Finding a Job That Matches Your Interests

Today I visited the NY Mets website to look for information on retiring Mike Piazza's number (31). While there, I thought I’d take a look at the types of careers that were posted. I scrolled to the bottom of the page and there it was, “Job Opportunities. While there wasn’t a lot of detail there, it referred me to the NY Mets LinkedIn page where there were lots of interesting jobs (including internships).

Think about your interests. Does fresh food preparation appeal to you? Maybe you love to look through the food videos and selections at Blue Apron. Do you turn to Netflix to catch up on the latest episodes of your favorite shows or movies? What about your beloved sports teams? Take a look at their career pages. It sounds like common sense but how many people look for careers with their favorite brands or interests? Not many. Sometimes we forget that the Day-to-day companies that we love are also employers.

Snow Storms

A favorite memory from when I was a little girl was waking up in the middle of the night during a snowstorm. I’d get out of my snug bed and pad over to the window to look at the snow blowing around the street light. It usually meant that there would be no school the next day.

I'll admit to the fact I do the same thing now and get just as excited.

 

Reinvention After Retirement

The definition of reinvention is to redo, to make changes or to present something differently. I’ve found that whether intentional or voluntary, no one can remake themselves better than the members of the Baby Boomer generation. For Boomers, reinvention presents an opportunity to make changes within work or life. These days, when 60 is the new 40, and 50 is the new 30, many Boomers aren’t ready to ride quietly into the sunset. Many would rather chart a new path with a different career, a volunteer position or some other life change.

One of these resilient Boomers is author Michael Brigati. After 25 years with the Chesterfield County, Virginia Fire and EMS Department, Michael retired in 2004 as a Senior Captain. During his tenure with the force, he was also a nationally registered paramedic and rescue diver and a peer crisis counselor for emergency services personnel. He was also selected to speak at the World Congress of Critical Incident Stress.

Leaning on his experience with the Fire and EMS Department, Michael recently released his first book, FIRE THIEVES. I recently caught up with him to ask about the book, on becoming an author and on reinvention.

What made you decide to write this book? 

I’ve written several articles for trade journals relating to my profession throughout my career and had always contemplated taking a crack at crafting a novel. However what brought about the decision to actually bring FIRE THIEVES to life was to honor my son, Matthew. Matthew was fatally injured in a motor vehicle accident and it was the darkest moment of my life. I decided to write the novel and dedicate it to his memory; a choice made to create something positive rather than sink into a seemingly bottomless pit of despair.

What is FIRE THIEVES about?

A fire rages out of control at Criton Chemical Company, a large fertilizer plant in Chatterton, Virginia, owned by a powerful Iranian businessman. With thousands of lives at stake, brothers Patrick and Shane Meagher fight to contain the blaze before dozens of ammonium nitrate tanks explode. When arson is detected, both firefighters are drawn into an international web of deception and death, intended to destabilize an already volatile Middle East.

Why did you choose this topic?

FIRE THIEVES originated around a campfire shared with a good friend along the banks of the James River. At night, conversation would be lively on any number of subjects to include incidents we had run into and to the tension that seems to be rising worldwide and the havoc wrought by emergencies of all sizes. I began to weave a storyline that was exciting, and even if fictional, highly possible.

Were you able to insert parts of your former job into the storyline?

My protagonists are a family of Firefighters. The incidents and increasing tension they face, and how they respond to them, reflects the policies, operating procedures and behaviors that are followed and exhibited by Firefighters everywhere. The reader will get a feel for the actual jargon used, the equipment carried and generally what it’s like on the job.

How did you make the story real to current events?

I’m fortunate to have been surrounded by fantastic and knowledgeable professionals who have served in the military, law enforcement and the fire service. I asked each to provide details relating to actions they might take in the FIRE THIEVES storyline and blended those to make the tale come to life.

How did you know you could write?

Like any of us, I don’t think it’s as much ‘knowing’ we can do a thing so much as trying. Receiving encouragement from my children, my friends and my peers, gave me the belief that perhaps I could write; so I tried. 

What was the most difficult part of the writing process?

Any writer will tell you, all sorts of distractions are inherent in the process. For me, the most difficult part was staying on task. Many times I would drift off thinking of my son, Matthew, the motivation behind FIRE THIEVES. If not for my daughter Kristen’s encouragement, I could not have completed the book.

You took what you knew and reinvented yourself. Any advice for someone going through the same thing?

I strongly suggest you put your best effort into what you enjoy; what makes you happy or satisfied. Then set goals. I’d also suggest meeting with like- minded individuals to exchange ideas or combine your passions and talents.  Finally, enthusiasm is vital to your success.

Anything else to add?

I have been approved and have aligned myself with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and one dollar of every book sold is being donated to that organization.

FIRE THIEVES can be found on Amazon. Further information can be found on my Facebook page or website.

If you have a story about reinvention after retirement or a layoff, please contact me at nancyanderson@blackbirdlearningassociates and I may feature you in a future article.