Holly Grande: Short and Sweet

I've always liked the term, "Jack of all trades." I know now it generally refers to someone who dabbles in a bit of everything, and the second half of the phrase is, "Master of nothing."

Growing up without knowing that second part, I considered my dad a bit of a Jack of all trades. In my 10-year-old mind, this jack guy was something like a superhero, and it was only appropriate that I considered my dad a superhero. You see, while my Mom was the one who raised my sister and I, my dad was this amazing good-at-everything figure. At the time he worked long hours as a computers and technology consultant, one of the best in his field, but when he came home, my dad could be any number of persons. He was Doctor Dad when Ash and I skinned our knees as kids, but he was (and is) also a carpenter and a craftsman and a foosball champion. My dad knows things--ask him anything and he will know the answer or he will know who to ask.

With all that in mind, I don't think being like this Jack is necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I would like to consider myself a Jane of all trades. In public relations, it's important to not only to know communications theory, but also the basics of any field I may come across, from graphic design to sports to catering. I don't think Jacks and Janes dabble--I think they learn and exercise their knowledge.

A Jack of all trades may not be able to perform spinal surgery, but he'll know who to call, and he'll get that surgeon on a plan ASAP.

As a side note, my dad totally rocks, and as far as I am concerned, he is Indiana Jones.

Posted by Holly at 11:18 PM  

Labels: communication