Standing at the Edge of a New Beginning

Walking across the stage in the auditorium made Calhoun Mane cry uncontrollably. The crowd clapped for the 2003 graduates of the Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology. Family, friends, and faculty cheered in appreciation as students received their associate degrees in specialized fields. The two years leading up to this moment had gone far too fast for Calhoun. He felt it had just been a week since he had earned his General Educational Diploma. He flipped his tassel to the left upon request.

Now, Calhoun planned to pursue a career outside construction-based trades. Life in an office building would be a reward for all the nights he had spent without sleep while studying. He sensed the beginning of a role that would fulfill his ambition as an artist. He believed his talents would help him conquer the creative world of advertising. Boy, he was wrong, even though he had landed a graphic design position with the national phone book company.

The transition brought many lessons when his rough-around-the-edges personality revealed the need for refinement. Calhoun had spent a decade around construction workers who spoke foully. Every other word that came out of his mouth had a society-edited version of special characters to prevent complaints to upper management. Cussing was a hard habit to break. Calhoun never knew how he sounded until intellectualism and slang waged war over his articulation.

Calhoun’s work experiences had proved harmful. He saw gruesome accidents injure workers from head to toe. After his own workplace accidents left him overly cautious, he knew that when his girlfriend, Kameron, suggested pursuing education as a new beginning, life would head in a better direction. Now he faced a brand-new type of employee dynamic. Egos clashed daily for competition’s sake, and he cowered when addressed about his natural talents.

Calhoun found that being as sharp as a tack encouraged his peers to undermine his confidence. He recognized that many of his peers had greater success awaiting them. Eventually, books on emotional intelligence would raise his capacity to cope. The efforts he offered were part of a sincere relationship-building tactic, and for those who created uncomfortable office environments, Calhoun treated them with respect.

It wasn’t personal attacks that kept Calhoun from advancement; he required a better understanding of his competitive edge.

Share

Leave a comment