{"id":77317,"date":"2021-03-05T19:07:24","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T03:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?p=77317"},"modified":"2023-12-01T16:03:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T00:03:18","slug":"catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Kerr &#8217;09, Writer for ChargePoint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-4ykj694-44e79710c2e8e23d3a81416900293dcf\">\n.avia-section.av-4ykj694-44e79710c2e8e23d3a81416900293dcf{\nbackground-color:#f3f3f3;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1' aria-label='SOU English Stories - New Year New Opportunities - Intro Section' class='avia-section av-4ykj694-44e79710c2e8e23d3a81416900293dcf main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_submenu  avia-builder-el-first  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.av-special-heading.av-s1oi8j-60a91e8e0bde704f029835744f186744 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-s1oi8j-60a91e8e0bde704f029835744f186744 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-s1oi8j-60a91e8e0bde704f029835744f186744 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-1  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  av-inherit-size av-linked-heading'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >English Stories<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div class='clear'><\/div><div id='sub_menu1'  class='av-submenu-container av-3ry2oug-1ba206d32ef5db7e02bde89230572be4 alternate_color  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  av-sticky-submenu 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class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-6yt73c-debb417c445cfe7369f26a254264f3e4\">\n.flex_column.av-6yt73c-debb417c445cfe7369f26a254264f3e4{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-6yt73c-debb417c445cfe7369f26a254264f3e4 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-4  el_before_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1p5qe5k-1c73e8dfc2974f77a73771db6a8fd9b7\">\n.flex_column.av-1p5qe5k-1c73e8dfc2974f77a73771db6a8fd9b7{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-1p5qe5k-1c73e8dfc2974f77a73771db6a8fd9b7 av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kl2wsckg-db417332fe363ab6d421de8c1dac6c38\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wsckg-db417332fe363ab6d421de8c1dac6c38 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wsckg-db417332fe363ab6d421de8c1dac6c38 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kl2wsckg-db417332fe363ab6d421de8c1dac6c38 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-6  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.webp 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1500w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x302.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg\" height=\"822\" width=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x441.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1536x658.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1500x642.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x302.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" class=\"wp-image-77318 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-77318 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Michael Kerr Charge Point English Interview Stories 糖心传媒 University\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76{\npadding-bottom:0;\nfont-size:28px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:28px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:18px;\ncolor:#404040;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-klyawoxe-d5fad852deff1f68b4ba0e56878e7c76 av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock  top-30 av-inherit-size av-linked-heading'><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_above'><p>Catching Up with Alumni:<\/p>\n<\/div><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Michael Kerr \u201809, Writer for ChargePoint<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-js26a39q-299e99c89277aa8a5999f7640b5c413b '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>March 5, 2021<br \/>\nBy Dianira Piceno, Senior English Major<\/em><\/p>\n<p>SOU alumni, Michael Kerr, graduated Summa Cum Laude Laude with a degree in English and Writing from SOU in 2009. After graduation, Kerr ventured into the writing world and has written for dozens of publications including VentureBeat, Portland Business Journal, Forbes, and the Financial Times. As of 2021, Kerr currently works for ChargePoint, where he writes thought leadership articles about electric mobility and the future of transportation. He currently lives in Corvallis, Oregon with his fianc\u00e9e Jocelyn, a rambunctious dog, and two black cats. Though Kerr is often busy writing, he does take solace in uncomfortable silences.<\/p>\n<p><em>In this guest post, Kerr writes about his journey since graduation, which has been full of pivotal moments for him. In his essay, he shares his struggles and triumphs throughout his career. He credits his education at SOU for the many opportunities that he has been very fortunate to be a part of.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The company I work for recently went public. It&#8217;s a big deal. I&#8217;m a writer for ChargePoint, one of the world&#8217;s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. Listing day was a momentous occasion for the company, of course, and an important milestone on the road to a clean transportation future. It was also significant for me personally. My fianc\u00e9e, Jocelyn, and I have been talking a lot about moments recently. About how, in an instant, the decisions you make can determine the course of your life, for better or worse, for years, for decades, or even forever.