With my commerce degree clutched in my hand, I headed off to Queen’s to do my MBA, which I did in one year (couldn’t have faced 2 more years of education) by persuading them my undergraduate degree was so good I didn’t need to redo courses. Met my husband to be there – John. After we graduated and married we headed west to Calgary where we spent the next 30+ years. I started in marketing and advertising- surprise- at Alberta Wheat Pool. Picture me talking to farmers (very smart people) about fertilizer, Round Up and crop rotation. After a few years there where I migrated to strategic planning, I headed to U of C Faculty of Management to teach. Yes Professor Cowley, I ignored your advice to never become a teacher (I managed to be a darn good one too apparently). I learned as long as you know more than your audience (or they think you do) you can speak in front of any group. I taught there in the marketing department for a bunch of years and loved it until I started hearing ‘will this be on the exam’ too often. Then back to the corporate world at the mention of tenure. I worked at AGT/TELUS in business development and as head of marketing in a couple of their subs. Somehow I migrated into the world of the internet and systems development. At that point I suffered severe burn-out from travel and juggling too many projects and ended up leaving.
After a break, and thinking I was too young to retire, I joined CORUS Entertainment in their Calgary office, in marketing/ business development. I ended up once more in system development just to get a customer database. It kind of grew into designing and implementing a sales management and a creative production system. I also provided process management seminars and guidance to various departments. After which I finally crashed and did have to retire. Health issues in the form of major depression and fibromyalgia.
We had purchased a place in the Kootenays for our retirement so I retired to there leaving John still working in Calgary (it was a bit cruel I know). And there I found a new life. I finished a photography program I had started while working and became a semi-professional wild life photographer. I have had over a decade of shooting (with my camera) Osprey raising their young, grizzly bears grazing on salmon and some of the most beautiful scenery, including tracking a forest fire for Forestry department. I also took up quilting (way too domestic but fun) and now do art quilts. I published several photography books and was fortunate to have some shows. But remember, it’s not Calgary. John moved out a few years ago after retiring and was just a little appalled at how up close and personal I got to my bears (tried not to disturb them). We have moved on from Kootenay Lake but are still in the south eastern part of BC, living in a small village and loving it.
No kids but a number of cats have kept us company over the years.
Our plans for the future are to continue our hobbies – kayaking, cycling, photography etc as long as we can. And hopefully the world will unfold peacefully.
Sorry I won’t be at the reunion but have no interest in flying and the drive is more than I want to make.
Take care everyone and have a great time.
Check out Catherine’s website – Lardeau Valley Time