It Wasn’t a Straight Line—And That’s Okay

If someone asked me to sum up my career path, I’d probably say, “It’s complicated… but beautiful.” My journey hasn’t followed a straight line. It hasn’t looked like a polished resume or a well-edited LinkedIn page. But it has shaped me in ways I never expected—and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I’ve worn many hats: actor, HR manager, waitress, volunteer, single mom, and more. Some titles I chose, some chose me. Every role—on and off stage—has added depth, strength, and purpose to my life. And if you’re someone who feels like your story is too “all over the place,” let me be the first to say: there’s nothing wrong with a nonlinear path.

Early Dreams and Acting School

Growing up, I was always drawn to performance. I loved telling stories, stepping into different characters, and connecting with people through emotion. That passion led me to study acting seriously in Chicago. I trained at Act One Studios and Acting Studio Chicago for several years, committed to learning the craft.

I booked a few projects. Things were building. But then, life had other plans.

Enter: Motherhood and Real-Life Priorities

When I became a mother—especially as a single mom—I knew I had to shift gears. I stepped back from acting not because I lost the passion, but because I had to focus on raising my children and keeping our lives stable. That meant finding reliable work. That meant survival.

So I turned to something I had a natural ability for: HR.

I ended up working as an HR Manager for several years. It was a role that allowed me to use my people skills, my empathy, and my organization—all things I had developed in acting but could now apply in a completely different environment.

I learned to lead. I learned to mediate conflict. I learned how to help people find their voice in the workplace. And in the background, that little creative flame in me kept flickering.

The Service Years: Volunteering Became My Stage

During that time, I also began deeply investing in community work. I volunteered for the Salvation Army, FISH Food Pantry, and started a project called Operation Santa—which provides Christmas gifts for hundreds of children each year.

What I didn’t expect was how much that work would feed my soul.

Serving others gave me confidence, presence, and emotional insight that would later make me a stronger actor. It reminded me of the power of real, unscripted human connection. It also helped me stay grounded in my faith and purpose, especially during times when I wasn’t sure what came next.

Reigniting the Dream

After my kids grew up and became more independent, something in me said, “It’s your time again.” I felt this deep pull to return to acting—not as someone trying to “make it,” but as someone who had lived enough life to bring real depth to the worry k.

After talking it over with my husband, who fully supports me, and a lot of prayer, I took a leap of faith and went for it. I updated my headshots, enrolled once again in Acting Studio Chicago to learn this whole new world of self-tapes and eventually threw myself back into the hustle. It was intimidating at first. I faced rejection after rejection. But with every “no,” I remembered what I had already overcome. My childhood  taught me resilience. Volunteering had taught me presence. And motherhood? It had taught me everything about authenticity.

Eventually, the bookings started coming. A commercial here, a print job there. And while they weren’t huge roles, they felt huge to me. Because I was doing what I loved, and doing it with purpose.

The Power of Experience

Every single part of my journey has shaped the kind of performer I am today. Acting school gave me the technical skills. HR gave me leadership, empathy, and conflict resolution. Volunteering gave me emotional intelligence and confidence.  And motherhood gave me a whole new layer of vulnerability and strength.

When I go into an audition now, I don’t have to “pretend” to understand the role—I feel it. Because I’ve lived through heartbreak, joy, fear, and hope. I’ve faced real challenges, and I bring all of that with me into every scene. 

Embracing the Messy Middle

People often feel like they have to “figure it all out” by a certain age. That if you don’t have a clean career story, you’re doing it wrong. But the truth is, the “messy middle” is where you learn the most. At the end of the day, I know nothing is impossible with God. 

I’ve gone from scripts to spreadsheets to soup kitchens—and back again. Each chapter prepared me for the next, even when it didn’t make sense at the time.

And the best part? I’m still going. I’m still learning. Still creating. Still showing up.

Your Path Is Valid

If you’re reading this and feeling behind or confused about your journey, let me encourage you: your path is valid, no matter how winding it’s been.

Every job, every role, every season of life is a thread in the bigger story of you. And that story is beautiful, because it’s yours.

You don’t have to choose between your passions and your responsibilities. You just have to be willing to return to your dreams when the time is right—and bring all of who you are with you.

Because sometimes the richest, most fulfilling careers are the ones that took the longest route home.