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A lot of us event workers have ‘A Type’ personalities: driven, competitive, fast movers. I do fit this description for sure, but I probably inherited it from my father as opposed to absorbing it through the industry. I’m an event junkie, I live for the action of live events: planning as much as you can but getting really pumped up solving issues as they arise. But in the down time of my uber traveling, no home, no regular anything in your life world, I really wanted to get back to some good work/life balance.
So in the past few years, I did change my ways a bit. I moved back to the US to be closer to family, bought a house and got a full-time job working as a TD in the corporate event world. Same principles, same brain usage, same kinds of fun people, different pace, shorter travel times, full health insurance. I have now been with my current company for nearly 3 years – which is a record for me. It is the longest ongoing job I have ever held. I do enjoy it, particularly the traveling parts and the people I work with.
But now, the antsy, competitive, ladder climber of me is fighting internally with the gardening, home decorating, pub quiz going regular who actually has an answer to what she does for fun on the weekends.
When is the right time to start looking for something new? Will my previous life leer me away from the stability that I longed for after so many years of not having it?
Is there some kind of happy medium? Or am I predetermined to never ever be fully satisfied?
It really is a conundrum for me, particularly at this juncture in my life. I don’t appear to be in agony over missing the uber traveling world. For the past 3 years, I really have loved my current role. But I can’t seem to work out what is missing.
I probably do best working for myself. I make the company strategy. I decide what hours I am willing to commit to. I take on what projects sound the most interesting. But there are definite downsides to that world. Health insurance in the US is incredibly expensive for the self-employed.
For now, I think I just need the right next move. I can’t tell you what that means. I keep a running Pros & Cons list. I keep in contact with pretty much everyone I can. I research all kinds of companies. I apply for things that sound like they could be interesting.
Keeping all options on the table might be what I do for the rest of my career.
The mortgage needs to be paid. But boredom must not overtake my work life. I don’t think I will ever know what I will be when I grow up. Or even if I want to grow up for that matter. I am constantly on the lookout for a new opportunity to challenge my brain, keep a social life and most importantly to have fun.
Other Articles by Sarah:
Reflecting On F&cking Up Bigger Sh*t Than This
The love for theatre and events started at a very young age for Sarah Grubb when she first experienced the stage by performing herself from age 6. By the time she went to university, she had discovered she preferred to be behind the scenes. She received a BFA in Technical Theatre Production (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Professional Theatre Training Program. She also spent a semester at Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 2000. She was bit by the Ceremonies Bug on Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games. She then travelled for roles on the 2006 Doha Asian Games Ceremonies, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Ceremonies, the 2011 Rugby World Cup Ceremony, the Ceremonies of the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games, & the Handover Segment for Rio at London 2012. During her years living out of her suitcase, she focused on technical & show operations. Following a role on the Baku 2015 European Games Ceremonies, Sarah returned to the US where she currently resides in the house she bought just outside of Philadelphia. She works as an Event Technical Director and Consultant. She loves unpacking those suitcases to display her years of mementos & swag.
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