My New Gig
June 22, 2009
I’ve started this post a dozen times. I’ve thought it ought part-way at least 3 dozen times. I never get past the first paragraph or two before I collapse in either giddiness about the news, or backspace & delete madly because I think I sound to pompous – or artificial – or well, just want to go start doing the happy dance instead of writing.
I figured though, if I could find the headline for it, that would make it much easier to write. Fortunately, two women I admire greatly have already written their own variations on this post in the past couple of months — Shannon Paul when she went to work for Peak6 in April and Steph Agresta when she went to work for Porter Novelli just a couple of weeks ago. How could I do any better than to borrow the title both of these amazing women chose to use? Third time is the charm, right?
And it is a good title, you know.
Gig’s a great word for what we do. Dictionary.com offers up this as one of the 22 definitions it has:
gig (2) “job,” first used by jazz musicians, attested from 1915 but said to have been in use c.1905; of uncertain origin.¹
When I say gig, I think of jazz. I think of music as simple as a snare drum and a piano riff that can become as complicated and syncopated as a city street at full tilt.
Social Media is kind of like that to me — something that’s as natural as one person talking to another; and as complicated as one million people talking amongst themselves. Yeah, gig sounds right for a job that involves Social Media. I think both Stephanie & Shannon got that one bang on the nose.
So if you’ll bear with me? I think I’ll let this unfold a bit more like a piece of impromptu jazz – from the soul, without a plan, but starting with the song in my heart.
The BackBeat
Last year, I was lucky enough to find myself sitting in Las Vegas during BlogWorld Expo at the TechSet² party at Bare, talking to Tony Hsieh. Tony is one of the lowest key guys you’d ever want to meet, but also one of the smartest. There’s a reason his company (Zappos.com) has had such exponential growth under his leadership. His insights are that scary-kind-of-smart that makes you laugh nervously and wonder why you didn’t think of that and then realize that he’s just that sharp.
We were talking about a lot of things and nothing of importance — certainly not talking about the panel he’d graciously agreed to be on for me the next day — when all of a sudden, he looks at me with one of those shrewd looks he gets and says “so tell me… What’s your dream job?”
I was totally caught off guard. So I laughed nervously (like I mentioned above) and told him I’d think about it and get back to him.
That conversation has sat in the back of my mind with every career decision I’ve made since last September. Because I didn’t really even have the least notion of what my dream job was. In fact, I think I’d pretty much stopped believing there was such a thing.
But it did occur to me that a guy like Tony doesn’t ask silly, idle questions about things like that. I mean, his company pays people to quit if they don’t really want to work there after training — because they want people who really want to be there.
The Melody
My dream job… What the heck was that? I guess it meant not working for someone else… because I was tired of having a solution for a problem and not being able to implement it. Tired of seeing an easy fix for something and knowing that meant a lengthy battle to get it applied. Tired pretty much of seeing people & companies hit the wall because it was better to go full-speed ahead into it on the word of “someone very important” than it was to admit that it was a good idea to hit the brakes no matter who pointed out the looming wall — be it the janitor or the receptionist.
I couldn’t imagine the kind of company or bosses that would make working for them a joy rather than an impediment. So I thought I might as well continue to work for myself so that I could fire the client if need be.
You see, I absolutely, positively, no-holds-barred love the field that is currently being called Social Media. Yes, I know – I argued against the term because it originally meant the tools used to have a multi-way conversation. But over the past couple of years it’s come to mean more than that. It has come to mean those who use the tools, what can be done with the tools & the communities, and how it’s being done. Not just marketing, or real estate, or even personal conversations – but all of those – and more.
And I love it. Because it’s this ever-changing, ever-developing, exciting, intriguing field with no ‘this is the way we’ve always done it, so this is the way you have to do it’ ruts.
The Complicated Solo
So I decided to go it alone!
Okay, not quite alone. No one can work in Social Media alone. Whether working for themselves or for a company or an agency — it’s impossible to be the Lone Ranger in this arena. There is no such thing as a community of one.
I just decided that I’d keep working for me and consulting for others and see where it went. It was going pretty well actually. Just starting to get really interesting… and then…
Then? A Whole New Rhythm
You know what happened next? Someone offered me my dream job.
No really. I mean… I had thought it didn’t really exist. But in the back of my head, all these months, I’d been trying to suss out what it would look like if it did exist. So trust me, when it showed up on my doorstep? I knew it. I knew it like you would a lost child that had returned home long after anyone reasonable would’ve given up hope for the doorbell to ring.
The part that I was missing before? It was those great bosses. The visionary ones? The ones who can make things happen if you just say that you’ll work as hard as they do (and they do) and who don’t care who says it if it happens to be right or a good idea — and who know that CEOs can be brilliant, but so can janitors. The ones who make you want to give something your all because you know they are and there’s a joy that comes from the exhaustion of a good job.
Are You Swinging Yet?
Because I am. And as Director of Social Media for Collective Bias — a company that grew out of MARS Advertising — I plan on riding this train through many stations. I’m in the most amazing place in my life — one week into the dream job I had pretty much given up dreaming about. Because honestly? Before I went to work for myself and stopped wondering what a “dream job” looked like, it didn’t exist yet.
And honestly? I already know and love my boss. I’ve worked with John Andrews since last August. Granted, he was working with Walmart when our association first started and I was trying to decide if I wanted to be a part of what has become the Walmart ElevenMoms. But we’ve worked on a lot of projects together over that period of time and I’m really looking forward to working for & with him at Collective Bias. Along with a lot of other amazing folks who I know I’ll wax on about in depth as we go.
Side-slipping to a Minor Chord
But now that I’ve mentioned the ElevenMoms we have to introduce a sad note into this metaphorical jazz jam of mine. You see, there’s a price sometimes when it comes to following your dreams.
For the past 10 months, I have had the immense privilege and pleasure to be a part of the Walmart Elevenmoms. I can’t tell you how much this group of women has come to mean to me. If you had told me last year at this time that I would meet such a diverse, smart, savvy, incredible group of women and not only learn from them, but also make lifelong friends over what started out as “just a small foray into social media by Walmart”? I surely wouldn’t have believed you. But that is the case, I assure you.
I am very proud to be able to say that I have been a part of the Walmart Elevenmoms program. I consider it a huge honor just to say I’ve worked with the women who are, and with the people at Walmart & Rockfish Interactive who made it possible for me as well.
But you’ll have clearly noticed that I’m speaking in past-tense here.
After discussing it with Wanda Young at Walmart (whom I admire greatly), we’ve kind of both come to the conclusion that it’s probably for the best for me to leave the program at this time, as I take on the huge responsibilities and time commitment that go with working full-time at Collective Bias.
I appreciate so much her willingness to work through this with me to try and find the right solution. It’s hard to even contemplate leaving the program — as it feels somehow like I’m walking away right as the group is about to evolve again. And I have no doubt that what is going to happen will be amazing, given the women and people involved.
I count myself very fortunate to be granted this long to be in the company of such amazing folks! But sadly, it is time for me to move on and to make space for those who are to come.
Please make sure though, that you understand that the Walmart Elevenmoms have my continued support and I am 100% behind them in whatever they choose to do and to pursue. This parting is amicable all around and in fact, I will sorely miss being a part of such an incredible endeavor.
Time to Walk it on Home
So then, where are we? Well, I’m living my dream job as Director of Social Media for Collective Bias. I’m leaving my good friends the Walmart ElevenMoms to continue doing what they do so well, with my best wishes and firm support. I’m still blogging and twittering like I’ve always done… but I’ll also be blogging Social Media over at the Collective Bias site when it’s up and running.
What else do you need to know? Nothin’ but man… dig that Jazz!!
¹ Dictionary.com. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gig (accessed: June 22, 2009)
² That makes 2 things I owe the lovely & talented Ms. Agresta for!
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61 Responses to “My New Gig”
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Congratulations Lucretia!
This role sounds perfect for you and I have no doubt you will add a tremendous value to the Collective Bias team and their clients.
You’re a rock star (while I think jazz bands are cool and all) and I can’t wait to see what you make happen!
Bravo!
Congrats !!!! WTG and all that jazz !!!! ((((HUGGS))))
Congratulations! I’m sure we will see big things with you on board!
Lucretia – I’m so happy for you finding your dream job! Good luck and congrats! Can’t wait to see you at BlogHer to give you a hug in person!
Congratulations! Tell us about Collective Bias. What’s it about?
You know Lucretia… one of my favorite lines of all time – “We become what we imagine ourselves to be”… it’s your time to become exactly that. Your dream job. May success continue to be with you always. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you… you are an amazing woman. I am so very happy for you. Go be what it is you were meant to be in this world… and make it a better place!! xoxoxo Audrey
I LOVE the way you explained this…you have a lyrical poet’s heart, friend. So thrilled this “song” has all come together so beautifully.
Someone asked me what my dream job is just yesterday; I was unprepared for the question. The truth is, to find it, you first have to have an inkling what it is! Kudos to you for discovering yours.
I look forward to hearing much more…and to seeing you this fall!
CONGRATULATIONS again!
You know that I truly could not be more happy for you and what this opportunity will lead to for you and your family. I will miss your presence greatly in the 11 Moms, but I understand and respect the decision you have made to move into this new role.
I love you, girlfriend, and can’t wait to see what your new role will have in store for you!! ((Hugs))
I am so excited for you! This dream couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person… You inspire me to keep on dreaming! Apparently they do come true if you keep on going! Congratulations girl.. I’ll miss having you in the 11moms, but you will do great things with Collective Bias!
I consider it such an honor to call you a friend and to have worked with you in the 11moms group all these months. Your strength and grace is something that all women can look to and say, “her right there, she’s doing it”. I love seeing you continue to succeed and I can’t wait to see what is coming up next. Congrats babe!
Congratulations! Hoping your dreams will all come true!
Thanks you guys – I feel like the girl whose foot fit the glass slipper!
Congratulations! I think it’s awesome you’ve found your dream job. Your story has given me the encouragement that I need to start dreaming again. You know, someone asked me the other day what my dream vacation was? All I could think of was riding my Harley on the Blue Ridge Parkway — is it possible to have already lived your dream vacation and just want to do it again?
I wish you well!
I’m off to try and dream myself
It’s as if I just read a stack of postcards and travel journal notes from a good friend’s exotic vacation. *whew*
Thank you for including us on this journey to your dream job.
You just showed me a place on the globe that I didn’t know existed. And, amazingly, I think you just gave me the courage to start planning my trip there.
Enjoy your new gig. I look forward to the day that our paths cross.
Congratulations! It indeed sounds like a dream job. I’m a bit envious.. lol
Congratulations Lucretia! Can’t wait to check out Collective Bias once the site is up and running. So excited for you…
Hope to hang out again soon
Lucretia, congrats to you on joining John Andrews and his great team! You guys will have a blast.
Congratulations! I have a potential dream-job that’s dangling out there about a month away, so I understand your excitement!
Wow, congrats! You’ve worked really hard for this, and you totally deserve it.
Now, I just need to think about what MY dream job would be. I’m assuming “getting paid to sleep” isn’t a good answer…
Thanks so much for the shout out! I’m so happy for you!! I know you will continue to make amazing music in this new role.
Look forward to catching up soon.
Best,
Stephanie
Congratulations Lucretia! That sounds amazing!
Totally loving listening the tunes in your blog tonight, music that I love to hear. So happy for you, so proud of you, John is so lucky to have you to work with him! (and you are lucky to work with him too
Congratulations! I am so impressed and yet not at all surprised. What a wonderful opportunity and a beautifully written post. I wish you all the best in your new position!
Rock. On. Couldn’t be happier for you! Congratulations!
I’m so very excited for you! Finding your dream job is truly wonderful. Many of us are still molding ours and you’re a great inspiration to keep the dreams alive.
Enormous congratulations to you, my friend. I cannot think of anyone more deserving. You have earned it!
I’m with Amy, I’m not at all surprised by this turn of events – I am so happy for you and for Collective Bias! Congratulations to you! What a fabulously written post about this venture!
Lucretia, you are such an amazing woman, and I’m so happy that you found what your dream job is. I thought I knew what mine was, but thanks to this post and your encouragement, I think I’ll have to give it some more thought before someone pops the same question on me! You will be sorely missed from the 11Moms, but we all love you and know that you’re going to be doing great things for the world of social media and bloggers at Collective Bias. Thanks for sharing your song with us. It’s inspirational!
Congrats!!!!
I actually had thought the same thing about you – your insights are a ’scary-kind-of smart”, the ideas that other people had only begun to consider were concepts of which you already had a strong grasp, and when I was in a conversation with you, my mind became inspired to think in directions that I had never thought possible. You are definitely in your element. I’m so incredibly happy for you – congratulations!
Wow, congrats!! You will rock that job, I mean it.
Now I guess I owe you more than a cup of coffee…congrats how lucky you both are..so excited and look forward to all the wonderful and exciting things your going to create together…rock on..and can’t wait to see you in July
Beth
Lu!!!!! How incredibly awesome!!! I am so excited for you! You bring amazing talent to the team, so I know there’s no holding back on what y’all will be able to acomplish.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
You guys? You’re one of the big reasons this is such an amazing job… Because the caliber of people you meet along the way is so incredible – it’s like I imagine being a wine connoisseur in the world’s best wine vault would be! Heaven.
