An appreciation and passion for the outdors that was fostered throughout childhood and refined during the years getting my undergraduate degree in Studio Art has defined my post-college career and is still a guiding factor in my life today. For the past five years post college I have worked within the outdoor industry in varying roles, mostly sales oriented. My path within the outdoor industry consisted of beginning with seasonal outdoor work, to working for an outdoor retailer to working for a prominent outdoor brand in sales. During my time at SCARPA I applied and got into the Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy, which is a leadership program for outdoor industry individuals put on by the Outdoor Industry Association. Throughout the program there was a focus on strategic career development, which involved taking a close look inward to truly evaluate our strengths and weaknesses in an attempt to uncover our passions to then form a career around those. During this process I found that my current job and trajectory was not a role that played to my strengths and provided myself with the level of fulfillment that I am looking for within a career and day-to-day job. I am a strong visual processor and problem solver, and I need to exercise those skills ona daily basis ideally in a project based work environment in order to find fulfillment.
Software development is something that I have tinkered with as a hobby since taking computer science classes in college and applying coding to my visual art. Making the drastic life shift to do a program like Turing has been on the back of my mind for awhile now, but it was always hard to make that shift as opportunities in my current trajectory kept presenting themselves. The SYFLA program was a defining moment, where I came to the realization that I want to make this transition and need to take action on it now. I intend to pursue my passions in a new facet by combining my work in software development with art and the outdoors in order to work in a space where I am able to find a happy medium. Software development is the driving engine that allows me to exercise creativity, learn constantly and work in a project/problem solving based area.
John, really great draft of your story. What does SCARPA stand for? I know it is easier in written form, but be sure to communicate out full names instead of acronyms when talking to people so they don't feel lost. Love that you are clear on how to connect your passion to your future. This is in a great spot!