The other day I had a conversation with someone who was interested in hiring me for a freelance gig. He’d reached out and we’d traded a few messages when he asked something along the lines of the following: So, do you have any experience with live-blogging? Yeah...you could say that. “Live-blogging,” for those of you … Continue reading My History of Live Event Blogging and Social Media Coverage
What Excites Me About The Work?
(Note: This is based on one of the questions asked in Ron Elsdon’s book How to Build a Nontraditional Career Path: Embracing Economic Disruption.) Over the course of my career I’ve had the opportunity to write about a lot of topics, industries and products. I’m sure I’m leaving more than one thing off, but the … Continue reading What Excites Me About The Work?
What Experience Could I Gain to Improve My Value?
(Note: This is based on one of the questions asked in Ron Elsdon’s book How to Build a Nontraditional Career Path: Embracing Economic Disruption.) “What can’t I do?” is a question I’ve asked myself fairly often over the last 18 months or so. Since being laid off, as I’ve searched for full-time jobs and worked … Continue reading What Experience Could I Gain to Improve My Value?
Everyone Has a Story
I’ll admit to a character flaw I think many of us fall victim to: I’m fairly judgmental. Anything that seems “odd” or “out of the ordinary” or “not what I would do” gets a shake of the head from me, the representation of a feeling that someone is making an unusual or inconceivable choice. Over … Continue reading Everyone Has a Story
What I Learned In 2017
There’s been... a lot...that’s happened in 2017. Even more so than 2016, when I was let go from my last full-time job and began what might generously be called an “unexpected” career path, this year has been one of learnings, new beginnings, shedding of old notions and much more. I don’t want to overstate things. … Continue reading What I Learned In 2017
Marking One Year of Retail
Today is an auspicious day for me. It marks one year since I began working a part-time retail customer service job for the first time in 10 years. When I first started the job we kept saying “It’s only until…” with a date that kept being moved out. I never thought it would be a … Continue reading Marking One Year of Retail
What Content Expertise Do I Possess?
(Note: This is based on one of the questions asked in Ron Elsdon’s book How to Build a Nontraditional Career Path: Embracing Economic Disruption.) If there’s one thing the last year and a half has been good for, it’s taking stock of my abilities. At this point I have a pretty good idea of what … Continue reading What Content Expertise Do I Possess?
Two New Looks at The Freelance Reality
Two new studies have appeared recently that give additional insights into the state of the freelance workforce and marketplace. The first comes from The Freelancers Union and Upwork while the second comes from financial services company Payoneer. There are a number of insights that jumped out at me as I perused both reports. The Field … Continue reading Two New Looks at The Freelance Reality
Spotlighting My Experience
I’ve leaned into the reality that I’m a full-time freelancer. In many ways that’s a freeing situation because I get to do what I love - write, primarily - without the hassles of corporate politics and other issues. I love working from home and being available to my family. While I’d welcome the chance to … Continue reading Spotlighting My Experience
The Support Necessary to Succeed
(Note: This is based on one of the prompts from Robert S. Kaplan’s book What You’re Really Meant to Do.) I haven’t lacked for support throughout my career. My wife has been an amazing source of that, particularly in the last year and a half of job instability, income unpredictability and other trials. My bosses … Continue reading The Support Necessary to Succeed
Chris Thilk 