Just because you live in Palo Alto, doesn't mean you have to be the next Steve Jobs.
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
2000s
Overall high school experience
9/10. I loved [high school name omitted]. My parents did a great job of not pressuring me. They knew I was artistic, in theatre, and never once told me I had to get straight A's. I got a couple C's in math and science throughout high school and they knew that was how my brain worked. I really liked my friend group, my activities, and the school spirit.
Grades in high school
A's and B's
Favorite subjects
English, Performing Arts, Visual Arts
Struggled with...
Math and science.
Favorite extracurricular
Performance Art
Life since high school
“What I do literally gives me butterflies in my stomach. I may not be making money yet, but that’s not my first priority. I live for it.”
Attended college / university at
University of San Francisco
Majored in
Performing Arts and Social Justice with an emphasis in Theatre
Post-graduate education or training
Acting classes in Los Angeles
Places lived in US
California
Places lived outside the US
Florence, Italy for 6 months.
Current occupations / past occupations
Actress/writer/producer/director in Los Angeles. I have two day jobs as a receptionist at a fitness studio and a nanny.
Industries I've worked in
- Educational Services
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes and no. My education gave me tools, advice, and material to know how to navigate being a motivated artist, but I have learned the most from graduating and living and working in Los Angeles.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
No, I've always known I wanted to be in the arts.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Being in an industry that you as passionate about and excited to be involved in.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Growing up in Palo Alto, I associated success with money. Now I associate it with happiness. If you are getting up for a job you hate everyday, where you are uninspired, what is the point? What I do literally gives me butterflies in my stomach. I may not be making money yet, but that's not my first priority. I live for it.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Two seasons of my web series just got picked up by my favorite actress's production company. We waited for three years for anyone to notice our series and pitch it to networks and now that dream is a reality! I learned to have patience, determination, and surround myself with positive, creative, and driven people, especially young women.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I try to live my life without regrets, because it is rather pointless to sit with that negativity. However, I do wish that I had done more with my summers in high school and college. That is the time to travel, get internships, apply for jobs, and keep exploring what you want to do. I learned to not be scared of the unknown and to say "Yes" to as many opportunities as you possibly can!
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I really thought I was going to college in Los Angeles, at a small school in a college town. However, going to college in the middle of San Francisco was one of the biggest challenges, yet amazing things that ever happened to me. I learned so much about what it means to be in a city, the culture, the people, and growing up outside a bubble without a that college town comfort.
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
Stanford Shopping Center
