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Volume E
Susan Elmore
Owner of a public relations company
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was very young I wanted to be a Mom. Later, I wanted to be a writer or a professional singer. Broadway is my favorite.
What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?
English- being able to read and write are gifts that I use every day. Also typing! In the old days, typing wasn't required. Lots of people didn't know how to type. When I was a teenager, IBM was creating the first computers. Drama and dance gave me confidence, kept me fit, and were fun. I learned confidence and self awareness.
What do you do for fun?
The #1 thing I enjoy is being with my family. My son leaves for college in a few months, my daughter is in high school. I also garden and love eating the fabulous food my husband cooks.
Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?
Think about your personality. Do you enjoy interacting with others? Or do you prefer to do your work without a lot of human interaction? Then think about what you are passionate about and what you enjoy. Try and find a career that offers some opportunities that are a fit for your personality or your passions.
What are your favorite books to read over the summer?
Harry Potter (all of the books), The Alchemist, The Mitford Books by Jan Karon
I wanted to be a writer.
Most of what I know I learned from independent reading. What my best teachers taught me was to meet deadlines, be scrupulous in my research, write clearly, and have a passion for whatever you do.
I read, go dancing, visit with friends, listen to people tell their stories, walk my pugs.
It's important to have a marketable skill, but it's also important to like what you do. It's horrible to dread each morning because you hate your job.
I have new favorite books all the time; I keep discovering wonderful writers. Here's a list of a few absolutely fabulous books to read over the summer:
Special Topics In Calamity Physics By Marisha Pessl- Sheer genius
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime - Mark Haddon - Loved it
Christopher Paolini - Eragon - Paolini wrote the book when he was in high school, self published, got picked up by a big publisher
Lois Lowry- ANYTHING she writes is lovely, decent, good, interesting
Jacob Have I loved Katherine Paterson - ANYTHING by Paterson
Life of Pi by Yann Martel- a gem
Anything by Neil Gaiman
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - terribly painful but wonderful
The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Elizabeth Speare - Wonderful, wonderful, timeless
Anything by Meg Cabot- good writer and very popular w/ teen girls
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - Oh my gosh, is anything more delicious than this book?
Stephanie Evans
writer
Dana Ezer
Development officer for the Houston Area Womens Center
I help plan special eventslike our annual Race Against Violence 5K and the Spring Galaas well as coordinate donations to our domestic violence shelter. Our development departments fundraising efforts support the Womens Center mission of ending domestic and sexual violence.
I dreamed of being an astronaut.
Newspaper/Journalism - I was editor of my high school paper. Today I find myself designing invitations, writing copy and proofreading works for publication, and working with sponsors/underwriters much like I did as editor.
I love to travel! My next adventure will take me to California: L.A., Disneyland, and San Francisco. I can't wait!
When selecting a career, find your passion. Working in non-profit may never bring in the big bucks, but the sense of helping others fulfills me. I truly enjoy what I do, so it doesn't seem so much like work. Don't be afraid to try something new. In college, I was a mathematics and physics major for two years before switching to communications and art!
I usually go for light & fluffy reading in the summer. I bet I'll read The Carrie Diariesand maybe The Last Song.
Jennifer Evans
Public Relations, Philanthropy & Marketing Communications
I worked in public relations functions for both large and small, corporate and non-profit organizations, for many years. Two years ago, I began my service as an independent communications consultant. My goal from the beginning has been to help people and organizations that I respect, to provide the best brand ambassadorship they can to their internal and external audiences. In other words, I do a lot of reading, research, writing, talking, tweeting and most importantlylistening to others.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an English teacher, like my older sister, for several years. But, I was not inspired by any particular profession as I contemplated college. It wasnt until my freshman year of college that I discovered Speech Communications class and a wonderful professor. From there, I focused heavily in all Communications and Public Relations coursework all the way through completion of a Masters Degree.
What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?
Every class that required graded written coursework! Communicating well with others is the most important thing one does personally, professionally, collaboratively. You can be brilliantbut if you cant share it with others in a meaningful way, your gift will be compromised.
My husband, son and I love the outdoors and the water. We love to travel, swim in our pool or the ocean, fish (OK, I mostly watch), boat, hit the amusement parks, etc. We also frequent (and are members/subscribers) Houstons Museum District and Theatre District to experience the many shows and exhibitions available in this awesome city. I love to read for pleasure, and I almost always have at least two books on my nightstand at a time.
One of my professors said something similar to this in class one day, and it has been a rule to live by for me: You will spend most of your waking hours for most of your life working. And, sometimes, it rains on the weekends. Find something you have a natural proclivity for, pursue it academically and practically and you will find both pleasure and success. Perhaps not riches or fame, but wouldnt you rather spend most of your waking hours for most of your life doing something you like?
Your favorite book to read over the summer?
A few of the classics I have loved and re-read frequently: The Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Portrait of a Lady, Little Women, Lonesome Dove, anything from Sir William Shakespeare. Co-reading with my son: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, The Lightning Thief& any Magic Tree House chapter book. Popular recent guilty pleasures: Eat, Pray, Love, The Last Song, Twilight, The Shack.
Elyse Early
I change brains everyday for a living! I teach English and Fencing (after school) to middle school students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, autism and ADD/ADHD. All kids love to learn and I enjoy working with students that think and learn differently. They keep me on my toes.
“Without education we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.”
- G K Chesterton
I have been a storyteller since I learned how to talk. According to my 3rd grade journal, I've wanted to be a writer since at least age 7. I also used to love playing school and reading to my younger sister. It's no surprise that my love of reading and writing was perfect for me to teach and inspire kids to love reading and writing.
I was an English, Spanish major with a minor in International Studies. I'd say that the reading and analysis of literature, culture and philosophy that I did for all of these classes has helped me analyze how kids learn, to respect those who learn differently, and to figure out the best way to teach them.
I love to curl up with a good book or watch movies at home, but I also enjoy hiking & camping in the great outdoors, cooking dinner with family and friends, and listening to music or going to concerts.
Follow your heart! It's also never too late to change your mind, switch careers and try something new. Always do what you love!
When I was a teen, I loved reading The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. She wrote about girls that were heroes and could lead armies and save entire kingdoms. I re-read it every summer. I still love young adult literature and fiction. As an adult, a book I'd re-read over the summer would be Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
A doctor
English
Movies, gardening, reading
I loved planning events in high school but didn't know I could make a career out of it, so I went the medical school route. It wasnt until 10 years later that I decided to follow my true passion. My biggest tip is see where your passion lies and follow that yellow brick road.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Debbie Elias
CSEP, CMP
Planning the events of a lifetime...
www.eliasevents.com / www.eliasevents.blogspot.com
Houston Business Journal Top Event Planner
2010 Event Planner of the Year Finalist, Gala Award Nominee
Special Event Magazine, Texas Meeting and Events Magazine Advisory Board Member
An Award-Winning Event Planning Company 2004-2009 Crystal Icon, 2008, 2006 Texas Star and 2005 ISES Esprit
