Job Questions > What path did you take to your current career > Jon's Answer

My career, up to this point, has been a broad 360-degree revolution from my college education and desire to enter media to today. I was educated at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach (ERAU) where I joined the student newspaper and quickly became one of the dedicated regulars, eventually becoming Editor-in-Chief. I was elected twice to that role, and I was equally drawn to such roles. So, as I earned a Aviation Bus. Admin. degree there, I was hooked by media: desktop publishing, writing, editing and more.

I have worked in a broad variety of positions in media for most of my career, doing a few notable things: I launched three media businesses as an integral part of creative and management efforts. After a bit of a false restart after getting laid off from the daily I helped start, I came upon a technical writing position with an airplane manufacturer.

I did lots of research, clarification and other work involved in a thorough technical writing and illustration job (Piper Aircraft). Then I went on to do technical and proposals writing and editing at a simulations and road tolling company (Indra Systems). It pays better than news media, and while it doesn't offer the daily hussle and challenge of media, it's good work and I do use my mind (though more sometimes than at other times). I am doing creative stuff for the need and joy of it, always, whether it's writing, illustrating, photography, and music.

I have an entrepreneurial outlook which, fundamentally, means I don't look for reasons to avoid innovating on the job. I certainly do not hide behind job descriptions. Never have, and never hope that I have to do that.