From the Chair: Who, Me?

Professional identity is a curious thing. Like many in our line of work, when I’m asked what I do, I often experience a long moment of hesitation. Is my job title enough? Does it explain my work in a way that fits the context of the conversation? What is it about what I do that’s important, or relevant, or interesting, that I want to communicate? What is it that I really do, anyway? I certainly go to meetings and write emails and update my calendar, but what do I accomplish with all of that? And why should it matter to the person who is asking? (I suppose this is why conventional wisdom suggests that starting a conversation by asking someone what they do is one way to have the conversation quickly stall out.)