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JONATHAN CONYERS
AUTHOR
Jonathan's upbringing wasn't like most; he had a difficult childhood and became a father in high school. Despite these obstacles, he graduated college and loves his job as a respiratory therapist. Along the way, he found another passion: sharing his story with the world. He is now an author of his memoir, I Wasn't Supposed to Be Here, which comes out in September 2023.
THE MUG 10
TEN QUESTIONS THAT UNLOCK REAL STORIES OF SUCCESS.
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AT A GLANCE
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I am able to make my patients feel comfortable and well cared for while using my analytical brain to give them the best dermatologic care possible.
Using my personal experiences to uplift and motivate people of all different backgrounds.
WHAT IS YOUR
UNIQUE GENIUS?
how did you become interested in this career?
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM MY PROFESSOR
I was a father in high school. I needed to know what I wanted to do [because] I had a child to take care of. When I got to college, I knew I was going to be a pharmacist because I had to have my plan right away. Then I started to take some classes. I met with some of my counselors [and] I found out that even in my situation, pharmacy wasn't for me and that was okay. I ended up taking a class in respiratory therapy and I loved respiratory.
I had this amazing [writing] professor. She was like, 'Jonathan, you're an amazing writer—you should minor [in this].' That's when I got interested in writing. After college, I [worked] three days a week and had free time to follow other passions—that's when I started writing more.
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IN WHAT WAYS IS THIS JOB
A PERFECT FIT FOR YOU?
I'm vulnerable.
I'm not afraid to fail.
I'm authentically myself.
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No matter what I do, I try to make sure I'm giving it 100%. I started to hear from others [things like], 'If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know this.' It was like wow, I'm helping people. Once I started to realize the impact that I can have, I started to understand that I am where I belong.
WHAT SKILLS DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT YOUR JOB?
OPEN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
It's not just about the stars aligning, it's me being open to the stars aligning. It's me saying 'yes' to certain opportunities.
I am able to make my patients feel comfortable and well cared for while using my analytical brain to give them the best dermatologic care possible.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER?
THERE'S STRENGTH IN VULNERABILITY
A lot of times people think [when] you share your story or you tell the truth about things that you went through, it can show signs of weakness. But the most courageous and the bravest people are the people that ask for help, the people that live in their truth.
I know in high school, I couldn't dream this, but I kept working hard. I didn't put too much pressure on myself. I just went through the process.
I am able to make my patients feel comfortable and well cared for while using my analytical brain to give them the best dermatologic care possible.
IN YOUR BODY OF WORK, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
BEING RECOGNIZED BY MY UNIVERSITY
My university, Stony Brook, did a campaign called Far Beyond where they highlighted students who go far beyond. I was very fortunate to be selected for it. There was a big poster of me covering the entire library as big as a billboard in Times Square. That kind of changed my life.
WHAT'S 1 THING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND ABOUT YOUR JOB?
WE ALL HAVE A BOOK IN US
Every single individual, I think, has a book in them. My theory is if I can do it, anybody can do it.
INDUSTRY STATISTICS
AUTHOR
PROJECTED GROWTH
Projected Growth: 4%-7%
Projected Openings: 15,200
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY RANGE
$38,500-$133,580
TOP SKILLS FOR THIS JOB
Storytelling
Writing
Empathy
Creativity
Reading Comprehension
Persistence
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Attention to Detail
Initiative
Accuracy
Persistence
TRAINING + DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree or some college usually needed