I'm not much for talking about myself, so writing this is quite the challenge in spite of having read several other alumni stories in hopes of gaining inspiration and guidance.

To meet the deadline I decided to just begin. In so doing I realized -- to my surprise (to be perfectly honest) -- that UVM has played a significant role in my life, placing me where I am at the moment and perhaps more so than I originally thought.

I began by asking myself "why UVM?" After having spent four years elsewhere as an undergraduate -- dissecting, measuring, researching and documenting all things biological and psychological -- I wanted to go to medical school, but I didn't feel ready. I had a friend who was going to UVM to continue her education and be a Dorm Director on campus. Hmmm, I thought. Is that something I could do?

I didn't know the answer so I started investigating the university and discovered that the Counseling program intrigued me. The potential for a work study program that involved housing and tuition assistance added to my interest since my entire undergraduate and graduate education was fully funded by summer jobs, loans and scholarships. All I had to do was confirm that it would be a smart foundation on which to build a career. Little did I know how wise my decision would ultimately turn out to be! Because of my time at UVM, my work study, and the relationships I formed, I ended up in Boston and that is where my career began.

"When the bus stops and the door opens and you're standing there, get on the bus. Don't ask where it's going, just get on and ride it until it's no longer interesting or fun." This was advice I was given many years ago by a mentor when I was in the throes of a major career decision. I was pondering a job change -- from Human Resources / Training at a large global commercial bank to consulting at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). It would be a lateral move financially, which was a big deal at the time since living in Boston was (and still is) an expensive endeavor. However, my mentor's words made sense to me and I had little to lose so, as advised, I got on the bus. It turned out to be the single most challenging and rewarding career move I would make. It set both the standard and the path for all future career changes.

I mention this because in hindsight, that's exactly what I was doing in choosing to pursue my graduate degree in Community Counseling at The University of Vermont -- I was beginning a bus ride and I had no idea where it would take me but it looked interesting.

Although I'm not a practicing counselor, I can sincerely say that I use my counseling skills every single day. I remember the hours of practicing the art of asking a good question, of genuinely listening to someone, of being able to problem solve and work with people so that they felt that THEY had come up with the solution and were committed to taking all the necessary steps to make it real. I learned how to work with a diverse group of people to solve a common problem. I established relationships that continue to this day. Not a day passes without me asking questions as I seek a deeper or better understanding or resolve an issue whether at work or with my son.

The challenge I now have is to adequately explain how my program and my experience as a dorm director shaped my path. Here are some excerpts from the story of my life that may help explain.

STOP #1: "You never know who you'll meet and when you'll meet them again. AND, sometimes you'll never know the impact you can have on others and vice versa."

I ended up in Boston because I was planning to go to Japan with one of the Resident Advisors (RAs) who worked in one of my buildings and ultimately became a very dear friend. We were to graduate at the same time -- me with my Master's degree, her with her Bachelor's degree -- and I needed to earn some money for the trip. A UVM friend connection was managing a ski shop in Boston and needed help, while another UVM friend had a friend who needed a roommate. Boston and a ski shop sounded great so I moved to Boston. One day a group of my former UVM colleagues literally wandered into the ski shop where I was working. Little did I know at the time, but another bus ride was about to begin.

STOP #2: "It doesn't matter what you're doing as long as it's legal, moral and ethical. You're supporting yourself! That's what matters."

This was advice given to me in the middle of the ski shop from one of my former UVM Res Life supervisors. She correctly identified that I was a bit embarrassed at not working in my field. It may sound trivial, but her comment reminded me to be proud of what I was doing and bolstered my confidence. It didn't matter to her that I wasn't using my degree. It mattered that I was self-supporting. She knew (more than I did at the time) that it would all work out one day. This situation also reconnected me with former UVM colleagues with whom I remain in contact to this day.

My first professional / corporate job came via a Dorm Director colleague I met at UVM who was in the small group that came into the ski shop that day. He connected me with his boss who had a job opening in the Training Department where my friend worked. She had a social services background and immediately knew how my Psychology and Counseling degrees could be applied. That was my jumpstart into corporate HR / Training, which got me to Accenture, and the rest, as they say, is history. I left consulting and returned to corporate life (Fidelity Investments) for almost seven years and then returned to consulting, opening and running my own practice.

Two years ago I was sitting in my living room enjoying a casual glass of wine with two new friends I'd met in my new “home” (Duxbury, MA) and one point led to another and another and another until finally, one made a comment and within two minutes we had determined that she was a resident in one of my dorms and further, she lived on the floor of the RA I had befriended. Talk about a small world.

STOP #3: "Pay it forward."

I have been fortunate through the years to meet some fabulous and interesting people who have all made a contribution to the path of my life and my career. Some have done so with purpose and forethought. Some have done so without even knowing it. But all have taught me that while it is wonderful to be on the receiving end of wisdom, support or mentoring, it is equally rewarding to be on the giving side. I didn't get where I am alone -- I had support from friends, family, strangers. So I try to keep a “pay it forward” mantra top of my mind each day.

I try to be sensitive to and open about how I can impact others on a day-to-day, small way. It ranges from trying to smile and not let my (bad) mood rub off on others, to giving back to the community, particularly my graduate and undergraduate colleges. For me, my education was truly my “jumpstart” experience. I am so grateful for my education, the people I have met along the way and the lessons I've learned that I do all I can to preserve the brands and the quality of both institutions.

Both my husband and I are deeply committed to giving back. We recognize and are grateful for our educations because they've enabled us to achieve our goals and connected us with some fabulous people over the years. We volunteer both time and money to both our graduate and undergraduate institutions. I'm happy to say that recently I was elected to the UVM Foundation Board (Audit and Stewardship Committee).  Prior to that I had been on the Foundation Leadership Council and was the 2015 Commencement Speaker for the UVM Graduate School ceremony.

We also feel strongly about making sure that the community we live in remains vibrant and strong so we contribute there as well -- serving as Overseers and Trustee to the South Shore Conservatory and our Friends of the Duxbury Library. I teach two days a week at Suffolk University Sawyer school of Business (Organizational Behavior) and volunteer with Boston's chapter of Year Up. We believe in helping to keep the brand of our universities and our communities as fresh and relevant and meaningful as possible and the best way to do so is to actively engage.

STOP #4: "If life were work they'd call it life and not work."

And now for what really matters! This funny little quip reminds me of what's important -- husband and family and balance and friends. I have the most supportive husband who has been through all the ups and downs and curves of my career path and yet he still loves me. In fact, he's my source of energy and inspiration. Our son challenges me every day to be a better person and he's an endless source of energy and awe and humor and sensitivity.

Together we enjoy watching a good movie and, when we're not doing that, we're most likely to be found outdoors biking, skiing, playing tennis or golf. We are a bit obsessive about staying in motion but when we do stop, it's usually for a movie or family game night and a bowl of popcorn. The true source of my pride and strength comes from my family. And though I recognize that some days, weeks or months can be out of balance, if I can find a little time to tend to those around me, then all is good.