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About Me — Ellie Jacobson
A writer, one part content blended with one part creative
My name is Ellie Jacobson, which you probably gathered by the article title. I’m also part Irish so excuse my sarcasm.
My life
I grew up in the ’70s and the ’80s (the best time I tell ya!). I was born and raised by the most wonderful (not sarcasm) Mom with red hair on the East Side of St. Paul in Minnesota. She was the youngest of 10 so my life was filled with uncles, aunts, and endless cousins (some I haven’t met yet sadly).
When I was 20, I attended St. Catherine University where I changed my major about four times in two years, landing on English. I left school two years in because of anxiety and not understanding how to manage it. That is my greatest regret, leaving school. I love school. I was the kid that played school with neighborhood kids and I had to be the teacher. I was interested in everything under the sun, thus the reason for switching majors.
I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to major in English. When I told people what my major was, they advised, “You won’t find a good job with a degree in English.” At that age, I respected the advice from family (I think they were being sarcastic so that may not have been a wise decision).
After a decade of floating through life, I fell in love and started a family. My life was focused on my kids. I ran an Etsy shop full time (making home decor with travertine tiles) while raising my sons.
But I felt a void as they grew older. I wanted to finish my bachelor's degree I left behind. I figured the credits would not transfer and I would end up starting over. Physically going back to a traditional college was not an option with two kids and a full-time business. After applying to Arizona State University, I was shocked most of my credits were transferable. I didn’t have to start over.
After two years I graduated with my degree in technical communication. Initially, wanted to study creative writing but the voices in my head persisted, “That’s not practical.” I don’t regret majoring in technical communication as it was still writing.
I’ve learned over the years I’m the type of person who likes both content writing and creative writing.