My professional life started in the power generation industry. For the first half of my career, I operated nuclear power plants, installed fuel cells, fixed instrumentation and control systems, and kept natural gas flowing to millions of customers. My area of expertise was in instrumentation.
In the mid-2000s, while pursuing my MBA, I hit a major turning point in my career. I began to rethink my long-term career goals. In the years that followed I reignited the love of art, design, and games from my childhood. I volunteered at game conventions and became part of a wonderful artists community. I learned to use Photoshop and sold artwork at gaming conventions. I worked on my writing skills, learned the fundamentals 3D animation, and I began developing training videos. While continuing to work in instrumentation, I began integrating these new skills into my day job.
The combination of technical aptitude in instrumentation and media development allowed me to transition into technical training and adult education. I pursued a second master’s degree in educational technology from Boise State University. In that program I learned about teaching and learning in virtual worlds, games and simulations in education, and general edutainment. Eventually, I transitioned from technical training into instructional design, and learned to develop training programs across a variety of industries.
Today, it is at the intersection of project management, media, art and education that I’ve found my home. I took the long way around to get here, but I think it was worth it.