UCLA, Mechanical Engineer, Colorado
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
2010s
Overall high school experience
3/10. High school felt like a prison. Most of my memories are negative.
Grades in high school
Mostly A's. I was a nerd.
Favorite subjects
Science, Math, History / Social Studies, Computer Science / Engineering / Technical
Struggled with...
None. I struggled with my identity and making worthwhile friends.
Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation
Life since high school
“I’ve learned that no matter how much I try to be like “the cool kids”, no one will ever care, and all I will do is waste time working toward something that isn’t even important to me. It’s much more rewarding to be myself.”
Attended college / university at
UCLA
Majored in
Mechanical Engineering
Post-graduate education or training
I have a Masters in micromechanics; currently taking graduate classes through a work-sponsored program.
Places lived in US
California, Colorado
Current occupations / past occupations
mechanical engineer, design engineer
Industries I've worked in
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
College prepared me well. High school taught me how to study and prepared me for the rigor of graduate classes.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes. I came in as a biomedical engineer but I hated chemistry. I am currently entertaining switching careers again.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
looking at your past with acceptance and without regrets; looking at the present with contentment and thankfulness; looking at your future with hope, drive to grow, and excitement for what's to come.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Status quo matters less to me now - I am more in tune with what I want from my life, not what I think my peers would see and appreciate.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Taking greater risks in saying no to things I do not want, and putting more of my energy into things that I want to accomplish. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone because I truly want to grow. I've learned how strong I can be and how much I can truly accomplish if I have confidence in myself.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
Biggest mistake was probably trying to fit in. I've learned that no matter how much I try to be like "the cool kids", no one will ever care, and all I will do is waste time working toward something that isn't even important to me. It's much more rewarding to be myself.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I moved to Colorado for my job. It taught me to believe in myself. I overcame living without my family, living with someone else, heartbreak, living alone in a new area, making friends, owning a dog, forgiveness, reconciliation, introspection. The year was a whirlwind of emotion, some great, some painful, and all were important.
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My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Driftwood Deli
