Peer to Peer Magazine

26 PEER TO PEER: THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF ILTA | SPRING 2017 I have followed a winding path in my career to find places where I could enjoy being all-in, job-hopping way before millennials made it cool. I did not set out to hop around, but two things have kept me moving: 1) the need to be challenged and learn new things, and 2) the need to feel I am adding value and solving problems. I have held jobs in various industries, and one of the best things I have learned is how to apply what I learned in one job or industry to another. Another is not to be afraid to start over every once in a while. Starting over can be scary, but, in my experience, the benefits far outweigh the fears. Early in my career, I was an engineering-turned- technical-writing major looking for a place to balance my technical and creative sides. My first job was with an insurance company. Through a series of fortunate events, within five years I had moved from data dictionary analyst to technical writer to department manager. Most people thought I was crazy to leave, but I knew I had tons more to learn, and it would not happen if I got stuck in a "management" rut. I wanted to do things, not manage them. Down my next path, I dove head-first into a gig as a technology journalist. Anyone remember Datapro Reports on Minicomputers? That was me for 11 months, which was the time it took me to realize I had jumped to the wrong spot. I did not worry about being there less than a year; I focused on the new skills I added to my toolbox and moved on. My mantra has always been, "What is the worst that could happen?" The worst is never as bad as you imagine. I will not regale you with all of my career do-overs, but people also thought I was crazy to leave my last job at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Labs to go work in a law firm. Maybe it was a lile crazy, but I had read about law firms starting to think and act like businesses, and it sounded like a nice new playground to visit. Sixteen years later, I am still at the same firm. And with four job titles in that time, I am still hopping. Starting over does not have to mean taking a new job somewhere else anymore. If you ever feel not challenged in your job, decide what might re-engage you. I feel lucky to have landed in an industry that has evolved and embraced technology; since our jobs have to change with it, there are continuous opportunities to take a chance and try new things. I discovered ILTA 10 years ago, and now I find it hard to keep up with the great ideas and inspiration from ILTA peers. I have even hopped around in my ILTA volunteer roles and highly recommend that path if you are looking for something new. Change can be scary, but it can also be exciting. Your dream job might not even exist yet. My advice would be to start small. Remember, you can find almost anything you are looking for through ILTA, including great connections to find you a new job if you really want to start over. What is the worst that could happen? P2P by Cheryl Disch Hop Around: What's the Worst That Can Happen? Hop Around: What's the Worst That Can Happen? SMART MOVES CHERYL DISCH Cheryl Disch is the Senior Manager of Marketing Information Systems at Duane Morris LLP, where she is responsible for technology and deliverables supporting the firm's business development activities, including proposals, research, experience and client relationship management. Cheryl focuses on applying technology to improve ways to capture, analyze and share information within the department and with attorneys and clients to help grow the business. And she puts her English degree to good use by writing and editing content every day. Cheryl has been active in ILTA since 2007 and is the 2016/2017 Co-Chair of ILTACON. Contact her at cdisch@duanemorris.com. I focused on the new skills I added to my toolbox and moved on. I am an all-in kind of person. I like having a job I can dive into and actively participate in. My obsession with Halloween has filled half my basement with decorations and led me to take vacation days to celebrate. All-in.

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