One positive aspect of being laid off is that I was offered this opportunity to work in California for three weeks as a consultant on a Web site. While having dinner and drinks with my boss and a newly-made friend, my boss asked me off-handedly:
“What do you want to be when you grow up? [Ed. note: I'm 24.] What would get you out of bed in the middle of the night, hungover as hell, only half-awake? What is it that would make you get out of bed?”
I thought about it for a second. And I was scared to answer the question—I’m not sure because it was because I was scared of what I would say or I was scared of the reaction I would get. Would it be dumb to say what I really thought? Or in this economy, should I say something that is … sensible? (My grandma says I am sensible…)
My answer was: To be told that we’re flying half-way across the world to film a documentary.
I don’t really know why I said that. The only things I’ve ever produced were two-minute-long Web videos for Education Week. But I enjoyed going out and filming, then coming back and reviewing the footage. And I developed a sense of satisfaction in becoming Final Cut Novice.
As I continue my job search, I hope I end up in a job where I can produce some videos. And maybe down the line, I could go to grad school for broadcast journalism or for film. But that would require another student loan.
Oh, dear. That’s not gonna happen anytime soon.
So, back to you. What sort of activity would make you get out of bed—even if you were hungover as hell and only half-awake? And is that activity somehow represented in your current career?
