Life Changes - The Interview
Writer and Photographer, Kathy Harms, took a 180 degree career change. Could you?
Kathy Harms started her career as a paramedic. As time moved forward, she found herself working with the international aid agency CMAT (Canadian Medical Assistance Teams). Following this endeavor, she decided to take on some administration roles for the Justice Institute of BC. However, something just wasn’t clicking. Her sense of identity was fading. This is when the shift began.
From the beginning and back again
Many years later, a newly broadened career as a writer and photographer brought Harms back to where she started. In 2024, Harms got the green light on her first biographical drama. She decided to tour and promote her book, “Resilience in the Rubble”. The book documents her time as an emergency responder during the earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan in October 2005. The death toll had been estimated to be as high as 70,000 dead.
Relevance of “Resilience in the Rubble”
The difference with this publication, amongst the throngs of others, is Harms shares the attribution with her friend, Nadeem Malik. Malik was one of the local victims of the disaster. During the time of the quake, Malik was a young adult. In this true story, based on her extensive notes, Harms and Malik, recount what it is to be witness and victim in an environmental catastrophe.
You are probably wondering “Why would I want to read this book?” One important reason is that the book shines a light on the behind-the-scenes accounts of many of these aid agencies. Secondly, and most importantly, a reader learns what it might be like to experience a disaster firsthand. In recent times, when weather patterns are changing at a rapid pace, this information has become very applicable.
The book is well-written with vivid descriptions. These create easily visualized pictures for the reader. As well, the tone of the book shares some light moments mixed in with the severity of the situation. It’s definitely one of those reads that is hard to put down. Substackers, Kathy Harms and Jenn Danielson team up to share Chapter 1 in audio for listeners as well.
Movement into Life Changes
During our twenty-minute interview, we talked about why she turned to photography and writing giving up a career in medicine and science. Career changes are never easy especially when you are not sure where to begin. But sometimes finding a sense of community and identity for oneself is tantamount to a fulfilling life.
Harms talked about her role as a paramedic and working alongside CMAT as rewarding but she became curious. Desiring to see what it would be to like to work behind the scenes, she upgraded her skills. In 2010, she moved away from being a paramedic and took an administration position at the Justice Institute.
Unfortunately, this new career shift fell short and she found herself loosing her identity. Harms established that as a paramedic the community was strong and so was the idea of who she was. However, this wasn’t the case in her new role. So she started exploring photography as a way to gather back her sense of self.
She further discusses how she transitioned from administration to full time writer and photographer in the video interview. To hear more go to the November 2024 interview. Also read more about Kathy Harms at her website.