Success does not = stress.
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
2000s
Overall high school experience
10/10. I loved high school. Unlike what seems to be the "norm" in Palo Alto. Honestly, I didn't try very hard in high school. School was not a priority of mine. Having fun with friends and playing soccer was. However, I still went to a private 4 year university and graduated Cum Laude. My experience is proof that high school doesn't have to be an extremely stressful environment, you can still have fun and succeed in life.
Grades in high school
B's and C's.
Best subjects
History / Social Studies, Foreign Language, Physical
Struggled with...
I was horrible at English. I think it stems back to a teacher I had at [middle school name omitted] in 7th grade. She was the worst. After her I kind of just gave up on that subject until I got to college. I remember calling my father from college after getting an A on a paper I wrote. I said, "You know what Dad? English is so much easier when you actually read the book."
Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation
Life since high school
“To me, being successful means creating a life in which happiness is achieved. This is specific to each person. For me, it meant creating a life full of loving friends and family. Along with a comfortable job that is both fun and pays the bills…”
Attended college / university at
California Lutheran University 2010
Majored in
Bachelors of Arts in Music - with an emphasis in technology.
Places lived in US
California, Washington
Current occupations / past occupations
Video Editor at Bunim-Murray Productions. Right now I'm working on the 31st season of MTV's The Real World. (very riveting television...I know). But I get paid well and enjoy the work I do.
Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Honestly, not really. I mean, obviously certain basic education is needed to do the work I do. But when I look back at my education I really can't point out any specific course or class that completely prepared me for my job. I will say that my education definitely molded me into the person that I am, which really helped me to succeed in my job. Unless you going to college with a specific purpose (i.e. medicine / sciences / etc) my belief is that college has to do with preparing you for the real world and job market, and more to do with molding your personality and what kind of person you will become.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes. I went straight into college as a psychology major. But after getting a C in my first psychology class and getting an A in my first music class I decided to switch majors and pursue a degree in something that I found a lot more fun. I don't regret this decision at all. Music is a huge part of who I am and I can safely say that college was so much more fun pursuing a subject that I was genuinely passionate about.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
To me, being successful means creating a life in which happiness is achieved. This is specific to each person. For me, it meant creating a life full of loving friends and family. Along with a comfortable job that is both fun and pays the bills.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger, accolades were much more important in regards to my definition of success. Trophies, degrees, wealth, etc. It wasn't much later until I realized that accolades are just a form of bragging rights. There are plenty of people I know who are happier than I am and don't make nearly as much money or success.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
I would say finding my wife. She is so strong and so passionate about a lot of things. She definitely pushes me to be a better person. I've had a lot of success in my career and on a personal level, but they all pale in comparison to being with her.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
About 1 year ago I was playing in an adult league soccer game. The other team was playing very physically and one thing led to another and I lost my temper for a split second and took my anger out on a member of the other team. 2 days later I found out that that person had filed criminal charges against me. Now I am currently in a legal battle against the alleged charges.
This is the worst experience of my life. It just shows that 1 second or 1 bad decision can have an immense effect on your future. I learned that even the smallest of decisions can change an outcome. My advice to anyone losing their temper is to really think before you act. Just be cautious and try to understand the consequences of your actions.
An unexpected event that changed my life and how it impacted me
After college I was struggling to figure out what I was going to do with my life. There was about a full year of constantly doubting myself and wondering why I couldn't land a job even though I had a degree from a 4 year university. One night a friend from out of town was visiting and we ended up going to dinner with his brother. It so happened that his brother worked at a company that I was interested in working at. He ended up giving my resume to his H.R. department and about a month later I had a job. fast forward 5 years later I'm still at the same company. It just shows that your greatest resource in life is the connections that you make. Everyone leaves college with the expectation that they'll have a good paying job right off the bat. However, in reality that is far from the truth. The biggest thing I learned from that experience is that nothing is handed to you. You really have to work to achieve what you want in life.
This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
In order to protect anonymity, we will pass along your message and they can choose whether to respond.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Village Cheese house in Town and Country Shopping center.
