About Me

So what do you want to know about me? Where I work, what color my hair really is, or if I get along with my in-laws? You'll find more references to my career and hobbies - web 2.0 sites and blogging, than you will personal information. I just can't seem to open up in an intimately personal way online. What you'll find here is a little bit about me personally and a little more about my work life.

I grew up in New Jersey - yes, really, New Jersey. And no, I don't have an accent. I went to college at the University of Maine, majored in Business Administration with minors in MIS and Marketing. After graduating (and swearing I would never go back), I landed back in New Jersey and worked for a small independent publishing company. I learned a lot and traveled the entire country, learning along the way that I hate chain restaurants and despite what we're taught while growing up, it's still different for a woman in business than a man.

Although they gave me a great opportunity, I realized quickly there wasn't much room for growth at the company. I slowly put myself out there and found two promising offers; one in the Wall Street district in NYC and the other in Minnesota. If you know "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, you'll understand the feeling I had when making the choice. But I already knew where the Manhattan Road went. I had been in the Tri-State area for enough of my life and it was time to move on.

So in April 2003 I packed up my life and whatever I could fit into my 2 cars, drove out to Minnesota with my mom and best friend from high school. I knew two people, but since I had been in Delta Delta Delta in college, I did have a group of potential contacts to reach out to. Those women I met in the first summer are still my very good friends and without them, I wouldn't have met my husband and had my son (who is now 2).

At my new company, I started in a position similar to the one I had left. This was a larger company, with more room for growth. Soon I was promoted to the newly created International Sales Manager position. I love travel and new cultures, so this was a perfect fit. I was going gangbusters and really enjoying the challenge. My bosses gave me a great review a year later, I was due to have my first baby and life was grand.

Then I went on maternity leave and realized it's one thing to plan, but another to have life smack you upside the head with the reality of a situation. What a tough choice suddenly - baby or work, or both? I also learned that moms ARE treated differently. Yes, I knew all the men are rolling their eyes at this. No offense guys and I am not a "femi-nazi", but I just don't think anyone -singles, non-mom women, and men, can ever understand what its really like.

I decided some time off would be best for me to figure out what I was really looking for and what I wanted my life to be about. I was financially able to enjoy my son, so I figured I could try this "stay-at-home-mom" (SAHM) thing. But, turns out, I am missing the crucial mom gene. Being home 100% of the time isn't my cup of tea.

I love my son, don't get me wrong. But I enjoy working outside of my home and being productive to something a little larger. Plus, when all your conversation with your husband revolves around what color poop your son had that day, you need to get out more.

I searched for a job reasonably close to home with the promise of flexible and work-from-home hours. I certainly didn't take the first thing that came along, but mm, boy did their promises not hold up. Turns out the guys I interviewed were very lax and ok with my suggestions - and they were great to work with. But stupidly, I did not get these things written into my employment contract or clearly defined before starting. Then I found out the owner doesn't like people to be out of the office EVER. That it is a huge deal to even travel and meet business partners - ANYWHERE, including the next state over.

I worked there, met some great people, and got into the world of online media - ah ha! The work environment wasn't really for me, but the industry certainly was. This company is the reason I have my blog today. I enjoy programming, but also like interacting with people - which I believe is a main reason I love blogging so much.

To contact me directly or learn more about Search Engine and Blog consulting services, contact me at petersenk1@gmail.com.




My blog is worth $53,631.30.
How much is your blog worth?

Comments

Dr. Bill Emener said…
Hi Kat,
Thanks for sharing such a significant part of your journey... and aren't you glad you too the road less taken! (Years ago I did likewise, and some of my old buddies in central Jersey are still working at the same jobs, living in the same houses, drinking beer at the same bars and telling everyone how life sucks.)
I am happy for and with you -- you not only have balance in your life, you have the balance you want in your life (and, importantly, you didn't sit back and wait for it to come to you... you facilitated its happening and now you're nurturing it).
Carpe diem,
Bill

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