AnaLissa Sison

I'm obstinate and determined. I've always thought for myself. I knew I was the one person I had to face every day. I didn't want to become the person everyone or anyone expected me to be. It was important for me to be true to my goals and beliefs. I finished my degree. I started and succeeded in my career. I suffered a life altering set back. If I wasn't so obstinate, it would've destroyed me. It wasn't feasible to return to my previous career. However, I'm tenacious. I redirected my energy towards something different. I started testing, quality assurance, blogging, and creating UGC. All voluntary but it kept me focused and moving forward. When faced with a set back my options were to mourn what I had or to begin something new. I chose the latter.

"Your job title doesn't define you." - Mikki Hand, Supervisor, Lincoln Lincoln Community College Outreach Center, Taylorville

My first employment experience out of college was as a college professor at a local Outreach center for a local community college. As a college professor, I created my own curriculum for the courses I taught. It sounds simple. However, the outreach center only employed three professors who weren't on the trades side of teaching. In addition, we had a supervisor, a secretary, and a highly capable volunteer. Just before I left service, an intern was added to staff. Essentially, we ran the building. Set up and clean up for special events was staff responsibility. Weekend tutoring was staff responsibility. The public computer lab was staff responsibility. The installation of new hardware and software was staff responsibility. Unlocking the doors and opening the building as well as locking the doors and closing the building was staff responsibility. Some people think out of the box. Others learn to live out of the box. My first supervisor taught me to survive not only in the constantly evolving IT environment but also in the always changing world around us.

Never stop learning. There will always be someone better than you. Even if you're technically more knowledgeable and competent, it'll never be enough. Compete with no one but yourself. Be a better version of yourself than you were the day, week, month, or year prior. Focus on what value you can add that others can't.

I create user generated content (UGC). We're lumped together with digital creators. The field is vast. We're like wildflowers in an open field. Companies have to look into that field and decide which of us uniquely meets their needs or has potential. There are a lot of us. Everyone is skilled or possesses the necessary tools to give that appearance. The biggest challenge to opportunities is saturation. When I say, "anyone can do it." I mean it. The difference lies in whether you want someone competent, committed, and skilled or if you just want the job done regardless of passion, knowledge, and quality.

I value connection. When you work in an office, your absence is obviously noted. When I changed careers, I believed that was behind me. I thought it'd be complicated to establish any kind of real bond with the companies I've worked with or my peers. I was wrong. I enjoy doing what I do. I'll admit a great deal of my dedication and commitment comes from the unsolicited concern and care I receive from my community. I began my journey because I'm incapable of remaining dormant. I continue because potentially adding value to others lives is important to me.