Greetings! I'm Bridgette, and once upon a time I was a little girl who grew up on a farm that wanted to be an astronaut after seeing Sally Ride on an episode of Sesame Street. I later changed my mind in 2nd grade and was determined I was going to be a fashion designer. By 4th grade I was going to be a famous ballerina, but my dreams were crushed a few years later when one of my dance instructors explained the harsh reality of this thing called body type, and that I did not have the right one to be a ballet dancer. I was better suited for the likes of jazz, tap, and hip-hop. As I continued to bounce back and forth between the variety of "when I grow up" options, there was one constant: theatre. I was always performing in some way shape or form, or writing and creating stuff in my imagination. So naturally, one day, the light bulb in my brain turned on and said "I know! I'll be an actor!," and thus began the journey toward an unfinished bachelor's degree in Theatre with a focus in Acting that ends in job a in a completely unrelated field. So, how did I get here? Well, I go where the wind blows me and my heart follows. Along the path of my love affair with with the performing arts I have taken on many jobs over the years that were very customer service driven. It all started with a drive-thru job at Arby's in high school. Swoon. Every girl's dream, I know. Be jealous. Then there was the multitude of positions I took on through the local city's Parks & Rec department. You can also throw theatre box office staff, Borders employee, coffee shop barista, fitness trainer, at home jewelry sales, and lots of retail jobs in the mix. Then one fine day, to my surprise, I landed a corporate job at the big insurance company in town as a payment plan representative. I was certain this was the stepping stone job that would be my golden ticket to the big bucks I could save up to make the big move to Chicago, New York, or L.A. That was 10 1/2 years ago, and I'm nowhere close to that goal. But that's because 10 years ago I didn't realize that I wanted be precisely where I am right now. Right now, I'm a woman who knows exactly what she wants. For the most part at least. Stick a restaurant menu in front of me, and by the time everyone else is ready for dessert I'll have figured out what I want to order. I digress. Ten years ago I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I wanted to be in the big city working 3 part-time jobs, hopping from audition to audition trying to get my big break, and that by taking a corporate job I had somehow failed myself. However, what I learned was that I love to help people, and figured out how truly intelligent and resourceful I am, and that there is so much more to me than the girl that loves all things Arts related. I had so much untapped potential, and so much more to offer myself and others than what I thought possible. So as I started working harder, going above and beyond, and exceeding people's expectations of my job responsibilities the dream of bright lights, big city started to reshape itself. I started to envision a life where I didn't have to sacrifice things or move far away for a career I was passionate about. I saw an opportunity to build a life where I could have an amazing career that provided terrific benefits, salary, and job stability while still getting to dive head first into the local community theatre scene to fulfill my creative side. I saw that opportunity, took it, and never looked back. Since then it became a focus on career development within the company. What did I want to do? Where did I really feel would be a good fit? And I was brought back to all the different service based administrative type roles I had taken on over the years. That's when I knew that I wanted to be a secretary. This farm girl who used to have pet cows and was obsessed with Alice in Wonderland (Still am. I'm woman enough to admit it. I'm also still waiting for my letter from Hogwarts. My owl probably just got lost. Right?), this girl, me, after years of soul searching had found her calling. I have always thrown myself full force into just about everything I do, and if it's something I love doing I give 110%. I didn't know what it was that drew me to an administrative role, but the moment I sat down at my new desk as a secretary for the very first time my whole world changed. I was the happiest I had ever been at a job, and what makes me happiest is knowing I've done a terrific job making things easier and more efficient to those I support, and bring a little sunshine into their day in the process. I've been a secretary for 6 years now, and I decided last year when I learned about the CAP that it was going to be my goal to earn my certification in 2018. I met with my mentor, and discussed it with other peers of mine that already have theirs to get an understanding of why it's a great credential to have. Like I said, I will give 110%, and when it's something I really want then I'm going to make sure I have all the tools I need and then some to reach the goals I set out to achieve. My goal is to keep developing within my current role, and I eventually want to be an Executive Assistant. After meeting with my peers I knew that in order to get there, that the CAP was a crucial step to making that a reality. So that's why I'm here, and am focusing on this exam 10+ years after finishing my Associates Degree and dropping out of college and not completing my bachelor's. I am a woman who has always hated studying, but now that it's for something I really want it doesn't seem so bad. Earning the CAP would be my life's version of getting that big break that lands me the academy award I always dreamed of.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Bridgette. Congratulations on taking this next step in your personal and professional development. Your willingness to give 110% will serve you well in your quest to earn your CAP. Best wishes with your studies. We can't wait to celebrate your success with you!

Thanks for sharing your story. Excited to hear you taking the next step towards your Certification. You can do this.

Bridgette, Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. I think many of us would agree that it is easier to study those things that you enjoy and I wish you the best as you move through the CAP study materials. This is your year to certify and I wish you all the best!

What a lively story to share, Bridgett! I think you might have a future career in writing as well, but being an administrative professional is a very worthy career in itself. I'm so excited to be sharing the journey with you to Hogwarts, oops, I mean the CAP. Let's do this!

Thanks for sharing your story.  It reminded me of my daughter who graduated WMU with a major in theater performance...she's now a director at a private pre-school and absolutely loves it!  It isn't always easy to figure out what we want to be when we grow up.  You go girl!  Follow your heart.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us! You have the passion and drive to apply 110% and get to where you want to go in your career. Keep moving forward!