Career Roadmap
J.A.'s work combines: Writing, Education, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
United States Air Force Academy
Graduate Degree
Creative Writing
Augsburg College
Graduate Degree
English Language and Literature, General
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Poets, Lyricists & Creative Writers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: English Language and Literature, General
Graduate Degree: Creative Writing
Graduate Degree: English Language and Literature, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I was awarded a scholarship to attend the Air Force Academy.
2.
I served in the Air Force either on active duty or in the reserves for a combined 22 years.
3.
Over that time, I flew C-130s on over 100 combat sorties.
4.
I was selected to teach English at the Air Force Academy.
5.
After leaving the military, I decided to go back to school to get my MA and MFA in creative writing.
6.
I started writing and editing for War, Literature & the Art, and joined the Warrior Writers program.
7.
I also fly for Delta Airlines.
8.
I recently wrote a play about the realities of conflict—I'm performing it in Minneapolis this fall.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You can't be a writer.
How I responded:
I had a friend who was himself a failed writer and told me that I'd never be a writer either. I also had an Air Force officer tell me that I was making a mistake by choosing to go teach English at the Air Force Academy. I got through it by recognizing that these two people lacked imagination, and I decided that I would never let anyone else's lack of imagination impact mine.