It Becomes a Calling

2015-07-09T17:28:15-04:00

A funny thing happened on my way to becoming a world famous actor. Before my terminal leave was over, I was already working for a major motion picture studio in Hollywood. My acting class was filled with young celebrities who starred in some of the most popular TV shows of the day. I had been cast as an Israeli soldier in a play for a two month run in North Hollywood; after a performance one night, an Israeli woman approached me from the audience. “I can tell you are Jewish, and you really were an Israeli soldier,” she said with an accent as thick as Challah bread. Being an Irish-Catholic from Boston, I considered this a high compliment.

My nine-to-five regularly put me in the offices of studio executives, film and television producers, and the head of the story department. I should have been happy, but I was miserable. My boss was a terror - a manic depressive who yelled at me one minute, cried her heart out to me the next, and forced me to have lunch with her every day. She nearly fired me when I received a summons for jury duty and got assigned to a murder trial. When I realized my three weeks on that jury were the best three weeks I’d spent in California, I knew it was time to leave.

For the second time since I separated from active duty, I had made a significant career change.

Back in Boston after six years, I found myself an unemployed veteran. I took a job working retail at the mall and interviewed as often as I could. I missed the sense of purpose that serving in the military had given me, so I knew I wanted to help people and do something positive in the world. Unfortunately, non-profit organizations don’t pay well or nothing at all. They sought candidates who already had their Bachelor’s degrees, but I didn’t. They wanted those who could live off a salary of $27,000 a year, but I couldn’t.

Clearly, the time had come to go back to college. Friends from high school were already several years into their first career while I was color coordinating Le Creuset pots at Williams-Sonoma. Despite my lack of a diploma, Northeastern University hired me for an entry-level position in their financial aid office. As an openly veteran employee, I was a rare breed. The ink on the Post-9/11 GI Bill was still wet, and we had signed up to participate in something called the Yellow Ribbon Program. Young veterans started pouring into campus, and all eyes were on me. I volunteered to help out and very quickly transitioned from “the loan guy” to a resident expert on all things military. I founded our Student Veterans Organization as well as a veterans’ success committee. I had never felt so busy in my life, but somehow I’d also never had as much fun in a professional setting. A piece of advice I’d once heard came back to me: “Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

The university eventually created a position working with veterans, and my new career had officially begun. Over a short period, the position blossomed, expanded, and took me places I never expected. It’s been an absolute honor to be both a witness and participant in their transformation from service member to student, from active duty to veteran.

The desire to do something meaningful that benefits veterans is an admirable pursuit, and I truly hope more prior-service men and women will happen to find themselves on this path. I shared my story because things happened rather organically. A foundation had to be laid; a position had to be created. The process was slow and purposeful, the work purpose-filled.

The fact is, though, that working with veterans began as a job, an occupation. A collection of functions and responsibilities that I thought I was shaping has, in reality, been shaping me. No longer just “a job,” serving this outstanding population of men and women has revealed itself as a calling. How lucky I am to have heard it.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 9 at 2015 5:35 PM

2015-07-09T17:35:30-04:00

Great "story" of success!! Life on the civilian side can be hard, and it appears that you have done well with it; bumps included!!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jul 9 at 2015 5:42 PM

2015-07-09T17:42:24-04:00

Thanks for what you do for our fellow veterans SrA Andrew McCarty! Semper fi ...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 9 at 2015 6:01 PM

2015-07-09T18:01:45-04:00

SrA Andrew McCarty Outstanding story! Happy to see meaningful veteran leadership in the University world.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 6:06 PM

2015-07-09T18:06:04-04:00

That is AWESOME SrA Andrew McCarty. I am still looking for my "job that ain't a job."

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jul 9 at 2015 6:22 PM

2015-07-09T18:22:54-04:00

Great piece SrA Andrew McCarty. I can really relate to this story. In the military, we are given positions and jobs to take on some great challenges. It's really on us to grow into them and create something even better than the job description had listed. Same goes for anyone in the civilian world. Northeastern has such a rich history of supporting the military and it must feel great to be a part of something much greater than yourself. Really appreciate you sharing your story with us. Excellent example of finding and growing a career versus just landing a job.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-07-09T18:51:04-04:00

I wish that I could give a thumbs up 1000 times. thanks for sharing.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 9 at 2015 9:42 PM

2015-07-09T21:42:15-04:00

Cool story SrA Andrew McCarty, thanks for sharing.

Response by Capt John Young made Jul 10 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-07-10T13:20:21-04:00

Inspiring story for those trying to find their way. Great job!

Response by CPT Steve Curley made Jul 10 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-07-10T14:12:13-04:00

Andy, I'm retired COO from Boston (high tech) and a BC undergrad and NU MBA. Have significant number of "C" level business contacts in Boston. I will contact you at NU to see if there is a way I can help Vets with employment searches. Am tied up for summer but will call to set up appointment right after labor day. Who knows maybe it will lead to a retirement volunteer opportunity to help Vets and get me back out in the business world. Hoorah!!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 10 at 2015 4:36 PM

2015-07-10T16:36:34-04:00

SrA Andrew McCarty אתה לא נראה כישראלי...

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 4:57 PM

2015-07-10T16:57:35-04:00

SrA Andrew McCarty, I've been working with you since my daughter Jordan first considered Northeastern. Now she's a grad and my son Carter is a rising sophomore. Throughout the process, you have been exemplary as NEU's de facto "veterans' ambassador" and have grown the Post-9/11 GI Bill part of the school's financial aid process into a world-class organization. Josie Smith is a great hire. Congrats! As always, it's been a pleasure to work with you and be a part of your story. Best, Baron

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 11 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-07-11T14:50:16-04:00

I believe that helping people is my calling. I truly believe that this is what GOD had in mind for me to do.
I am a Soldiers' Angel. My group for Suicidal Active Duty and for Suicidal Veterans, is doing exceedingly well. http://www.facebook.com/groupforsuicidalactivedutyandforsuicidalveterans
Just click on that web address above; and it will take you straight to the group site. (now.)

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 11 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-07-11T14:56:21-04:00

Sensational story, SrA Andrew McCarty. Thank you for your continued service.

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Jul 11 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-07-11T18:56:43-04:00

Great story. Good things happen to good people. You are blessed to be happy for what you are doing at work. Hard work always pays off. Every stone turned is a lesson learned. Good luck, keep shining at what you do.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-07-15T15:19:31-04:00

Great post, SrA Andrew McCarty. You should be a writer!