Boston, MA
Receiving an invitation to the Harvard JFK School’s Institute of Politics to “lecture” about politics and campaigns — then getting invited back several months later to address a larger group — validated in my own mind the unconventional professional path I stumbled upon.
Many of the students wanted to be campaign operatives. I told them the goal can only be achieved from working campaigns out in the field — not sitting in a classroom. I also mentioned at the outset as an aside I’d dropped out of college to tour with the Dead before getting into the campaign business, explained how and why this wasn’t the best approach for most, and suggested they pursue a campaign career in a more conventional manner.
I was invited back to address a larger group.