Career Roadmap
Emilie'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
Jamesville Dewitt High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
Normandale Community College
Bachelor's Degree
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
Onandoga School of Therapeautic Massage
Certification
Insurance
Dearborne
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Poets, Lyricists & Creative Writers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: English Language and Literature, General
Bachelor's Degree: Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
Certification: Insurance
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Discovered a love of writing, despite my dyslexia, but became convinced it was a dead end interest.
2.
Went to massage school, because that seemed to fit. Fail.
3.
Moved halfway across the country and enrolled in community college.
4.
Worked as a writing tutor part time and in a drug store part time while going to school full time.
5.
Left school to work various retail jobs full time.
6.
Studied insurance sales, got certified to sell life/health insurance, but found it wasn't for me.
7.
Landed a "real" office job, and started researching how to write for the internet/copy/fiction.
8.
Saved enough and paid off as much debt as I could, before diving into freelance/blogging.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Writers make no money. Besides, you're dyslexic. Maybe you're smart, but is your writing really good enough for anyone to pay for it?
How I responded:
The way I beat it was just to keep writing. I found a small group with which to share my work, and took all constructive advice to heart. I'm still doing that. Cruelty did happen, but I learned to let that bead off my back, and turn it into material for future work. Your path is your own, and even when discouragement comes from a place of love, it can always be overcome. Keep practicing your passion, even if you need to do something else for a while. Hard times make for great future works.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I worked hard at assorted day jobs, budgeted carefully and kept an eye on how to save more money. I still budget every day, and am very careful with my finances.
Being a woman isn't easy. I've had to defend myself online and off for the simple fact certain people felt my gender is cause for abuse. However, I know I'm stronger for it, and there are others on which to lean. Inspirational figures help a lot, too
I'm dyslexic, which still isn't accepted or well understood in most circles. I write a lot about my experiences with dyslexia-good and bad. I also learned how to care for myself to prevent burn out or the difficulties I still experience.