Caution: Advice from the ashes
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
2010s
Overall high school experience
3/10
Grades in high school
B's and C's. Started out with A's and B's but due to the circumstances they dropped till my senior year.
Favorite subjects
Computer Science / Engineering / Technical, History / Social Studies, English, Visual Arts
Struggled with...
CHEMISTRY! haha I seriously tried. I took it 3 times and tried 2 tutors....seriously it's just not for some people
Favorite extracurricular
Friends
Life since high school
“Honestly I think my biggest accomplishment to date would be being brave enough to seek out help from the resources I had around me when I needed it, and continuing to do so when I still need to. I learned that there is no one who can tell you what is best for you.”
Attended college / university at
Went to foothill, didn't know what I wanted yet so I dropped out and worked full time till I went back to a vocational school for something I'm passionate about.
Places lived in US
California
Current occupations / past occupations
retail, foodservice
Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Management
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Not really, most of the work I've done whether career related or not trained me or I learned through experience over time
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
It changed a couple times. Even when your passionate about something, you'll question yourself through it anyway.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Doing something that brings you the knowledge and happiness you seek out of your life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Different difficult events in my life and also getting out of high school. Once I was exposed to a more diverse people and a life that's not scheduled into subjects I grew and changed as a person a lot faster than I expected.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Honestly I think my biggest accomplishment to date would be being brave enough to seek out help from the resources I had around me when I needed it, and continuing to do so when I still need to. I learned that there is no one who can tell you what is best for you. You know yourself best, so take what everyone says with a grain of salt and do what you feel is right. You shouldn't have to apologize to anyone for having a different idea of whats best for you and I think that is an idea that takes a while to set in as you get older and start doing more on your own.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I think the biggest event that changed my life was the way I lost my virginity. During my high school experience someone I dated took advantage of our relationship and forced himself on me while I was asleep. This caused a very negative domino effect in my life that included the very hard decision of completing or ending the resulting pregnancy. The emotions stemming from these events were some of the hardest I have ever had to deal with. I felt it in every respect of my life whether it was at home or at school. It impacted me in every sense really. My family wasn't as open of a household as it is today, which made my experience even harder. I turned to my best friend and a year or so later to the schools adolescent counseling services for help. The counselor I was placed with is someone I hold in high regard even today. Without her help I wouldn't have had the tools to deal with what happened to me, especially being isolated from my family the way I was. I wanted to share this private experience because not all issues students have in high school are actually school related, but these other issues get amplified by the environment we are in on a daily basis. Surprisingly though, I don't think most students are even aware of the adolescent counseling services available and sadly not everyone is placed with a very helpful counselor. If this is the case, DON'T GIVE UP. There are people you just don't click with or who can't relate and even A-holes who will make you feel discouraged even when their PHD is in helping others. Brush it off and try someone else, it takes time but it is worth it when you find the support you are looking for.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Just remember to hang in there. Take it from someone who's had to rebuild themselves multiple times to stay sane and survive in this world, growing up in Palo Alto is harder than most people think but whether you decide to stay or leave, after high school it does actually get better.
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
Jerry Bowden Park :)
