Springboard #10
How did you get where you are today professionally? Did you always want to do the job you do now? Did you just fall into it? Do you have dreams of promotion? Another profession? Talk about it!
Between the three of us, it was pretty much expected that at least one of us would follow in our father’s footsteps and join the force. My sister is busy in New Jersey raising a family and my younger brother can be found following the surf bum’s dream, whatever that might be, somewhere along the South American coastline. That just leaves me.
I almost didn’t, though. I’ve always been studious and worked hard. From my grandmother’s weekly book report during my summer vacations, to joining the wrestling team in high school, I’ve always strived to not only better myself, but to be the best at what I chose to do. It doesn’t come easy for me; I have to work hard for everything I achieve. I’m not like some people who can just sashay into the station, or gym or classroom, and just do whatever they’ve decided they’d quite like to play at today and be instantly fantastic at it. And there’s always one, someone who’s better than you but still has time to go out and party on a weeknight.
There’s a breaking point, and I hit it in college. Why was I bothering? Neither of my siblings were, and nothing was ever good enough to please my mother anyway. I was missing out and I was breaking my back for something I could no longer see the point of.
I went a little wild in college. The actress girlfriend may have had something to do with it. She had a nose ring and a taste for thrill seeking. Slacking off became breaking rules became minor misdemeanours…
My path could have gone a completely different way, but I had an intervention. Chief John Fenich was a family friend; he offered me an option and led me to the Academy. He set me back on the straight and narrow. He has been my friend and mentor for the whole of my career so far. He was there when I graduated from the Academy, when I made Detective, and when I got my gold shield. I’ll continue to strive to be the best, not just for myself, but to show him that he didn’t waste his time sticking his neck out for someone who’d lost their direction.
Between the three of us, it was pretty much expected that at least one of us would follow in our father’s footsteps and join the force. My sister is busy in New Jersey raising a family and my younger brother can be found following the surf bum’s dream, whatever that might be, somewhere along the South American coastline. That just leaves me.
I almost didn’t, though. I’ve always been studious and worked hard. From my grandmother’s weekly book report during my summer vacations, to joining the wrestling team in high school, I’ve always strived to not only better myself, but to be the best at what I chose to do. It doesn’t come easy for me; I have to work hard for everything I achieve. I’m not like some people who can just sashay into the station, or gym or classroom, and just do whatever they’ve decided they’d quite like to play at today and be instantly fantastic at it. And there’s always one, someone who’s better than you but still has time to go out and party on a weeknight.
There’s a breaking point, and I hit it in college. Why was I bothering? Neither of my siblings were, and nothing was ever good enough to please my mother anyway. I was missing out and I was breaking my back for something I could no longer see the point of.
I went a little wild in college. The actress girlfriend may have had something to do with it. She had a nose ring and a taste for thrill seeking. Slacking off became breaking rules became minor misdemeanours…
My path could have gone a completely different way, but I had an intervention. Chief John Fenich was a family friend; he offered me an option and led me to the Academy. He set me back on the straight and narrow. He has been my friend and mentor for the whole of my career so far. He was there when I graduated from the Academy, when I made Detective, and when I got my gold shield. I’ll continue to strive to be the best, not just for myself, but to show him that he didn’t waste his time sticking his neck out for someone who’d lost their direction.