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kl2wtggn-fe4456d9686f65799f9cbb110030d399\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wtggn-fe4456d9686f65799f9cbb110030d399 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wtggn-fe4456d9686f65799f9cbb110030d399 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kl2wtggn-fe4456d9686f65799f9cbb110030d399 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.webp 1920w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x128.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x441.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x329.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1536x658.webp 1536w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1500x642.webp 1500w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x302.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg\" height=\"822\" width=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1030x441.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1536x658.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-1500x642.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-with-Fiancee-Jocelyn-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-705x302.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" class=\"wp-image-77323 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-77323 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Michael Kerr with Fiancee Jocelyn English Interview Stories 糖心传媒 University\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-js26a39q-94b38af98eb913c9a2b82a97fb6b9dde '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Kerr and his fianc\u00e9e, Jocelyn.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-js26a39q-94b38af98eb913c9a2b82a97fb6b9dde '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Looking back over the past 15 years, since before I re-enrolled at SOU in 2006 as a &#8220;mature student&#8221; who had already had a career as an entrepreneur and small business owner, there have been many such moments. I remember each one vividly. At the time my former-wife and business partner, Nikki, and I decided to sell our successful frame shop in Bend, Oregon to open an art gallery closer to family and friends in Ashland. I remember the exact moment I decided to give up management to return to school to finish my degree. I remember the moment in Kasey Mohammad&#8217;s class when I was inspired to pursue English and writing as a career.<\/p>\n<p>In 2008, while enrolled in Bill Gholson&#8217;s creative nonfiction writing class, I submitted my first essay for publication in an obscure online literary journal called Prick of the Spindle. It was a long piece (with a very long title) about an unfortunate trip Nikki and I had taken to Greece with my brother, Greg, and his then ex-girlfriend. I remember hopefully checking my email, while simultaneously bracing for rejection. There was a moment of elation when I learned my story would be published. There was an even bigger celebration when it was nominated for inclusion in that year&#8217;s Best of Creative Nonfiction by W.W. Norton. It gave me the confidence to keep going.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after graduation in 2009, I got lucky and landed a gig writing short trivia pieces for a popular book series. Eventually, I realized &#8220;pay upon publication&#8221; wouldn&#8217;t pay the bills, so I decided to take the advice of every English teacher I&#8217;ve ever had: write what you know. I began cranking out articles about small business; one after another, for years. The compensation wasn&#8217;t much better than for writing funny stories, but I kept at it until I had built both a portfolio and some credibility. In 2012, I decided to try my hand at more lucrative subjects including healthcare and technology. By then, I had moved to Portland and I&#8217;d been published thousands of times.<\/p>\n<p>In 2014, I still didn&#8217;t know how to turn freelancing into job security, so I reached out to a new friend who had been doing it successfully for years. Michelle agreed to meet me for coffee to discuss my dilemma. It was one of the pivotal moments of my life. She suggested I connect with a talent agency she&#8217;d used in the past. I did and, a few months later, I was offered an eight-week contract writing remotely for local tech darling, Jive Software. Then, there was another moment that, in retrospect, was so deceptively simple, yet so monumental, it would completely and profoundly alter the course of my life.<\/p>\n<p>As my contract was wrapping up, I was contemplating the next thing when I discovered I&#8217;d set up my temporary Jive email address incorrectly. I&#8217;d nearly missed a message from Jive&#8217;s Content Manager, Judith Rich, inviting me to come in-house for another eight-week contract. I\u2019m sure it wasn&#8217;t the first time Microsoft had inadvertently nearly destroyed someone&#8217;s career. That contract turned into a full-time position and a three-year run that only ended because the company was sold and the new ownership replaced the entire staff, many of whom had become like family to me. Had I not realized my earlier error, it&#8217;s likely you wouldn&#8217;t be reading this post today.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kl2wtggn-936307fdb7e7ea049ec27cd182d50871\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wtggn-936307fdb7e7ea049ec27cd182d50871 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wtggn-936307fdb7e7ea049ec27cd182d50871 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kl2wtggn-936307fdb7e7ea049ec27cd182d50871 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU.webp 1920w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-300x128.webp 300w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-1030x441.webp 1030w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-768x329.webp 768w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-1536x658.webp 1536w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-1500x642.webp 1500w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-705x302.