Jo-Anne agreed with Linda "Coach" Smith and added: that we need to know what
our skill set is and be the best in doing THAT job well...

I would like to add that if you "stick with the program" (Lactation) you may
find that at different times in your life you are good at, and are able to
do much more than you ever imagined!  This career has been FANTASTIC for me
and I hope it will also be for you.  In the last 35+ years I've been:
- a mom of 3 VERY BUSY, active children - while being a La Leche League
Leader and learning to coordinate Spanish translations which led me to...
- Learning how to run a computer, keep records which led me to...
- Becoming and IBCLC which led me to...
- Becoming a nurse whose passion is Public Health which led me to
- Running a breastfeeding clinic in Puerto Rico which led me to
- Working with the Public Health Departments of my county and now my state!

Keep your options open, don't think "this is 'all' I can do" rather think -
is this something I WANT to do and am GOOD at it (or can learn to be good
at, like my new-found skill of developing a website for the model hospital
policies).

Many years ago I told my kids - don't worry if you don't know what you want
to do when you get out of college - go to a big college - put your toe in as
many waters as you can...and you'll be amazed at what you find!  

I now say the same to you!  It's a BIG world out there (Lactation) and we
need ALL of you - from one-on-one help to those who can lead organizations
such as ILCA, VELB, IBLCE to those who can collaborate with all the
different professions and people that affect the lives of mothers and
babies!  

As a challenge to you I suggest that you all make a New Years' Resolution:
spend time with someone you have not met that impacts your moms or your job
- you will find you have a lot more in common than you thought!

...And I'm taking up this also - next year I WILL make an appointment to
meet with 3 different pediatricians (remember the outcome needs to be
do-able and measurable) that see the low-income moms in our county and bring
to them some of the materials we use, ask them for evaluations and
suggestions of how we can work better together.

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
...just because I'm 60 doesn't mean I'm done yet - I have Jean Cotterman and
Virginia Thorley as role models!

             ***********************************************

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