Career Roadmap
Curtis's work combines: Writing, Education, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Writing, General
Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne
Graduate Degree
Creative Writing
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an English Language & Literature Teachers, Postsecondary:
Bachelor's Degree: Writing, General
Graduate Degree: Creative Writing
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I was working 3-5 part-time jobs, and had roommates to help make ends meet before I realized I had to do something to make a change.
2.
After a talk with an ex-girlfriend's father, I realized I didn't want to have a bunch of "if-I-could've-should've-would've" enablers holding me back, so I applied to college.
3.
I obtained a full-time job at ITT/ACD, which helped with my finances, but my time management between work, school, activism, and social life was hard to maintain.
4.
With doing too much, I got into a car accident. Luckily, I wasn't hurt, and I didn't hurt anyone else. My car was totaled. My mother asked me, "What are you giving up?" I focused on work and school.
5.
Although, I could only manage working full-time at my job, and sometimes picking up a part-time job, I could only do part-time school, so it took me 9 years to get my BA and minor. It was worth it.
6.
To continue my education, I broke off an engagement, lost friends, quit a good paying job, and uprooted myself to pursue my dream of writing. Then, I had to deal with 9/11--1st year of grad school.
7.
I recall going to family funerals, losing a close friend in a car accident, feeling lost, but then finding an amazing group of individuals that are my friends/family until this day.
8.
After divorce, lost, and heartache, I'm still standing. I'm still creating new courses, meeting new people, and learning from them, as hopefully much as they learn from me. I am part of a community.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
When I went from architecture to poetry, many people questioned what I did: "How will you make any money as a poet?" "Why are you giving up architecture, are you sure you want to do that?
How I responded:
I just used that fire in me to accomplish the things I've done. I put it all into my writing, and showed family, friends, peers, etc. that I was serious about what I was doing. Once they saw that, many changed their minds. I don't get the questions too much anymore. If I do, it's from someone who doesn't know me, or my situation. Always do you, be you, kick you in the butt to make the things that you want/need happen.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
As a 1st-gen college student, you find out a lot of things on your own due to not having any background in the process. It can be overwhelming but there are people and organizations there for you. Use those sources. It's not weak to ask for help.