New job!

Yes, i've been back in Philly for only about a year now, and i've already accepted a new position. I guess you can say I like a change of scenery. I won't be working downtown anymore - which is kind of sad - but hell, I can still (or rather start) going in to hang out more. I feel good about this decision - it's getting me back to level I left (Director as opposed to Manager) when I moved out of New York. Will I be at this job 10 years from now? That is doubtful. Not because of the job, but because I most likely will be making a career transition. To what? For years I contemplated going to law school - so much so that i'm taking my LSAT next month. However, the more I talk to people and learn about the law profession, I feel like the things I would enjoy about practicing law would be outweighed by the things that would make me unhappy.

I eventually want to stop wearing suits and sitting behind a desk or having to negotiate with people or kiss their butts. I strive to not wake up and dread having to go to work and deal with the typical 9-5 structure. I don't want to feel like what I do is "work" but rather something that I enjoy and is just part of my lifestyle.

So what is my lifestyle? I imagine if you asked most people that know me what comes to mind when they think of me, the answer will be along the lines of a dancer, athlete, and sports enthusiast. I'm an active person - i'll run 20 miles in 20 degree weather at 5 in the morning because I love it, despite rubbing my skin raw on the bottom of my foot or the shooting pain radiating from my popping hip. I also feel strongly that if we have the ability to help others, it is our duty to do so. And frankly, with my schedule the way it is, I don't feel like I have the time to do enough to help others.

I was chatting with my massage therapist one session about this sort of thing and he suggested maybe I should consider health services. The irony in this is I initally had though about this close to 15 years ago when I was applying to colleges. A few schools I applied for dance - the path I eventually chose - but the others I applied for majors in the sciences - Biology & Physical Therapy. I knew I wasn't going to dance forever, and somehow I overlooked this interest i've had in the sciences and health services when I made my transition towards more of a business career.

Now, i'm starting to look at it again - i've been talking with my trainer, Lee, my massage therapist, my physical therapist, and other friends about this. I've even been speaking with program directors and philadelphia area colleges to learn more about what I would have to do to make this kind of transition. What peaks my interest the most at the moment is becoming a physical therapist who specializes in sports injuries. I'd have to go to school at night to take a bunch of prerequisites in order to apply for a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program. That would probably take 2-3 years for me to complete on top of enrolling in a 3 year DPT program. It would be a long journey - but one I think would be well worth it because the end goal is to just be happy with my life. Being happy to me is working in a field that I enjoy, yet still having the time to train on my own and enjoy life. Money isn't a priority for me - Enough money to live comfortably, yes. But I have no desire to work 12+ hour days for a nice paycheck. It's just not worth it to me.

I'm not making any definitive decisions right now - i'm just exploring my different options. Please feel free to weigh in with your thoughts or suggestions!