Career Roadmap
Damon's work combines: Science, Technology, and Building Things
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Certification
Orthotist/Prosthetist
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Orthotists and Prosthetists:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Orthotist/Prosthetist
Certification: Orthotist/Prosthetist
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
As a youth, I went to 11 schools in 12 years. I learned how to get along and self-realiance early.
2.
Left Alaska to study military engineering and weapons design at college in Florida.
3.
I met a group of disabled Veterens at a keg party that changed my life.
4.
"Why don't you use your mind to help people, not hurt them? You should build prosthetics"
5.
I studied orthotics & prosthetics. I partied too much, played in punk-rock bands. Dropped-out.
6.
Worked as a carpenter/tradesman until I was 30. I thought my dream of an O&P career was dead.
7.
Knocked on every door and wouldn't take no for an answer until I got an entry level job in O&P.
8.
Worked as a O&P technician for 10 yrs, saved up 50k, and started my own O&P company.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You lack the maturity and experience to manage a company.
How I responded:
My former employer did give me an initial opportunity to pursue my dream job. It became apparent he did not see me as I saw myself: a dependable, capable and creative employee who had helped take his company to the next level. He couldn't get beyond my (deserved) past image as a punk-rock partier. It was hard because I considered him a mentor; someone who's opinions I took to heart. I realized he had an inability to entrust me with real authority or responsibilities. So began my exit strategy.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I got in over my head with credit cards and had to declare bankruptcy. Watch out! Stay away from them-they're evil! Operate on cash only (debit cards). If you want it, save up for it. Seriously.