Wow, congratulations! Saw this link via a tweet stream i follow and voila — i’m reading the theme of my life at the moment
It’s inspiring to read about this and I’m really intrigued now. Would you mind telling me what the company / what you think would ‘qualify’ someone to work as a social media director or consultant. And what exactly are the tasks / functions involved? Got some ideas of my own, but would really appreciate some insights from someone who’s actually done it. I’m at that crossroads where the sign ‘dream job’ is pointing in all directions and nowhere, but social media (interactive media in general) is one of the roads that’s strongly calling me. Congrats again! 
CONGRATULATIONS! What an amazing opportunity and I know you will be the perfect person to head up this position for Collective Bias.
Looking forward to hearing where this takes you next and the journey along the way.
I’m over the moon for you!
Spiffy and congratulations!
p.s. — you may feel free to ignore my facebook plea.
Congratulations on your dream job
Congrats! your insight and ability to relate to others is going to take you far!
Congratulations! You can’t ask for better than your dream job
Congratulations! Live it!!! Love it!!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your awesome news, I’m happy you now have you dream job!
Congratulations!!! I am always thrilled to see when someone is able to find their ‘dream job’ – that’s got to be an amazing feeling. I am so very happy for you!!
Finally! Sweet N’ Low and sugar packets get to come out of their shell. Congrats. I am so happy for Collective Bias. I think I am more happy for them because they get the fabulousness that is YOU on a daily basis—bacon soon???
*This comment probably makes no sense to anyone other than Lucretia*
I can’t think of a more perfect position for you–how exciting. But did you have to take so long to built it up it in this post?
Nice work lady! I’m very proud of you and couldn’t imagine someone better for the position. Yippie!
Now, what’s up with bowling in July?
Wow…how exciting for you!!! Big Congratulations on your exciting new steps and know you have friends to support you all the way!!!
Rock on Lucretia!
Congratulations on doing the kind of soul searching it takes to know what your dream gig looks like – and then having it come knocking on your door! You were obviously meant for this and the smart folks at Collective Bias knew it – probably before you did!
I’m thrilled for you on many levels, happy for CB for their score…and inspired to do a little soul searching of my own soon. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I’m absolutely thrilled for you. It seems like yesterday – er – last year – that we had time to keep up with each other. And now look what you’ve gone and done
Sweetie, you’re flying now! YAY!
Hey, I’m a little behind here, but congratulations! I met John recently and I hope you two have a great time implementing stuff. Keep in touch!
Lucretia! I’m so happy for you. Please forgive the late reply but this happened in the midst of my cross-country move and I’m quite sure I’m only beginning to recover from the ordeal. So happy for you.
P.S. If you ever need ANYTHING, let me know!
Congratulations, this sounds very exciting. I’m a mom to a 3 yr old, and in a business start up. I look forward to learning from you.
Late to the party but congratulations, hon!!!! I was on an extended vaca. Anyway, so thrilled for you and Mars. Looking forward to watching Collective Bias thrive – w00t!
Every time a woman asks herself what she really wants, goes out and gets it and then posts about it, this kind of collective YIPPPEEE! is typed throughout the blogosphere. I love that. How appropriate. Congratulations to you. Go get ‘em.
that’s the closest I’ve seen a blog ACTUALLY follow a jazz tune. Killer… and now look at you. not only are you the Director of Social Media for Collective Bias but you’ve got their newest employee, um… me… the Creative Director, working for you. I’m on doghouse, layin’ down rhythm..
looking forward to changing the world a little with you. teach me and tell me what you need prettied up.
[...] time reader Lucretia Pruitt is now Director of Social Media for Collective Bias — a company that grew out of MARS Advertising, we’re all very excited for her. Find her on [...]
[...] time reader Lucretia Pruitt is now Director of Social Media for Collective Bias — a company that grew out of MARS Advertising, we’re all very excited for her. Find her on [...]
Congratulations, Lucretia! It does indeed sound like your dream job and I’m thrilled for you. (p.s. thanks for your comment love on the BlogFrog blog. It was a real treat to do the video interview with you). So glad we did it then because it sounds like you will be hard to catch up with soon!
Lucretia — Great to read your excitement and feelings about moving into your dream job with CB. Looking forward to working with you to bring some of these dreams to life!
Kerry
[...] in June, I wrote a post sharing my good news with anyone who would listen about my dream job and how it materialized when I least expected it to [...]