I started in 1998 by trading a web site for a golf membership.
My design skills were fair at best, but the Director of Golf was happy, and my membership was paid for.
After a couple of months, I did a search on Netscape for the term "michigan golf",
and the site was in the top five! Needless to say, the light bulb went on.
I dove in both feet first, absorbing everything I possibly could.
I started a small consulting firm, and parlayed it into a decent business.
Fast forward a few years, and as I was searching for a more permanent position, I found a posting for an in-house SEO job.
I went straight from the sandlot to the Major Leagues! I went from managing a few golf sites to managing over 100, including SEO, PPC, Local, Analytics, etc.
I absolutely loved the job, the additional responsibility, and planting the SEO seeds and watching them grow.
I have been doing in-house SEO for over 4 years, and I love it.
I get to speak at a number of conferences (SES, ad:tech, Emetrics Summit, etc.);
I get to travel to great locations, and I was on the SEMPO Board of Directors.
There is no doubt in my mind that I'm in the right industry.
And, although I've heard it many times, I never thought I'd be able to say it for myself, but,
"I absolutely love what I do, and it really doesn't feel like work."