The Skidmore College Career Development Center believes that the principals of the Chaos Theory of Careers to be most applicable for liberal arts students in the current economic climate. In this model, career development is recognized as a dynamic system characterized by complexity, interconnectedness, and susceptibility to change.

The following is part of the CDC’s Encouraging Stories Series featuring members of the Class of 2009.  During the last major economic downturn, these individuals exhibited these characteristics as they navigated the early stages of their own careers.  Below are stories and advice in their own words.

In what ways has your career path since Skidmore been non-linear? How did your Skidmore experience inform this path? 

When I graduated in 2009 I struggled to find any employment, much less relevant employment. I was living in Worcester, MA volunteering to film lectures at the American Antiquarian Society, but made no money and was running out of options. So I decided to make some moves. I talked my way into a position as a field hand at a small family farm. I worked like a dog for maybe five years. I'd move and work seasonally in agriculture during the growing season and pick up jobs in New York City in the off season. I slowly worked my way up the farm ladder over time becoming a machine operator and finally Foreman on the farm. I thought agriculture would be my life! Unfortunately, at the time, manual labor positions rarely come with health insurance. And manual labor is very hard on the body-- all the joints ache. After a few personal tragedies, I decided I couldn't go back to the farm. I got a job working nights as technical support at a Science Peer Review Meeting/Publishing Tech company. I knew nothing about the field, but the work was physically easy and had health insurance. I taught myself as much about database structure and coding as I could.  I worked remote and got to travel the U.S. to support Scientific Organizations' Conferences. Time passed and I found myself living in a flophouse (of sorts) in Boston's South Shore right as the opioid epidemic was becoming visible. The pipes froze and burst that winter and I had to get out. I moved in with an old Skidmore friend in Brooklyn-- he had a spare closet that needed filling, and I am still there now! Using my labor experience and tech knowledge,I was able to join the constructiondepartment of a small non-profit organization that provides free home repairs to low income and under-served homeowners. I learned a lot: working in allfiveboroughs, every neighborhood, every topology of building, with every trade. I worked in NYCHA buildings in Brownsville, in basements in Canarsie, roofs in Hunts Point Bronx and multiunits in St George, Staten Island. I oversaw dozens of simultaneous construction sites and contractors, and got to swing hammers on my own from time to time. I walked over the Gowanus Canal superfund site everyday on my way to work-- the pollution was still unreal. Anyway, this story got long!  The Gowanus Canal got me thinking about water and the rising seas, so I I started looking for ways to learn about waterways and resource management, and found my current position where I am running a Pilot Construction program for CNYCN and the NYS Governor's Office, trying to help coastal communities prepare their infrastructure for rising sea levels. I am still fairly new to this world, but have learned a few lifetimes worth so far! My time at Skidmore set me up for where I am now. I developed a mentality through education, and that I am better than nobody, and no work is above me. Learn and obsess over the things that interest you, try everything and glob together a career one fist of clay at a time! 

What kinds of knowledge or skills did you unexpectedly use to navigate a difficult economic period? 

Rice and beans are incredible!  Learn to cook 'em right! Learn to do your laundry in the tub. Get good composite toed boots as steel-toed will get your foot chopped in half if you're working around machinery.   

What insights or advice do you have for others with similar backgrounds, or pursuing a similar path? 

Keep going! Don't worry about throwing down roots early, just plant them deep when you do! Never assume you are right! Go where people like you the least and learn to win them over! Be kind and take care of both yourself and others. 

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