Name, Age, and State:  Luis Serrano, 32, Florida

Job-title: Bible based Graphic Novel Writer My trades are: Bookkeeper & Purchasing Agent

Web/blog site URL: www.RootedChronicles.com & www.SamsonTN.com

Give us your job description in 25 words or less. My writing combines my passion for Scriptures and graphic novels. My trades consist of purchasing for larger business and bookkeeping for small businesses.

Describe a typical workday. Bookkeeping is in essence a data entry job. It requires understanding the principles of bookkeeping so that you can record that data correctly. There are administrative tasks involved such as, filing, mailings, phone calls, etc.

Purchasing also has a data entry foundation, but I enjoy it more than bookkeeping because there’s more variety in the job. As a purchasing agent, my general responsibilities involve buying goods and services. Being able to prioritize my workload is important because urgent purchase requests are very common. I enjoy the distractions of putting out ‘small fires’ throughout the day because it keeps the day more interesting for me. Task can involve, researching products, placing orders, negotiating contracts, and resolving the several problems that can occur such as damaged goods or incorrect products.

Working on graphic novels at this stage involves a variety of things, such as writing, reviewing art, marketing, promoting, etc.

What led you to realize that you wanted to do this type of work? I just fell into purchasing after college, and found that I not only enjoyed it but was very good at it.

I studied books on bookkeeping to better learn the trade. It was a challenge to learn without a teacher, but I was able to pass the certification exams. I consider this my trade.

I truly believe that it is important for our young adults to learn a trade while they are in high school. Trades are skills that you learn to use at anytime in your life to earn an income. It can be difficult to get a job, and easy to lose it. As most college students struggling to decide on a major can tell you, it’s hard to know what career path to pursue. Many people are in jobs that have no relation to their college education, and they did not for see themselves in that job.

The apostle Paul’s trade was tentmaker and he plied his trade as he traveled on his missionary journeys. I think it is especially important for young men because, once they have their own families, a trade is something to fall back upon to support the family.

Working on graphic novels is new for me, but so far I really enjoy it. Sometimes the Father prunes good things from us, so that our fruit in another area can truly flourish. I’ve found that my gifts and interests could be successful in a few areas. Having tried a few, this is where the Father has led me now.

Did you have any heroes or mentors in your industry that you admired? I’ve always admired those who’ve worked hard and were able to get their ideas off the ground.

What type of education or training was required to land your job? There are certification exams for bookkeeping

Purchasing usually requires a college degree, though it doesn’t have to be in Purchasing. Certification is also available.

I’m self-funding my graphic novel, so there was no one to tell me I wasn’t qualified 

What do you love most about your job? There’s not one thing specifically. I love that my work interest me and uses my gifts.

What one part of your job do you wish you could hire someone else to do? Filing

What advice would you give to teenagers wanting to get into your field of work? Most young people aren’t taught how to manage their money and part of that management is keeping a record of the money you make and spend. So, I recommend that they seek to learn basic money management skills if they aren’t being taught at home. If you find that you like keeping track of your money, than bookkeeping could be something for you.

If you like searching for the best prices, products, and negotiating for them, then purchasing could be for you.

In terms of writing, I’d say do it because you love to do it. You may not be able to support yourself doing it, but if you have a trade with which to support yourself while you write, then you’ll be able to do something you love, which is a great thing.

How does your job allow you to use your God-given gifts? I see my gifts at work throughout my work - being meticulous in bookkeeping, creative in writing, and problem solving in purchasing.

I find that I’m suited for several of the elements of each job. It’s good to remember, though that one of the curses of the fall is that our work now yields ‘thorns & thistles’. Every job has its challenges that we must toil through.

Do you have any hobbies or off-hours pursuits that teenagers would find of interest? Yes, my graphic novel ‘Samson the Nazirite’ is an exciting retelling of the Biblical story of Samson.