The marketing team I lead at Skillsoft hosts a new intern class every year, often bringing in three or more students who work on a project — or set of projects — that contribute to their own personal growth, as well as that of the company. And one of my favorite things to do is meet with these highly motivated young people to understand their experiences and to answer any questions they might have.

This past week, I spent time with two of our current interns, who wanted to know how I got “from there to here.” It was a logical question, but I didn’t have a logical answer. Frankly, my background doesn’t exactly follow a linear progression and so when I step back and reflect on my journey, I’m often a bit surprised. So, here goes…

I was a professional mime in high school. Yes, there is such a thing. And no, I’m not kidding. I attended the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas, and was a proud (if silent) member of the mime club, which put on massive theatrical productions but also served as entertainment during store grand openings (Macy’s!) and national conventions.

And while you might be raising an eyebrow (or two!), I can tell you that it was an incredible honor to make the mime troupe.

Anyway, I had big dreams of being an actor. But, if I’m being completely honest, I was never good enough. I had my moments though. I was fortunate to play the woman who screams loudly and passes out during a farce. And during our take on the Salem Witch Trials, I was symbolically hung many times to represent the number of women and men who were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death as witches. Trust me, it was all very artsy.

But, deep down, I knew that acting was not in the cards, and so … I decided to go to law school. I did an internship with the public defender’s office, served as a staffer on a gubernatorial campaign, and even went door-to-door to collect U.S. census data. Punch line: After those internships, I decided NOT to go to law school.

Like so many things in life, I found marketing by happenstance. I started my career as an administrative assistant at a marketing promotions agency, learning much of the craft by typing up the creative briefs account managers would toss into a basket near my computer. (I also learned to type.) But I came to realize that there was a slight gap between the agency’s values and mine. Actually, it was more like the Grand Canyon. The agency worked for some of the largest alcohol and tobacco companies in the world, and one of the briefs sent my way offered suggestions for how to sell a particular alcohol brand “down market,” which meant to a younger audience. I moved on.

Soon, I found a product marketing role at a technology company. I furthered my career and knowledge along the way, supplementing my “learned-on-the-job” skills with a Master’s in Communications Management from Simmons University and several certifications.

But what truly defines my career are the roles I took that helped me grow. That pushed me to be open to something new. To better myself. Oftentimes at the company I was already with. At an analytics company, I managed a small sales team and held a quota. I helped to close one of our largest clients and ultimately served as executive sponsor on the account. I learned a great deal by walking in the shoes of my sales counterparts. And all along the way, I made many mistakes, learning a great deal in the process.

But perhaps the most valuable lesson I’ve learned — the one that truly got me from “there to here” — is that you must surround yourself with the very best, the most talented people who are often better at their craft than you are. In fact, I’d say especially the ones who are better than you. Learning can happen in any direction.

Learning really is the key, isn’t it? If you’re open to new experiences, to trying new roles in new companies and industries, to learning more each step of the way, you may, like me, find your passion and purpose.

As I look back fondly on my days as a mime, I realize that where we start is not always where we end up.

And that’s probably a good thing.