Once upon a time, Stella enjoyed a successful career in corporate accounting. She liked her work and her company, and she appreciated the benefits they provided to her and her family. And she enjoyed her volunteer work as a Brownie leader.
Then one day, she heard a voice calling. It was the young woman she left behind when she chose her college major, the one who wanted to teach adults. Apparently her volunteer work rekindled a passion.
So Stella went back to school. She started with classes in psychology, and worked with an advisor to find her groove in instructional technology. She received her M.Ed. and she became a volunteer trainer for the Girl Scouts.
And then, Stella and her husband went to an improv show. Stella was really excited about the possibility of taking classes and her husband registered her for the first one. She offered him the chance to join her, which he did, and they each completed two levels of training, a total of 11 classes, over the next three years.
By the time Stella was done with the improv classes, she was also done with corporate accounting. She was firmly on a path that included completing training as a coach, certifying as an Instructor of Trainers, and more.
Although she has worked with local theaters, onstage and off, she never performed with an improv troupe beyond her classes.
Instead, she chose to focus on applied improvisation, helping people in business employ the skills the actors use on stage in their roles as leaders and teachers.
What Stella learned from all this is how how important it is to be true to yourself and to always rely on your core values.
And, as her favorite college professor shared from HIS college professor, always add strength to strength. It will keep you moving forward.