You never know what's around the corner!
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1970s
Overall high school experience
7/10. Had some truly great teachers, and I loved the classwork, but high school social life is never easy.
Grades in high school
Mostly A's
Favorite subjects
English, History / Social Studies, Foreign Language, Science
Struggled with...
Math and physics, because they were taught at a level that didn't seem to have a connection to any present or future use.
Favorite extracurricular
Music
Life since high school
“My occupational trajectory has reliably changed about every 2 years. :) This used to be a major minus when potential employers reviewed my resume, but these days it matters less. Skills, not history. And skills can be learned any time, all the time!”
Attended college / university at
UC Berkeley
Majored in
English
Post-graduate education or training
MFA, SFSU, Cinema (Film production and Theory)
Places lived in US
California, Oregon
Places lived outside the US
England
Current occupations / past occupations
I've worked as an editor, researcher, writer, lecturer, tutor, film-video-audiobook producer and editor, theatrical costumer and seamstress, gardener and horticultural assessor, and many other jobs too numerous to mention.
Industries I've worked in
- Wholesale Trade
- Retail Trade
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
- Educational Services
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
- Nonprofit
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
My high school education prepared me for future work in that it exposed me to a few smart, engaged, committed teachers who made a huge impact on me as individuals, that's all.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
My occupational trajectory has reliably changed about every 2 years. :) This used to be a major minus when potential employers reviewed my resume, but these days it matters less. Skills, not history. And skills can be learned any time, all the time!
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Just staying alive...and being patient and kind, no matter the circumstances.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Success used to mean ongoing access to a cornucopia of interesting possibilities; now it means making it through another day with acceptance, kindness, and understanding.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
My greatest accomplishment in life has been protecting and nurturing the animals in my care. Constant vigilance in the service of the welfare of animals has taught me love, humility, awareness, and an abiding belief that human beings are bereft without connection to the nature of which we are a part.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
My biggest regret is not understanding that simply by being a citizen of the United States, I have a place in forming its policies. It has taken me until my 50s to begin to undertake advocacy in an activist role.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
Serious health challenges in my family of origin changed my trajectory. You never know what's around the corner. Be ready to let go of everything you've planned, and find the inner resources to ride the waves as they surround you.
This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
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My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Enid Pearson Arastradero Preserve
