Made all the "wrong" choices, still came out OK
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1990s
Overall high school experience
3/10. I wanted to study the arts; mostly photography, graphic design, painting, ceramics, printmaking, etc... At the time my school was focused on math and science, there were not a lot of teachers or options. I felt like I never fit in.
Grades in high school
A's and B's
Favorite subjects
History / Social Studies, Science, Visual Arts
Struggled with...
Math, Foreign Language
Favorite extracurricular
Arts / Crafts
Life since high school
“I have been able to work with people, (many that have little or no opportunity early on) and see them blossom into self sufficient people that give back to the community. ”
Attended college / university at
I started at a State University and then transfered to Rhode Island School of Design.
Post-graduate education or training
I took technical classes at CCSF.
Places lived in US
California, Rhode Island
Places lived outside the US
Italy
Current occupations / past occupations
User Experience Design, Web Design, Painting, Volunteer at the local Homeless Service Center
Industries I've worked in
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
No.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes, it has greatly changed but so have I.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Being able to positively impact people's lives.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger I wanted to be able to control more of my path. I had very different goals at that time in my life - most of which involved non-sustainable career paths (like the arts).
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
I have been able to work with people, (many that have little or no opportunity early on) and see them blossom into self sufficient people that give back to the community.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I spend some time thinking I was special, letting my ego go crazy. Thinking I had more talent and drive than skill.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
When I was 8 years old my parents divorced. At the time it was a relief to no longer have to deal with the fighting, they were both very unhappy at the end. But in retrospect I think this event changed the course of my life in many other ways. I grew up as a only child in a single parent household. My mom was self employed and worked long hours, not many of my peers had similar childhoods.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Know Knew Books on California Ave. [now closed]
