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A college summer job in a Disney gift shop prepared me for content writing, editing, and coaching in ways I didn’t expect—and here’s what I’d share with younger dreamers too.

In the summer after my first year of college, I took a job at Disney’s EPCOT Center near Orlando, Florida. I was a gift shop hostess—the shop where I worked was right next to Spaceship Earth, the EPCOT entryway landmark. With Disney’s focus on guest experience in their theme parks, we as employees were called cast members. Our role was to create a wonderful experience for our guests.

I loved interacting with our visitors from all over the world. I enjoyed getting to know the other cast members too. They were awesome to work with, and many of them came from other countries. I loved everything international, so it was the perfect working environment for me.

What I didn’t realize at the time was how one summer job would shape my future career. 

Continue reading “What Working at EPCOT Taught Me about Writing”

In the early 1980s, when I was a sophomore in high school, my friends and I enrolled in Junior Achievement (JA). We traveled to a big conference center one night a week to meet with our business mentors and participate in a JA business venture.

Each JA group was involved in a business project, where we created and sold a product, all the while learning about how to run a business. Our group was tasked with making and selling hanging flower baskets. We stained pieces of wood, assembled them into a basket shape, and sold them to people who wanted to support our endeavors.

Early on, we all voted for a president of our little ensemble. I had no intention of running for any office. But my friends encouraged me to try. So, I raised my hand and said I would like to be in the running for president.

Continue reading “Courage to Raise My Hand”

My first freelance role began in my teen years, in junior and senior high school. I played flute and piccolo in the band, and I played piano for fun. Every year, we went to district contests, hoping to perform well enough to go on to the state competition. I performed flute and piano solos and participated in trios. But I soon discovered another role that I really enjoyed—piano accompanist.

Many instrument soloists needed a piano accompanist for their contest performance. When word got around that I was an experienced teen pianist and would already be at the contest venues, I suddenly had my first freelance clients. Through the years that followed, I played the piano accompaniments for woodwind, brass, string, and percussion soloists. Through that experience, I learned a lot that helps me today as an editor and ghostwriter. 

Continue reading “Teen Piano Accompanist, Creative Collaborator for Life: What Piano Taught Me about Listening and Support”