my story

After graduating from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with an advertising degree, I immediately started working at a local newspaper in the advertising department.  After a few years working 8-5, I discovered I was incredibly bored with life.   It may be because my boss wasn’t a “wiz” at all that manager/mentor crap or perhaps wearing professional attire on a daily basis made me long for my sweatpants too deeply.  But, it’s probably because my life amounted to spending everyday of my life arguing with clients over the importance of online advertising.  It all felt incredibly meaningless. After deciding not to waste one more being bored, I quit.

I knew that my life needed purpose, and purpose for me comes from relationships.  The stars aligned and I immediately started working at California Sate University, Chico – notorious for the party scene.  I had a complicated title that probably won’t mean much to you, but in essence, I was a Resident Director – meaning I managed a freshmen residence hall.  To insure the residence halls don’t burn down into a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah fiasco, Resident Director apartments are literally in the residence hall.  That’s right – as a professional adult – I lived with college freshmen.

It. Was. Bananas.

What I experienced at Chico State lead me to become deeply interested in the “hookup culture” that is prevalent on today’s college campuses.  I received my Master’s Degree and wrote my thesis on cognitive dissonance and sexual regret.  I won an award.  I’m not bragging – just saying.  Ok, I’m bragging.

I don’t have many answers, but my experiences and research have led me to develop some opinions, and incidentally more questions.  This column explores the complexities of sexual identity development, particularly with young women.  I believe that our overall sense of self, and the balance of our multiple identities therein, help define what it means to be human. Despite our gifts and complexities, we’re all capable of some pretty inhumane things.  This phenomenon intrigues me, so I write about it.  You can write me too, and even disagree if you like.