After the past few months of soul searching, my deep-rooted dream is to track toward life as a technology evangelist.
Yes, plenty of people focus on the relationship drawbacks of the digital universe.
But I prefer to focus on the transformative nature of social technology and its many products, networks and interfaces. Culture shift is taking place rapidly. Affordable mobile phone service in Africa made independent contracting possible for those who had otherwise limited work options. Text4Baby provides a valuable public service in sending subscribing moms regular text message updates with relevant information on maternal and baby health. And tools like Twitter have connected and enhanced interactions between private citizens and their political representatives; #weinergate disappointments aside.
In the not too distant future, I could very much see myself on the conference circuit with a book under my belt, as an expert in that arena because it just lights me up to talk about social technology. And when I get going in conversation, the giddy is contagious.
But to do that I need to get my foot in the door, preferably in mobile.
I need to parlay communications and project management experience, paid and unpaid, across academic, corporate and nonprofit environments, into a contributing position at a start up or technology company moving full speed ahead in that space.
Of course, the best place to be is in San Francisco, so I’m applying for relevant jobs there and seeking out connections in my network to try to find an in.
My biggest obstacle is just asking for help, just putting it out there. While I prefer to be radically self-sufficient, I see the truth in Marthe’s words that “only when you share your dreams do you create space for people to reach out.”
Last Tuesday, I posted about my job hunt in a private Facebook group. By late afternoon, I had an interview scheduled with a company that I had applied to the Friday before. Immediately after a promising first round, I ran into a neighbor I have spoken to just a handful of times in the 2 years I have lived in here. Turns out she’s a flight attendant who can potentially set me up with a discount flight, should round 2 come through. And I’ve found at least one sofa that’s freely available to me should I get the call for round 2 with this company or another in the Bay area.
Just because I dared to speak my dreams to the people who would listen.
What do your dreams look like?
The above is my third entry in the #Trust30 for the Ralph Waldo Emerson self-reliance blog challenge. The task: What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue?
It’s not too late to sign up and participate.
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