My career at 3M began over 40 years ago. Looking back I'm in awe of how much my life changed. I had just completed my first year as a chemistry graduate student at the U of Minnesota and was acutely aware of the fact that I was not interested in continuing to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. That year in graduate school was really good for my personal growth and it was definitely not something I regret. However at the time, the experience was not contributing to a sense of confidence, but rather one of desperation. I needed a job! I had enjoyed my college years, but in all honesty, I still had no real idea of what a job in chemistry looked like.
Life on a small dairy farm was a great way to grow up, but I knew with my hips and my personality, there was no way that I would succeed in that life. My college education did a good job of teaching me skills but was lacking in teaching me about career options outside of academics. I majored in chemistry because it was interesting, not because I had a clue of what it meant as a career. I grew up with very little exposure to job opportunities beyond farmers, teachers, secretaries, doctors, and nurses. I think that was true for a lot of people in rural America in the 1970s. We know about jobs to which we're exposed and tend to set our career sites on those. I honestly believe that's a major reason many first-generation college students pursue jobs as teachers. It's a job they can envision. As a career path, it's also one that is easy for professors to steer students toward, because it's the one they know.
I say all that because it ties back to the conclusion that a chemistry Ph.D. wasn't for me. I knew I didn't want to teach, so I needed a job in chemistry and had no real idea what that would entail. I had led a very sheltered life. Travel and family vacations weren't something I had ever experienced. As I was looking for a job, I had an interview trip to Kalamazoo, MI. I was interviewing at 3M in St. Paul, MN at the time and wanted to work there, but I had never been on a plane. At that point in my life, I had rarely been more than 150 miles from where I grew up. So I went on the interview trip to have my first airplane experience. On that first-ever trip, I had to change planes at O'Hare in Chicago by myself! I knew I was in way over my head. In hindsight, I see that God was pushing me to expand my horizons even though it frequently terrified me.
Luckily I got the offer from 3M. I was excited and clueless and scared to death. The 3M campus in St. Paul had about twice as many employees as my college had students. It is the size of a big college campus. I had no real idea what my job would demand and what I would be expected to just know. My big fear back then was that they would find out I was clueless.
Fast forward to today. Working at 3M was one of the great gifts God put in my life. Throughout my career, I encountered so many people who helped, befriended, and shaped my life. I grew technically. I got to learn about many different industries and businesses. I got to travel. I found myself, my strengths, and my confidence. Every step of the way, God was guiding my path. Sometimes I was aware of that and sometimes it was not at all obvious until I looked back.
I have since been able to experience and enjoy early retirement. That, too, has been a gift. I truly enjoyed my years at 3M and all the people and experiences. The opportunity to retire early was one of the many benefits for which I am grateful. Mike and I have had the opportunity to travel the country with time to explore many areas. After spending my first 20+ years within 150 miles of home, I’ve now been in all but 5 states. We get to spend our winters in Florida with new friends, away from the cold and slippery weather that I found challenging. We get to spend our summers in the beauty of northern Wisconsin with family and friends.
Forty years have passed in a flash. It's good to look back and appreciate all the opportunities and experiences that grew from that scary, intimidating, exciting start. I'm grateful to God and all the amazing people He put in my path along the journey.
As graduation season approaches, I think about being in that time of life. It’s exciting and scary. Some people have their future well thought out and planned. Some others may feel some of the trepidation I did. I would encourage those with that trepidation to acknowledge it and chase their interests, even if you don’t have a clear view of how that unfolds. There are opportunities of which you are totally unaware in every field. Dig in. Ask your family, friends, and acquaintances for any insight or connections they know. I found out there are a lot of good people who want to help. Let them. Let God guide you. His path and plan are so much bigger and better than ours.
Meet Linda
I am living the dream and I know it. I’m a Florida retiree who grew up in Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, and spent my working years in Minnesota. Early retirement allowed my husband, Mike, and me to retire to Florida and still spend the summer months back in Wisconsin and traveling. I know that I am as young, healthy, and able as I will ever be. With that in mind, if there are things I want to do, say or share in life, I know that if I don’t do them now, I will be even less likely to do them later. I enjoy putting my thoughts in writing. Writing things down often helps me sort through what’s going through my brain. I have occasionally shared those thoughts with others. Fred encouraged me to share some of them here. God has blessed my life in ways that are beyond anything I knew to ask for. These are some of the experiences that shape my life and my perspective.
