Being uncertain about one's future vocation is not necessarily a calamity, one Ohio University assistant professor said.
Hired this past fall to teach poetry and literature courses at OU, Sharmila Voorakkara said that after many years of searching, she finally has found a job that she is truly passionate about.
After graduation (from New York University)
there was nothing career wise I could do with my undergrad political science degree -at least nothing I wanted to do. So I did lots of odd jobs to find my niche Voorakkara said.
During that time, she volunteered at fundraising offices, taught at elementary schools and tutored adjudicated youth in New York City. I am the poster child for people who graduate and do not know what career path to choose. Although I was frustrated at the time I now realize that change is not necessarily bad
Voorakkara said.
Voorakkara said her life turned around once she decided to attend free poetry workshops at the Cleveland Library. There she met with Quincy Troupe, a well-known poet who reviewed her poetry and told her to keep writing. Here she also met her husband John Bullock, who encouraged her to go back to college to get a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Virginia.
After completing her degree, Voorakkara taught a few poetry workshops around the country. She was finally hired to begin teaching at OU in September. This job fulfills me and is truly a gift
she said.
I am very lucky to have motivated students who are interested in learning and improving their poetry skills
Voorakkara said.
Sophomore Carolan Coughlin is a student in Voorakkara's poetry class and said that she loves the workshop atmosphere of sitting in a circle and discussing each other's poetry. This class has definitely helped me gain a greater respect for the art
Coughlin said.
While here at OU, Voorakkara heard about a poetry contest sponsored by the University of Akron Press and decided to enter. Family
friends and staff members supported my work and wanted me to enter
said Voorakkara.
Each year the company runs a contest in which the winner receives $1,000 and has his or her work published. This year, Voorakkara won the contest for her work Fire Wheel
which was judged by poet Maxine Kumin. This is my first publication
and I am still shocked that my poetry was picked from all the entries
