Success with a hiccup - struggling with mental illness

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My time in high school

Attended high school in the
2000s

Overall high school experience
6/10

Grades in high school
A's and B's

 

Favorite subjects
English, Visual Arts

Struggled with...
Math and Science. I never checked my work, and was terrible at arithmetic, so I always got points off for not having the final answer correct, and rarely got along with my teachers. My senior year I had amazing teachers in Calculus and in Biology, and ended up being a Math/Biology double major in college.

Favorite extracurricular
Stage Tech

Life since high school

“I was finally diagnosed with PTSD in 2013, although I’d been struggling with it all through college. I stopped looking for a “career” job, took on low stress work as a nanny, attended therapy, and focused on building my friendships and my community. I’m better now, 3 years later, and consider that time to have been extremely valuable to my growth and success that I’ve achieved since. ”

Attended college / university at
University of California, Santa Cruz

Majored in
B.A. Mathematics / B.S. Molecular Biology

Post-graduate education or training
Will be attending Boston University in the fall for a Master's in Biomedical Engineering

Places lived in US
California

Current occupations / past occupations
Nanny
Research Assistant
Bioinformatics
Scientist
Dancer
Dance Venue Organizer

Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
- Nonprofit
- Caretaker/Nanny

Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Somewhat. It was enough to get me in the door, but I learned most things on the job.

Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
I entered college as an English major, and ended up becoming interested in Neuroengineering. My trajectory hasn't changed much since, though I work in Bioinformatics for the time being and really enjoy it.

A little introspection...

To me, being successful means...
Being happy, waking up each morning knowing you are loved and that everything will be OK, no matter what happens.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I realized that what I do for work has much less importance in life than who I am as a person. 

An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I was finally diagnosed with PTSD in 2013, although I'd been struggling with it all through college. I stopped looking for a "career" job, took on low stress work as a nanny, attended therapy, and focused on building my friendships and my community. I'm better now, 3 years later, and consider that time to have been extremely valuable to my growth and success that I've achieved since. 

Anything else you'd like to share?
I got my first job as a fluke, and through knowing the right person.

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