If you told me 10 years ago that I would be working in a dental office, I would have never believed you. I never once remember even considering it. To be honest, I barely remember going to the dentist as a kid - that's how impressed I was with the whole thing. So, in 1999, I graduated from high school and off to college I went as a communications major. (I really wanted to get into broadcasting, perhaps radio or be a weather girl!) My first semester, I took my first speech class. And I HATED it! I cannot for the life of me even start to imagine that getting up in front of a room of people to give a speech could be fun. Or even remotely easy. I can't do it. So...there went my major. Now what?? I considered business (boring-no offense all you business minded people) teaching was out (that whole being in front of a room thing) and then, Hospitality Management. Sounds fun!
A sidenote - When I was a kid, I remember going on family vacations and "designing" my very own hotel. I laid out a floor plan and everything. Each room was going to have a theme. Whether it be a Red Room, Blue, Western Room, 50's, 60's and so on. People would have to keep coming back just to stay in the other various rooms. Doesn't that sound so cool??!??!! (I haven't completely given up on it - if I ever come into an extraordinary amount of money, this is my dream)
So, anyway. Hospitality Management was my new major. Then I realized I would have to work nights and weekends and probably crazy hours for most of my life. That did not sound fun. Now what was I going to do?? By this time, I had decided to transfer schools. What better for an undecided transfer student than the school that has everything... The Ohio State University.
I lived on South Campus and had to take what's called a survey class for undecided transfer students. (Real winners in that bunch.) ;) We had to take all kinds of personality tests to help determine what career or at least major most suited us. One night, I seriously sat down with a list of every major offered at Ohio State. I crossed nearly every single one off for one reason or another. While all of this was going on, I also had to walk past the Dental building nearly every day (good old Postle Hall.) It might be the ugliest, most boring building on campus. But, it made me think. And, I had not crossed Dental Hygiene off my list. Hmmmm.....
Once I started really looking into it, there wasn't anything I didn't like. Even the thought of sticking my hands in people's mouths never really bothered me. So, here I am. Now, just to be straight here, I don't love everything about it. Some mouths are just plain gross. I did actually have to ask a grown man once if he brushed his teeth....ever. He said no. I also can't stand teeth extractions and actually had to leave my oral surgery rotation in school so that I didn't pass out in front of everyone. I think most of it is a "mind over matter" issue, which I seem to do pretty well with. What I love most about my job is the number of people I get to meet and talk to every day. Overall, I do love people. (just as long as I don't have to give any speeches in front of them) Oh - and the hours. Full-time benefits at 28 hours a week. I don't complain much.
So, that's my story on how I found my career. Any questions??
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