One of my father's favorite phrases as I was growing up was "Try it!". I couldn't say I didn't like something, whether it was spinach or water skiing, until after I tried it. Over the years I've come to realize how much of my success I owe to my acceptance of those words as one of my values. My first job wasn't one I would have picked as my ideal career choice, just one I decided to try for a couple of years until I determined what I wanted to do as a career (Actually I believed I would work for a few years, get married, stay home and raise a family, so I didn't think the job I took mattered that much). I couldn't have been more mistaken. I mastered the skills of that entry level position and I was given the opportunity to move up through the corporation into different positions, each with its own skill requirements and additional responsibilities. I accepted each new opportunity with the thought "well, I'll try it; if I don't like it I can always go back to my previous position". But I've enjoyed every career change I've made. I was with the same company for the past 28 years, and while I grew up and started my career on the east coast I was able to stay with the company when I moved to the Mid West for 10 years, and since moving to California 12 years ago. I've discovered I possess a large number of different talents and skills I never would have thought were within me had it not been for my being open to trying new opportunities. I've also discovered that if I believe in what I'm doing and focus my energy on accomplishing my goal, whether it's learning a new skill or starting a new business, I will succeed. That's why I am so excited to be a part of CareerFables.com. I think it's a great idea whose time has come and I am committed to making it a success.

Email Patricia Swatzell.