Abby Ferri

A few weeks ago I learned that Amazon Prime Music had the Hamilton musical soundtrack available for free streaming. I’ve been obsessed since. I haven’t been obsessed with an album like this since Beyonce’s Lemonade, and I’ve gotta say, Hamilton has moved to the top of my summer playlist, especially when I’m working from home.

Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on my Life Cycle of a Safety Career presentation in my makeshift hotel room office and jamming to Hamilton. I am taking a quick break to share some quotes from the musical that are driving my enthusiasm at the moment. I hope you enjoy and check out the musical soundtrack for yourself!

“…there’s a million things I haven’t done but just you wait…”

I’m 13 years into my safety career and there’s so many things I know now that I wish I knew “then.” With all of the public speaking I’ve done this past year in safety, I’ve been able to share a lot with safety pros who are so busy in their daily routine. I have so much more to share and keep adding more to my career path list – just you wait!

“I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy, and hungry…”

OK, so this probably described me much more accurately 13 years ago, however, I still feel pretty scrappy at times. The safety consultation world is welcoming and sharing, yet competitive! It’s a great community and I think by nature it keeps us young. I had the opportunity to present for the ASSE Young Professionals group’s first open call a few months ago. I was shocked that they let me participate, and it left me wondering how much longer I can call myself a Young Professional. I’ll take it!

“I’m not throwing away my shot”

This is why I’m sitting here revising and reworking my presentation for tomorrow morning. The international safety stage provided by ASSE’s annual conference is not to be taken lightly and I do not want to disappoint. By the way, if you’re here at the conference, I am in room B203 on Monday at 10:45-11:45am. Somehow, I landed one of the most coveted speaking slots, right between the first day’s keynote and lunch. I’m speaking on Life Cycle of a Safety Career – A Modern Path. With the ever-changing safety roles in all industries, I think I’ve touched on a topic that is relevant to many in varied ways. I’m looking forward to seeing who shows up and learning more from them.

“Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now”

You could take the cynical or the optimistic view…it’s up to you. I’m choosing optimism. I have so much love and enthusiasm for the safety profession and those who choose it. What better time than now to commit to the safety of the world’s workers?

This song also has “I’m lookin’ for a mind at work work” in the chorus, love it. I’m looking for fellow minds that are working to shape and change the safety profession.

“Let’s have another round tonight!”

Let’s be honest, safety people look forward to this annual event to commiserate and blow off steam with our fellow safety peeps. Tonight is my “school night” because I speak tomorrow. To those of you who get to relax this week, take the opportunity to network outside of the conference and raise a glass to the hard work you do!