Join The Durango Herald for Durango Diaries, our twice-a-month storytelling series.

Sometimes we need a shift in life. Three residents who made a career change will discuss making the transition to a new profession and the joys - and pitfalls - that came with those new roles.

Storytellers include:
Nancy Utter was a land-use planner for La Plata County for two years before becoming a consultant. Unhappiness with her career path led her to take a chance, follow her passion and go to medical school to pursue a degree in naturopathic medicine. After graduation, she returned to Durango, where she has been practicing for 20 years.

Nicolas Cofman was a bush pilot in Africa before becoming a dentist. After surviving a plane crash in 2011, Cofman attended dental school in Phoenix while his wife and children stayed in Durango. After graduating, he moved back and got a job as a dentist at the practice in which he was a patient.

Sean Jackson's career began in journalism on the Western Slope. While working for area newspapers, he also worked on and around full-sized trains. In 2005, he left his full-time journalism job to join the Durango trail car shop as a rail car inspector and mechanic and has advanced to car shop foreman.

This event is free to the public.

For more information or to sign up for emails about upcoming sessions, email durangodiaries@durangoherald.com