Shasta District Fair time calls for the wearing of many different hats

Call it survival, call it variety, I believe wearing more than one hat on the job or at multiple jobs can be a real plus. I have found a way to utilize a variety of skills I've been grooming through the years.

And, you're never too old to learn a few new tricks.

I try to encourage my grandsons to be diverse, find several things they enjoy and find tune the ability to shift gears - you never know; it could lead to upper level management status some day.

I wanted a career in art when I was in high school so each year I made sure I had an curriculum elective art class. Then I went on to college to take a few more advanced art classes.

However, as it turned out I was derailed from the commercial art track, where I had thoughts of employment with Hallmark or some other big name company. But, the day I picked up a camera to capture the scene and a pen to document it in plain everyday language, my paint brush stayed in that wooden art box and the canvas, well it hasn't seen daylight for decades. As a rookie photo engraver, back in the dark ages of newspapers, my first real job was securing photographs on a cylinder-shaped device that etched dots into plastic sheets wrapped around another cylinder. The plastic "plates" were smeared with ink on the big presses allowing them to transfer the photo onto newsprint.

I soon found out my hobbyist camera would become a real workhorse that led to three different jobs during the last 45 years. Most of the time, I've enjoyed these jobs as if they were a hobby.

A few part-time jobs filled employment gaps a time or two.

I did a stint in sales working in a camera store, ran a hardware store department and leaned about tools. One thing led to another and my skills and knowledge expanded, shaping me into what I am today, photographer, graphic artist, fundraising, sales, public information writer and basically "Jill of all Trades."

A person picks up a lot of knowledge if they are paying attention to what is going on around them. I have always been an outdoor enthusiast, interested in animals and sports activities, so when it all comes together it is a blending of many aspects of life.

Believe me I have had to draw from my past more than once seeking information for an application needed for a specific challenge.

Make lots of friends through life, you never know when they or you might be needed when something important comes along. Friends can blend in everything we do and become a vital part of our lives as long as we don't abuse or overuse them.

Last week I went on vacation from my regular job as a developer of fundraising and marketing concepts to work at the Shasta District Fair as its photographer. It was a nice change of pace that had a little of everything, creativity, deadlines, computer skills, balance. Balance, you say. Well, this job meant I had to get around the fairgrounds on a two-wheel electric scooter. It was my legs and boy was it necessary. Our fairgrounds are a big place to pack a bag full of camera equipment from one activity to another.

But, like most all of the jobs I've had, variety was there from day one to the end of the fair.

Now that I'm back in the saddle at the regular job, the interesting challenges waited for my return. I use my camera, my writing skills and my love of animals while creating activities and planning upcoming events.

I'm still meeting interesting people along the way, people who I would not likely have come across in another type of employment. Public information covers a wide range of media and audiences. I've enjoyed meeting the local media celebs and working with them on projects throughout each year.

I've overcome my fear of standing in front of the camera, rather than always being behind it calling the shots. I've over come my fear of microphones, something that I actually enjoy from time to time.

My suggestion to those preparing to enter the great work force is to find your comfort zone. But, dare to take the challenge, and, don't be afraid to wear a different hat or two when duty calls. If you are like me, you'll enjoy doing changeups to keep things interesting.