Hi, I'm Willow Belden and you're listening to Out There, the podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories outdoors.

Today's story is from a woman named Susan Shane. It begins the way many of our adult lives start, with college, internships, dreams of a big

city job.

Susan was constantly striving to keep up with her peers.

And it was working.

She was barreling toward a successful, high-powered future.

Then she had a job interview that changed her path forever.

On this episode, she shares her story.

It's a story about dropping out of the rat race and wasting time.

And it's about the surprising things that can happen when we stop trying to get ahead.

I'll let Susan take it from here.

It was 8 in the morning, and I had an interview in 30 minutes.

Shit. I jumped in the shower, threw on slacks in a sweater, and began walk jogging,

fast enough to get there on time, slow enough to not draw much attention, toward the career center. I was 21 years old and in my last months of college.

I had always been driven and now I was heading toward the goal I'd had for years

to live and work in New York City.

I pictured myself at a fancy marketing, communications, or public relations job.

I was going to wear beautiful clothes, talk about worldly things, and turn brunch into a religion.

This particular morning, my interview was with the financial powerhouse known as Bloomberg.

As soon as I entered the Career Center, with my wet hair and half-eaten granola bar, I felt out of place.

Surrounding me in the waiting room were my fellow applicants. Nearly all were male and all were in suits.

Thankfully, I saw someone I knew from class and plopped down next to him.

...