So… What have you been up to?
By Ryan McCrary

KALAMA, Wash. – We’ve all been there. Trapped with no escape immediately presenting itself. The well meaning (?) family friend or occasionally seen acquaintance leans in and asks: “So… what have you been up to?”

With the world finally beginning to return to something normal – or at least as normal as 2019 was – I’m hearing this question more and more.

I used to dread this question and its immediate follow-ups:

1. So… are you married? (No)
2. So… why aren’t you married? (I’ve been lucky so far?)
3. How many kids do you have? (None)
4. Why don’t you have kids? (I’ve been lucky so far?)
5. Do you have life insurance? (Which answer will get me out of this conversation the quickest?)

To be clear, I still dread these questions, but after learning more about the art of personal branding, I have definitely prepared and improved my response to the “So what are you doing… “ question.

If you don’t have an answer for someone your dad used to play golf with, you are probably not going to be able to answer it when someone who can help you in your professional life and career asks either.

Here’s my current elevator pitch:
I’ve spent the last 20 years working in P.R. and communications telling the story of some of the nation’s top universities and their athletic programs. I believe in the transformational power of education and athletics. During the last three months I have gone back to school to prepare myself for the next chapter in my career. I can’t wait to get started. 

Just like everything, this personal pitch is a work in progress. The constant element: I am looking forward to the next chapter! For those looking for specific details on what I’ve been up to I’ve added my 2022 CV below!

QUOTABLE: “I dream of a day where I walk down the street and hear people talk about morality, sustainability and philosophy instead of the Kardashians.”  – Keanu Reeves