the hundreds of clients I have worked with, I have created a navigational system for career change and reinvention.  In my forthcoming book: This Is Not the Career I Ordered: 52 Ways to Reignite, Reinvent and Recharge Your Work and Your Life, I will introduce you to people from all walks of life and work who have mastered the art of change and reinvention.