Find your park
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1990s
Overall high school experience
7/10. It was fine. Swimming with my club team was the best part. The friends I had there we a wonderful family and the experience has stayed with me throughout my life.
Grades in high school
A's and B's
Favorite subjects
English, Math
Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation
Life since high school
“After college I did an internship with the National Park Service. It sounded like a cool opportunity and I gave it a try. That experience helped change the direction of my career.”
Attended college / university at
UC San Diego
Majored in
Major: Urban Studies and Planning
Minor: Art
Post-graduate education or training
I went back to grad school 5 years after I graduated from UCSD. I got a MS in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Places lived in US
Colorado, Montana
Current occupations / past occupations
National Park Service Education Specialist
I also worked for state parks
Industries I've worked in
- Public Administration (e.g. Government, Police, Judicial, etc.)
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
My masters did. I went back to school because I knew what I wanted to do and how the degree would get me there
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes. After college I did an internship with the National Park Service. It sounded like a cool opportunity and I gave it a try. That experience helped change the direction of my career.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Finding your own version of happiness. Balancing commitments to work, family, and self without giving too much of oneself to any one thing.
My definition of success has and has not changed over time.
Yes and no. I think I've felt that feeling good about the work that I do and the contribution I make is important; it's just the focus of my work has changed. Creating a happy family and home life has been paramount and more than work, that is the success that I get most joy from.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
A happy family. It takes commitment.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I don't know. There are lots of little ones along the way.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I'm happy. I am proud of the work that I do and the family and life that I've created. I feel unbelievably successful in my life.
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My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Rinconada pool
