The Backpack There's a backpack I'm always wearing. It's worn in like the purple canvas Jansport I carried through middle school and high school. Comfortable and sturdy. Faded and covered with patches and pins collected over the years. When I close my eyes, I can still feel the worn straps pressing gently into my shoulders. I can smell the faint mustiness of old canvas. I can still see the water stains from the day a flash flood filled the backseat of my little faded red 1983

Looking for Solid Ground My early career started in business operations for a large technology company. This was my first career pivot after leaving public education in search of financial stability during my divorce. I remember feeling scared and untethered. I was young, navigating the end of my marriage, and searching for solid ground wherever I could find it. Overall I enjoyed the work. There was space for me to be challenged, work on a variety of projects, hone skills in