Ōpōtiki Author Turns Lifetime of Unique Jobs Into Book

An Ōpōtiki-based woman is launching her first book today, reflecting on a lifetime of more than 50 jobs.

After a life filled with varied work, author Meg Collins said she first had the idea to write a book six years ago.

"I've had some very interesting jobs in my life - over 50."

"I thought, I'll choose 14 of them, and I'll write about those, because a lot of them were trailblazing jobs in positions that only men had had."

She wrote the first three chapters, lost them, and only revisited the project in Deccember last year. 

Although the book was originally intended for her grandchildren, interest quickly grew.

"I've got three granddaughters, and I haven't seen a lot of them, because two live in Papamoa, and one lives in Christchurch, and they actually don't know very much about me."

"I never knew my grandparents, so I thought it would be nice to write something down for them and my family."

"But as I talked to other people, they said, ‘You should print more copies.’"

Now ready to launch, Collins has printed 100 copies of I can do Anything: Reflections from the University of Life.

In the book, Collins reflects on a wide range of jobs.

Starting at ANZ, she has since worked as an assistant to the Royal New Zealand Ballet CEO, helped build a house, and grew and sold gherkins.

In the Eastern Bay, she served two terms as a regional councillor, worked in bird conservation and has occaisionally written opinion pieces for Ōpōtiki News. 

Despite this breadth of experience, Collins said she has never had formal training.

"I never went to university, all the experience that I gained was on the job."

"So I just took on stuff that I knew nothing about and just got stuck right into it."

In some roles, she was the first woman to take on the job; something she did not let discourage her.

Working as a salesperson for planned printing and drawing office supplies, she was the only woman in the field in the area.

Initially unfamiliar with the art supply industry, she said "I used to go home with ginormous big catalogues of everything we were selling so that I knew what it was."

"So when I went out to see the customers I could give them an accurate description about what these particular products were about."

She said her hard work paid off, becoming "a bit of an expert" and eventually out performing competitors. 

Collins hopes young women who read the book will be inspired to believe they can do anything too.

"I really think that young women, should read it because from what I can gather, confidence is everything, and a lot of young people don't have the confidence."

Having always been "abundant in confidence," Collins said presentation and initiative are the key to job hunting. 

"I'm not a great person for applying with CVs and sending stuff off, the best thing to do is to go around in person to the company, knock on the door, say who you are and I'm interested in looking for a job."

She said this approach helps people stand out from the hundreds of applications businesses receive, adding that not worrying about others' opinions is crucial. 

Her can do attitude was put to the test when writing her book. 

While she enjoyed the process, she said it required discipline.

"After breakfast, when you've finished your cup of tea, you think, 'I'll just go and hang the washing out,' or 'I'll just go and look at the garden.' "

"No, sorry, you've got to go in the office and start writing."

After four months of writing every morning, Collins completed the book.

A friend who used to be an english teacher helped edit it, a local designer created the cover, and the book was printed locally. 

This afternoon, Collins will launch her book "with a flourish" at Ōpōtiki Library. 

While her family cannot attend, she is inviting the public to join her for food and entertainment at 4pm.

Collins will speak about the book and play the ukulele with two friends before heading to going to Hello India for a celebatory dinner. 

Following the launch, books will be available from Bex's Hairdressing Salon, 18c King Street, Ōpōtiki, for $25.  

Profits will be donated to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation.