"Street Smarts" | Memoir | Part V of VI | Travel Journals

Looking back on my life in retirement, I fondly recall the time I was offered a permanent role as a globe traveler for the government.

Between 1997 and 1999, I was reassigned for two years to work as a global traveler after a sack exploded on me in the U.S. Department of Prominence’s mailroom. That unexpected incident, chaotic, messy, and oddly cinematic, catapulted me into a whirlwind of international assignments.

A month before the assignment was about to end, my supervisor, Mr. Hertzberg proposed making this a permanent position for me. I respectfully declined the offer, realizing that two years of continuous travel had quenched my thirst for adventure.

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After two years of traveling the world, I found myself yearning for the stability of a routine and a traditional nine-to-five job. I missed the rhythm of office life, the camaraderie of coworkers, and the comfort of sleeping in my own bed. The thrill of foreign landscapes had begun to wear thin, replaced by a longing for predictability and peace.

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Curious about the job offer, I couldn’t resist asking my supervisor, Mr. Hertzberg why they decided to offer me a permanent position. He explained that this exciting opportunity stemmed from my detailed trip reports, thorough debriefings, contacting him via telephone calls at all hours of the day and night for his guidance, and my knack for navigating and resolving intricate and perilous situations while journeying solo.

Hertzberg’s ultimate response was truly remarkable!

Can you guess what he said?

I’ll give you a moment…

Mr. Hertzberg acknowledged that I possessed the essential “street smarts” required to effectively maneuver and handle difficult situations on behalf of the government!

I was on the verge of fainting when he made that statement because I used to condemn myself for coming from the housing projects. I had spent years trying to distance myself from that part of my story, believing it was a liability. However, it dawned on me that those challenging life experiences in the projects were the very things that had equipped me for this job! The instincts I developed, the ability to read people, the resilience I cultivated, they were all assets.

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Following two years of global travel representing the government, I discovered that my upbringing in the housing projects does not determine my worth, identity, or value. In fact, it shaped me into someone resourceful, observant, and unshakably grounded.

I realized that my survival instincts, sharpened by years of navigating unpredictable environments, had become my greatest professional asset. What I once viewed as a disadvantage was now being praised as a rare and valuable skill set. That shift in perspective changed everything.

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Receiving a permanent position offer to be a global traveler within the government made me feel truly appreciated and acknowledged! It was more than a job offer, it was a validation of my journey, my grit, and my ability to turn adversity into strength.

That moment remains one of the most affirming experiences of my career, and I carry it with pride into this chapter of retirement.

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(Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)