Patti Wilson Managing Principal, Career Company, Silicon Valley Masters in Career Development, BFA in Fine Art, Belgium Italian Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. —Miguel de Cervantes

• The Beginnings

Growing up, what were some of the things that shaped you into what you are today?

Emigrating from Canada to the USA, moving every 3 years and then going to school in Europe gave me a sense of cultural perspective and a desire to live multi-culturally. Studying art instilled in me an on-going appreciation of environmental aesthetics and the affect beauty can have on the soul. My father read a lot of books and gave me a love for books and ideas.

Did you have any setback and what kept you going?

Yes, I have survived cancer, twice. Love of family and a commitment to change and grow through adversity to become a better person kept me going.

• The Transition

What is the one thing you wish someone told you about a lot sooner in life?

I wish someone had told me when I was a little girl that I could be whatever I wanted to be in life. I grew up and found that out.

If given an opportunity, what would you have done differently?

Nothing. Had I done something differently I might not have met the wonderful people I know, fallen in love with the men that I have loved, had the career opportunities I have had, and all the joys, adventures and experiences to date.

• The Present

What are your hobbies? How do you relax? Are you able to manage work life balance?

I love my vocation because it is that for me, a calling. Being with friends and family grounds me. Seeing independent and foreign films, listening to world music, eating Pacific Rim cuisine are all passions. I am always ready to pack up and travel anywhere and take long walks on any beach. I don’t have balance. I never consider it as my life is not that structured. But I try to avoid lots of repetition or redundant work.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I strongly dislike being cold.

• The Future

What is next in your life?

Finally writing the career book(s) I have put off for the past 5 years. Developing the recruitment consulting part of my business as a vendor of the Predictive Index behavioral assessment. Taking that trip to India at last.

• Guidance

How should women pursue job searches and career moves?

With gusto! Too, often I see women afraid to go after what they really want. They use all kinds of rationalizations such as needing more experience, another degree, or having to fulfill the expectations, needs, demands of others. Women think in terms of communities. It is not an accident that the character of the Lone Ranger was played by a guy. So women need to do job searches and make career moves within the context of communities. They should have their own personal success team to help them during the passage. Networking and making connections works for women rather than making cold calls. A willingness to make money, be paid what you are worth and risk-taking would be for some women stretch goals. What criteria do you use to connect candidates to potential jobs? I help people figure that out for themselves. Better to teach someone to fish and prepare the meal for them. I work with them in identifying core values, top skills and talents, abiding interests and the life-style they need to sustain. Within those parameters, the perfect job will be found at the right company.