I just spent the weekend at my college alumni reunion in the bucolic Berkshires, where, for the past three days, I was affectionately called “Dr. Bob” by my former classmates and professors. The moniker was conferred on me by my peers during my freshman year, when I was a pre-med student. I was so certain that I wanted to be a physician that I even became a volunteer EMT at the time—with a stethoscope wrapped around my neck and armed with all of the other requisite medical accoutrement. By the end of my sophomore year I had discovered the social sciences, and, subsequently, the direction of my career interests took a drastic turn, but my nickname endured.
While it’s always been common to change course in college, in today’s economy it’s now customary to change course well into your professional life. People have gone from changing jobs several times in their career to changing entire careers several times before retirement. In our cover story this issue, we spoke to several county professionals who made career 180s (page 34)—what motivated them to make the change, how they did it, and lessons learned.
For those of you who become inspired to push yourself out of your comfort zone and embark on your own career change (or at least a promotion in your existing career) we spotlight some of the county’s best continuing-ed programs at the colleges and universities in our collective backyard (page 42).
Speaking of job changes, this month marks my first month as our magazine’s editorial director. Having created and developed 914INC. for the company in 2010, I’ve been its executive editor for every issue to date. In my new role I’m now overseeing all of our company’s New York publications, which means I can no longer devote as much day-to-day attention to 914INC. as it needs and deserves. Hence, I’m handing over the reins to Amy R. Partridge, who is now the magazine’s executive editor.
Amy first became involved with 914INC. three years ago, when she began freelancing for us. As the former managing editor of a business lifestyle magazine in Arizona, Amy “got” 914INC. from the start, and it showed in her writing and reporting. This past year we were lucky enough to have her join the team as a features editor for Westchester Magazine.
I’d also like to give a shout-out to two other key editorial staffers at 914INC. Philip Garrity and Scott Simone have joined Katie O’Donnell as 914INC.’s associate editors. Philip and Scott were my two first 914INC. interns in the summer of 2010, in the run-up to the launch of our premiere issue that fall. Both went on to freelance for the magazine when they returned to college, and in the past couple years they’ve both joined the Westchester Magazine team. Having been with the magazine literally since day zero, both Philip and Scott also get what 914INC. is all about.
I’m very proud of the work Amy, Katie, Philip, Scott, Creative Director Halina Sabath, Senior Editor John Turiano, the rest of our team, and our stable of freelancers have done and the service we’ve collectively provided to Westchester’s dynamic business community during the past four years. We look forward to continuing to serve that community in our new roles—and to bringing you some new departments and sections in 2015.