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU.jpg\" height=\"822\" width=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-1030x441.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-1536x658.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-1500x642.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Chargepoint-Banner-NYSE-New-York-Stock-Exchange-Michael-Kerr-English-Interview-Stories-SOU-705x302.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" class=\"wp-image-77324 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-77324 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Chargepoint Banner NYSE New York Stock Exchange Michael Kerr English Interview Stories SOU\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-js26a39q-94b38af98eb913c9a2b82a97fb6b9dde '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Chargepoint, the company Kerr writes for.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-js26a39q-94b38af98eb913c9a2b82a97fb6b9dde '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In late 2017, while contemplating my career options, one of my former Jive colleagues, Kim, reached out via LinkedIn to ask if I knew someone who would like to write for a growing EV charging startup in Silicon Valley. I had no idea what that was, but I was intrigued. I wrote back, &#8220;That sounds like me.&#8221; Despite the fact that ChargePoint rarely hired remote employees, I was offered a contract. I signed it the very first day I was in Corvallis looking for a place to live to be closer to the person who would eventually become my fianc\u00e9e. As with Jive, that temporary job turned into a full-time position. Now, three and a half years later, that company has gone public, almost certainly ensuring my financial security for the rest of my life.<\/p>\n<p>Not everyone gets to do work they love, much less for a company that shares their values and is changing the world for the better. I am so fortunate \u2014 for my experience here at SOU and for all the opportunities my education has unlocked for me. These days, I try not to take a single moment for granted. It\u2019s easy to forget sometimes that one decision can make all the difference. But it can. They all can. And each one, strung together over and over, year after year, can make a life. And if you&#8217;re lucky, your life can even help change the world. I hope someday mine will. I&#8217;ll let you know.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kl2wtggn-a687111a596cc18a90ffe9e372736c53\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wtggn-a687111a596cc18a90ffe9e372736c53 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kl2wtggn-a687111a596cc18a90ffe9e372736c53 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kl2wtggn-a687111a596cc18a90ffe9e372736c53 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.webp 183w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-80x80.webp 80w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-36x36.webp 36w,https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-180x180.webp 180w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 183px) 100vw, 183px\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.png\" height=\"183\" width=\"183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University.png 183w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-headshot-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-180x180.png 180w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 183px) 100vw, 183px\" class=\"wp-image-77325 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-77325 avia_image  sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Michael Kerr headshot English Interview Stories 糖心传媒 University\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  > <\/picture><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-js26a39q-94b38af98eb913c9a2b82a97fb6b9dde '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Thanks to Michael Kerr, &#8217;09 for this essay. If you have an idea you&#8217;d like to see featured on our Stories page, send it to <a href=\"mailto:picenod@sou.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">picenod@sou.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Interested in the English program at SOU? Learn more about the programs offered below:<\/em><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/\">English Home Page<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/english-ba\/\">English BA\/BS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/english-minor\/\">English Minor<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/english\/programs\/teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages\/\">TESOL Certificate Program<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-29qkaqt-e786e759a95b33f911844d767e4bd779\">\n#top .hr.av-29qkaqt-e786e759a95b33f911844d767e4bd779{\nmargin-top:0;\nmargin-bottom:20px;\n}\n.hr.av-29qkaqt-e786e759a95b33f911844d767e4bd779 .hr-inner{\nwidth:50;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-29qkaqt-e786e759a95b33f911844d767e4bd779 hr-custom  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading  hr-center hr-icon-no'><span class='hr-inner 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.av-special-heading.av-1sss4yt-d27f893007eb40f4888db18509af73d8 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-1sss4yt-d27f893007eb40f4888db18509af73d8 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-18  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_button  av-inherit-size'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Get notified when new English stories are published!