Special or crazy
who knows …
It takes a special kind of person (or a crazy one) to make a career change after 25 years in one industry. I must be really special because not only did I leave the legal field and my work with the Superior court in order to stay home with nearly adult children, but seriously took a left turn when I joined the healthcare industry as an Executive Assistant to a hospital Chief Operating Officer, Board of Directors (and now for the Chief Nursing Officer as well).
This is literally the first time I have ever worked in a corporate setting. Where budgets and FTEs and decisions coming down from many many levels above me is a strange experience. But, I have to admit, I love the human interaction and the idea that for right now, I’m happy working in my community and not tied to downtown Seattle or what the jurors are doing. Learning a set of new Executive Assistant skills don’t suck either!
It’s a very different world filled with words and acronyms that I don’t understand. Titles and organizational charts. Executives and the knowledge that I am a tiny cog in a very big, national healthcare wheel. I also have received more immunizations than I’ve ever had in my life! Big changes - but I’m enjoying the change. I like the executives that I get the honor of working with daily and I love meeting new people. At court, the staff wasn’t entirely concerned with customer service. It wasn’t part of our job description and although I tried greeting everyone with a smile and a helping hand, our department wasn’t evaluated on customer experience. The fact was that we were one of the friendlier departments and known for our relaxed and customer service orientated demeanor. In healthcare, it’s all about patient experience, which allows me to smile and invite conversation. You know, customer service! I’m at my desk most of the day - but when I need human interaction, it’s just outside my door.
My mom always said that learning new things is a great way to keep your mind active. She loved hanging out with my daughters because the constant calendar and having to remember which bag went with which kid helped keep her sharp. I think she’d be proud of my change of career and would immediately change all her doctors to ones I support. Just because … that’s how she rolls.
For now, I’m very much enjoying life with my husband during our much more frequent date nights, trips to our vacation home to enjoy the sunshine on the river and visiting with friends and most especially the opportunities I have to enjoy my daughters as adults and seeing how very much they are just like Dave and I. Sarcastic and kind with a side of laughter at all times.
Happy belated Fourth of July and cheers to a summer where the weather hasn’t been horrible and the Columbia River current takes all my worries away.
Gabby