Career Roadmap
Cathy's work combines: Education, Writing, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Springfield High School
Bachelor's Degree
B.A.
Vermont College
Graduate Degree
IMA
Goddard College
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Librarians & Media Collections Specialists:
Bachelor's Degree: B.A.
Graduate Degree: IMA
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Always have been an artist, but as any artist can tell you that is a difficult way to make a living.
2.
Lots of different jobs to support the work as an artist, to varying degrees of success.
3.
Not able to finish my college degree, at first, because of a vindictive relative who wouldn't sign the papers for me to get my financial aid.
4.
Lots of odd jobs and then some success as an artist.
5.
Worked painting houses, pumped gas, took care of the elderly, became a head guide at a historic house...
6.
Had a small farm, grew flowers, raised sheep---didn't make enough to live on...
7.
Realized (when older) that it was time to get a degree...
8.
Saw an ad for AmeriCorps---changed my life completely. Served two proud years in AmeriCorps---loved it--absolutely loved it--went to college--and got my Masters Degree and that changed everything!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You can't be an artist you are a woman. You can't go to college, I won't sign the papers for you to get the money. You should be a secretary.
How I responded:
Keep fighting. Do not give up. You are worth it. You can wind up doing amazing things. Believe in yourself... All of this sound familiar? It is. The thing is having gone through amazingly difficult times, more difficult than I would go into here, the thing is, it really is all about hanging in there, no matter what the barriers are and keeping at it. AmeriCorps was my way up and out.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Difficult childhood. Lots of poverty. No healthy mentors. Abusive parents. Abandoned by parents. Abusive relatives. Abandoned by relatives... Lack of self-esteem. Poverty...