I wanna be like Mike

"Why are you good at your job?"

I was asked this question by a student today at Ingraham High School because I was participating on a panel for career day. I was representing PATH, which felt weird, because at the age of 24, I have little business representing a 30 year old organization. But I took a stab at answering her question because I couldn't just respond by staring dumbly.

"Well, I'm good at my job because I believe in maintaining consistency across projects. I can flexibly handle a mid-stream switch without getting frustrated. I do not have ADD, but have so many responsibilites, I work like I do. And above all, I ask questions because I usually don't know the answer."

One of the students approached me after the panel and said, "I don't know how I'm going to get there, but I want to be like you." (cue my incredulous laugh) Upon further investigation I found out that she actually wanted my job, not necessarily to be like me. But the idea of having a role model stuck to my mind, and I've been kicking it around since. Over my lifetime I've had many role models which have been elevated due to whatever goal(s) I am working toward.

When I was younger I wanted to be a marine biologist/interior decorator like my Auntie T. Except that she was neither of those things:). For some reason I thought she was. Weird. I switched ambitions to musical theatre and thought that I might belt out "I am what I am" with my hero Linda Eder on a Broadway stage. Then came college and my role models "matured" with me. I came into my own in the poli sci department and so did because of people like Fareed Zakaria (before CNN), Chris Matthews, David Brooks, and Reed Davis. My role models now are Beth Moore, Dear C, Henri Nouwen, and almost anyone who can shed light on how to lead a daily walk of faith. I love that God created so many different kinds of people to be role models. And He is so gracious, He doesn't limit your life to an allowance of just one.

As I was walking out of the school I met pilots, firefighters, ad execs, and a groovy art enclave director. I wonder, who were their role models? Wouldn't it be cool to get all of your role models in one room so they could meet each other and see their collective product?

kiki san