Single dad of a teenager juggling career, music, and fatherhood
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1970s
Overall high school experience
5/10
Grades in high school
B's and C's
Favorite subjects
Foreign Language
Struggled with...
Math
Favorite extracurricular
Music
Life since high school
“For me, success is being able to take care of your family, if you choose to have one, and living within your means, whatever they are.”
Attended college / university at
I went to University Of New Mexico for two years, and then went to Foothill College for two years, and became a respiratory therapist
Places lived in US
Michigan, New Mexico
Current occupations / past occupations
I have been a respirarory therapist for 26 years, and prior to that I was an EMT. I have continued to also work as a musician steadily, and six years ago, become an adoptive single parent.
Industries I've worked in
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
My first two years of college were sort of a waste of time, even though I enjoyed myself. My time at foothill was more vocational, and that prepared me for a long career.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
I have somewhat hit a ceiling in my career, but it is fairly stable and pays well. At this point in my life, it is a bit too late to start over.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Coming from an environment that puts a high value on traditional ideas of financial/professional success, I've realized that there are many paths to, and many definitions of success. For me, success is being able to take care of your family, if you choose to have one, and living within your means, whatever they are.
My definition of success has changed over time.
"stuff" is less important to me
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
adopting a son
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
not traveling as much as I should have when I had the means
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My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Foothill Park
