At the end of the year I like to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going. I like to have a goal to aim for. Goals may change but with a goal I can create a strategy to accomplish the goal and take a direct path towards it. I like to be constantly moving forward learning new things, but I recognize the value of building on previous knowledge and experience. One of the interesting things about life is you never know where it will take you. On this broken merry go ‘round and ‘round and ‘round we go where it stops nobody knows according to Kacey Musgraves' hit song. What brought me to today and where will life take me in 2016?
My dad was a computer programmer when I was young. I grew up using computer cards and scratch paper to write on at home. Computers were huge back then and had to be kept in air conditioned buildings. I didn't understand Fortran or Cobalt or any of those languages my father used. Now I enjoy finding new solutions to problems using technology.
In college I studied human development and family studies--a combination of life span development and systems theory. I enjoyed working with kids throughout my college years. I conducted numerous developmental assessments of children and provided feedback to their parents. My mother thought I would become a teacher. I was always good in math but I wanted something more challenging than teaching basic math to kids. One year I took accounting for fun, but had no interest in being a math teacher or an accountant. Now I enjoy teaching anybody motivated to learn--regardless of their age!
In graduate school I developed strong research skills which required strong analytic skills. I performed advanced statistics on mainframe computers. I also taught a few college courses. I still preferred working with kids but understood enough about education when I took my first professional job I quickly gained expertise developing adult learning programs. Being a perfectionist and a very competitive person I wanted to know if my training was doing what it was supposed to do. Was I achieving my goals? Very few clients ever evaluated their training. I had no idea how to evaluate it, but I was intrigued, developed relationships with leaders in the field, and gained the knowledge and experience required to not only evaluate my own products but to also help other organizations develop and implement evaluation strategies of their own. After spending more than 27 years at one company I left to become the subject matter expert on training evaluation at another company that uses cool tools to collect data online and display results using electronic dashboards.
In 2014 I started my own company, CStarsky Lifelong Learning LLC. I thought it would be fun to return to my roots and offer what I could related to human development. My goal was to offer cutting edge services through the company, as well as consulting services that used my strongest skills. I also wanted to explore new opportunities. As I've grown older, and my friends and relatives have grown older, I have developed an appreciation for the experiences we've all had and the stories we have to share with each other. Some of my favorite opportunities through CStarsky have included delivering virtual online training and creating personal enrichment programs (e.g., writing workshops) for senior living communities.
I have followed a unique path throughout my career. I have met and learned from fascinating people along the way and have been having fun pursuing different interests. When I've gotten bored I just created a new path! I have an appreciation for the lyrics of Hunter Hayes, I don't want easy I want crazy. I’ve enjoyed the ride. I appreciate the fact that I have had the freedom and flexibility to follow my interests. I am a strong believer in pursuing developmental opportunities. What will the future bring? In 2016 I want to continue to build my business, especially the personal enrichment programs for seniors.
How about you? Are you pursuing your interests and taking advantage of developmental opportunities that can enrich your life? Tell me about your developmental interests in the comment section or send me an email. If you have interests I can help you with let me know what they are and how I can help you continue your learning in the new year!
