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Mark Ralsky, banker turned firefighter
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Firefighter, Children's Book Writer (210)For seven years Mark Ralsky worked in the banking industry. He started as a teller and worked his way up to a commercial lending coordinator. Like many young boys, Mark wanted to be a fireman when he grew up — and like many boys, Mark's dream went up in flames when he grew up. But after several years working in the safe, secure, respectable, boring world of banking, he knew there had to be more. The bank asked all of their employees to volunteer some of their personal time to the community. It was just what Mark needed — an outlet to pursue a more passionate life.
Mark volunteered to work with a local ambulance company – doing ride-alongs, and learning about what it takes to become an EMT. Mark took his volunteering a step further and enrolled in paramedic classes. Mark happily worked as an EMT, but it still wasn't his dream job. He figured if he had come this far, he might as well go for it all, and try to become a firefighter – a coveted and hard to get job in Stanford, Conn.
Firefighter Facts:
- Ralsky completed 1,400 hours of paramedic classes and training within 13 months. He still works two to eight days a month as a paramedic.
- He has never been injured while working as a firefighter.
Contact Information:
Mark Ralsky
mcr769@hotmail.com
Janet Wong was a successful corporate lawyer in charge of negotiating union contracts and delivering employment terminations. Eventually, the harshness of her job began to affect her outlook and approach to life, and she didn't like where she was headed. A search for her old self was successful when she discovered at a children's bookstore a love of children's literature.
Wong quit her lucrative job and set our on a quest to write a children's book and have it published within one year. Six months past her self-imposed deadline, and after many rejection letters, her first book was published. Since then eleven of Wong's books have been published, and she's having the time of her life.
Children's Book Writer Facts:
- Wong took a writing class at UCLA before starting her new career.
- Instead of working less, she finds herself writing and reading 40 to 50 hours a week.
- Writers often find inspiration in the world around them and in every day life.
- Authors rarely get to choose the illustrators for their books.
Janet Wong Book List:
A Suitcase of Seaweed: And Other Poems
Apple Pie 4th of July
Good Luck Gold — Wong's first published book
The Trip Back Home
You Have to Write
Contact Information:
Janet Wong
janet@janetwong.com
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