<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-4phmf9-f7bddf7a18d02535f1e55f291072b862-wrap avia-button-center  avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_hr '><a href="https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdB-YJRDHj3QYJJkUw4TuSh2eYZGSXo7GW60qGcOGUj2wLAWw\/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0"  class='avia-button av-4phmf9-f7bddf7a18d02535f1e55f291072b862 av-link-btn avia-icon_select-no avia-size-large 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class=\"av-share-box\"><h5 class='av-share-link-description av-no-toc '>Share this entry<\/h5><ul class=\"av-share-box-list noLightbox\"><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-facebook' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href="https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/&#038;t=Michael%20Kerr%20%E2%80%9909%2C%20Writer%20for%20ChargePoint" aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f3' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Facebook'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-twitter' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on X\" href="https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Michael%20Kerr%20%E2%80%9909%2C%20Writer%20for%20ChargePoint&#038;url=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/?p=77317" aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue932' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on X'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on X<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-linkedin' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn\" href="https:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;title=Michael%20Kerr%20%E2%80%9909%2C%20Writer%20for%20ChargePoint&#038;url=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/" aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8fc' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on LinkedIn'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-mail' ><a  aria-label=\"Share by Mail\" href="mailto:?subject=Michael%20Kerr%20%E2%80%9909%2C%20Writer%20for%20ChargePoint&#038;body=https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/" aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue805' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share by Mail'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share by Mail<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-6yt73c-e7ab01bc47506500b574d639596a0f33\">\n.flex_column.av-6yt73c-e7ab01bc47506500b574d639596a0f33{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-6yt73c-e7ab01bc47506500b574d639596a0f33 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-22  el_after_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-size:13px\" class=\"pop-4 heavy-man\">Catching Up with Alumni<\/p>\n<p class=\"pop-0\"> SOU alumni, Michael Kerr, graduated Summa Cum Laude Laude with a degree in English and Writing from SOU in 2009. After graduation, Kerr ventured into the writing world and has written for dozens of publications including VentureBeat, Portland Business Journal, Forbes, and the Financial Times.<\/p>\n<div class=\"avia-button-wrap avia-button-left\"><a class=\"avia-button avia-color-dark avia-size-large avia-position-left \" href=\"\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Michael Kerr Here\">READ MORE<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":77321,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[296,284],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-featured","post_format-post-format-aside"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Michael Kerr &#039;09, Writer for ChargePoint - SOU English Program Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"SOU alumni, Michael Kerr, graduated Summa Cum Laude Laude with a degree in English and Writing from SOU in 2009.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Michael Kerr &#039;09, Writer for ChargePoint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"SOU alumni, Michael Kerr, graduated Summa Cum Laude Laude with a degree in English and Writing from SOU in 2009. After graduation, Kerr ventured into the writing world and has written for dozens of publications including VentureBeat, Portland Business Journal, Forbes, and the Financial Times.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SOU Academic Programs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SOUAshland\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-03-06T03:07:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-02T00:03:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-on-Facebook.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sean Glassford\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"SOU alumni, Michael Kerr, graduated Summa Cum Laude Laude with a degree in English and Writing from SOU in 2009. After graduation, Kerr ventured into the writing world and has written for dozens of publications including VentureBeat, Portland Business Journal, Forbes, and the Financial Times.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-on-Twitter.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@souashland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@souashland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sean Glassford\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sean Glassford\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#\/schema\/person\/d63857b3b310cf49180208a32b86d2bc\"},\"headline\":\"Michael Kerr &#8217;09, Writer for ChargePoint\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-06T03:07:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-02T00:03:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\"},\"wordCount\":2519,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2021\/03\/Michael-Kerr-Charge-Point-English-Interview-Stories-Southern-Oregon-University-Cover.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"English\",\"Featured\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sou.edu\/academics\/catching-up-with-alumni-michael-kerr\/\",\"name\":\"Michael Kerr '09, Writer for ChargePoint - 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