Vision – It’s a matter of perspective

Listening on the radio to graduates talking about their future vision, made me realise that it is
something, I didn't really ask myself when I was their age, nor did anyone else.
I remember once saying to the Administrator at the Bowen West Theatre, Bedford, where I
was studying, I'd like to do what you do and being surprised when her answer was: "You'll
never make any money". In my naive understanding at the time, 'making any money' while
working sounded amazing. At that point I was volunteering at the theatre in return for a ticket
to a show. I didn't have a strong idea of what I wanted to do, and have always felt that I said
yes to the opportunities that came along, when they seemed right. This tactic meant a year
long stint in a video games business – not an obvious choice directly following a Dance and
Drama degree, but nonetheless, it gave me valuable insights. Which on reflection, seem to
prepare me perfectly for my current situation.
Learning that an office, could mean working from my boss's converted garage in his garden,
the World Wide Web had just started to become more user friendly, the dial up process
became a bit faster, but it was all new to me. We were still copying diskettes, not burning CD
Roms. and there was very little for me to do (I was the Germany Sales Department, but the
Germans didn't trust Credit Card payments, yet, which made sales a rare disruption of my
'work'.) Out of boredom I learnt how to do 10 finger typing, I realised that I wanted to study
more and work in the arts, and that I really was not interested in gaming. At all.
Today, sat in my Garden Room office, typing away with at least 7 fingers, directly onto 'the
net', the world constantly, silently online, and feeling content, and I can't remember the last
time I was bored. Looking back at my career in the arts, as producer and coach, not having a
clear personal vision, doesn't seem to have mattered all that much.
I wonder whether that was a luxury of the times, the mid 1990's, where there were grants to
support students to pursue vocational studies, which the graduates of the early 21st Century
will not ever have. At the time of writing, Covid-19 pandemic is making its mark on the
worlds' development. It does feel like the Age of Innocence ended in January 2020. I feel for
those graduates, who not only start off with mountains of debts, but also have to be more
strategic about the first steps of their careers.