Shortly
after I graduated from college, I took a temporary position assisting the staff
at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine as they prepared
for their annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. The organization, I would soon
learn, had thousands of members -- mostly M.D.s and Ph.D.s -- from all over the
world who specialized in the research, development, and application of MRI.
These members would soon converge in Denver for a 7-day accredited medical
convention with 9 parallel sessions, over 1500 poster exhibitions, and a
technical exhibition featuring the latest equipment from 50+ companies
including GE, Philips, and Toshiba.
My
job, which I bit into with great force, was to assist the staff in anything and
everything. I alphabetized paperwork, ran errands, found files, took phone
messages, and tied up loose ends. Four short years later -- after learning from
every conversation and transaction that came my way -- I'd wiggled my way up to
top of the meetings staff and was directing conventions and workshops in Europe,
Asia, North America...you name it...all because someone had given me an
opportunity on that very first day by opening the door.
We
all have stories like this. We've climbed ladders, gone out on limbs,
built things from scratch; our pathways are varied and unique. But I'm
sure we all have something in common, too: strong hands that have reached out to
guide us, pull us forward, and to lift us.
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Kimberly & Katie
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I
love when doors open for me and I love opening doors for others. It's the way
the world works. If you're in a position to take an intern under your wing I
encourage you to connect with the career centers at Chico State and Butte College.
Open
the door to your business, invite someone inside, and change a career path (and
a life!) in the process.
~
Katie
Thanks for taking me under your wing at Velo, Katie. You definitely opened the door for me and my career coordinating volunteers and event planning. I appreciate all of your time, patience, advice, and friendship. You are a great mentor and your new intern is so fortunate to be working with you! Yes, I am taking the lessons I learned from you and applying them...my intern started today. -Renee
ReplyDeleteRenee, I've been thinking of YOU these past couple of days and the work we did together. It's been very inspiring to watch your career take flight and I'm proud of the mini role I played along the way. I love that you now have an intern who will learn the ropes from a master. Well done! ~ Katie
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