As people set to dinner, I breathed a sigh of relief: the conference was going well.Running is a part of my job as a university program manager working on a project to boost biotech collaborations between academia and industry.When I started in the role a few years earlier I thought maybe, after years of career exploration I had finally found the right job for me.But at the conference, I found myself wondering whether that was really what I wanted from my career.I’m a scientist, not an even planner but I had been too busy organizing the conference to appreciate the research being discussed.Was it time for yet another change? I started off as a lab scientist, but then discovered that the highly focused nature of lab work wasn’t for me.My next job was at a pharmaceutical company-- conducting literature searches.I enjoyed the work, which allowed me to stay close to research.But I was only offered a short-term contract, so after a year I had to move on.I then became a scientific journal editor.I loved the breath of science that I was exposed to, but there required a lengthy commute.So, I made another dramatic change and moved back to the ivory tower for my current job.

It had become a pattern: I spent a few years in each role only to find that it wasn’t quite the right fit.I also realized that maybe I was searching for something that didn’t exist.

I began to think about the creative ways to add the scientific stimulation.I sought to my work life.With my previous knowledge and my experience as editor, I realized I had the skill set to do that through freelance and science writing, such as journals and blogs.

With my former colleague positive responses, I finally decided I could do my university job on a less than full time schedule.Fortunately, my manager agreed.

For the last year, I have been a university program manager/ freelance writer, and I have never been happier.Wearing the two roles together has been a bit tricky at times.But I really feel I have a career that is tailored to my needs.I have realized that a career doesn’t need to be “off the shelf.”Jobs can be mixed and matched to get to one that fits.