Quit Braggin!

I'm not much of a braggart when it comes to my own accomplishments, mostly because I don't think I have that many. I am willing to shamelessly brag on how smart, weird and funny my kids are and how talented, kind and wonderful my husband is. However, when I do something well (especially if it's a surprise) I have to force myself to share my good news. So, here goes. I've been asked not once, but twice, to give presentations to different groups about web stuff. Me. The late-to-the-ball, non techie, Luddite.

Believe me, being web savvy is not second nature. I've come to learn just enough to get myself in trouble and invited to do a seminar. I remember taking a "computers 101" course at a local high school with mostly new immigrants back in the late 80s. My former roommate was conducting the seminar so I should have felt comfortable. But I didn't. I remember the trauma of switching from typewriters to computers at Journalism school and I was freaked out. I was convinced I was never going to land a job.

I once was offered a job which was advertised as having strong knowledge of advertising and publishing. Check and check. By that time, I'd been in ad sales for about five years and two of them were in publishing. What I didn't know was this job a) involved tons of flying (I HATE airplanes)and b) was completely digital. I would have to create and execute PowerPoint presentations to publishers in the U.S., about a product that used to include hard copies, but was now all online. First of all, I'd never, ever opened PowerPoint once in my life and second of all, I ONLY knew had to email. For reals.

I'm good at sales and was able to sell my many other fine points during the interview (I had a family to feed) and told myself I'd learn on the job. By day two on the gig, and I'm not even kidding, I knew I was in WAY over my head and went straight to the boss. And, told him so. Despite being the only one with a job at that time, I was willing to give it up and look for something else that would be a fit. My boss desperately wanted a woman in the department and convinced me I'd have all the training I needed and would be wonderful at the job. Needless to say, I lasted about a year and a half before I was on medication for depression and ready to take an admin position or work at a restaurant again, just to get out of it. Thankfully, I found a wonderful position with another magazine.

Fast forward several years and I'm in another country looking for work. By this time I had done a good job of getting my writing portfolio together, with national newspapers and magazine stories under my belt. I found a position as a web editor and thought I should apply since I write and had been keeping up with my blog (WelcometoCharlotte-meg.blogspot.com). I figured I might have a decent shot at it, though I was well aware that I wasn't necessarily much of a web person and I don't love to edit. Regardless, I would be writing every day and it was a job in my field. The editor liked my writing and said I'd be able to learn the web program as I went. Where had I heard that before?

This time, I did learn on the job. A lot. I got familiar with all kinds of software, online publishing programs and yes, even PowerPoint. Best of all, I had earned some confidence when it came to my abilities as both a writer AND a techie. Did I love having to edit and fix web problems? No. But, I learned a very valuable lesson which I've carried with me everywhere I've been since. Make IT guys (let's be real; they're 99% guys) your friend. They are almost always nerdy, hilarious, sarcastic and very very smart.

I digress. Let's fast forward another year and I'm back in New Orleans, at another job as a media specialist, requiring me to create a brand new, semi custom website. At my previous job, we had gone through a website re design so I knew I could do this job...with help from a team of programmers from India. I'm no programmer, but I do know some basic html and CSS. Plus, I had a "Dummies" book so how hard could it be? I severely underestimated the challenges of working with a team of guys with heavy accents on a different time zone. Wow.

In this position, I probably learned the most. I am now very comfortable PowerPoint and even discovered some other programs that work with it and create even more spectacular presentations. I have learned more code and another new software program. Do I know how to edit photos, audio and video clips? Check. Am I a social media maniac? Yup. Can I create web pages on my own? Check.

I'm now at another University as web content editor and loving it. I'm responsible for social media and am killin it. Our followers, fans, likes etc are increasing 10 fold. I create pages, menus, write stories, take meetings, make suggestions...I love it. I guess the enthusiasm is paying off because I've been asked to conduct a "how to use social media for your business" seminar as well as a "create great presentations with SlideRocket" one too.

I'm not quite ready for either one, though I could get the social media one together rather quickly. As for the latter, it's a bit terrifying to consider but so very flattering to be asked. Whether I do it or not, the point is, I've been asked. I've got some skills and others recognize them. So, I'm braggin.