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Volume H
Rosi Hernandez
Vice President of Market Development
What did you want to be when you grew up?
- I wanted to be an ace newspaper reporter (not TV, but print)... I don't know why, but I always found it fascinating to be the one who broke an exciting story!
What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?
- I would have to say all my writing courses at Syracuse University's Newhouse School. From newspaper writing and editing, to magazine feature and creative writing, these gave me the base to communicate effectively in the written form. I think with the advent of email and texting, the art of writing has been lost...
What do you do for fun?
- Spend as much time as possible with my husband of 18 years, Jorge Luis, and with our 3-year-old daughter, Andrea Victoria. We love to travel together, from Disney World, to NYC, even to Italy - we take her on a lot of trips!
Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?
- Do something that fills you with passion. If it doesn't move you, you will count the hours in the day. If you love your career, the days will seem so short, even when you work long hours like I do in baseball!
Your favorite book to read over the summer?
- I don't have an absolute favorite book for the summer, I like to mix it up. I'm just starting on Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. Loving it!!!
Melissa Houser
Non-profit fundraising & special events planner
Dont limit yourself to whats in your neighborhood. Be confident in yourself and explore new things. Meet new people, go to new places, see new things. The world is an amazing place. Get out there and discover who you really are as a woman. Never be afraid to be yourself.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I loved looking at the stars, and the thought of being able to travel into space to explore new planets was always fascinating.
What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?
Writing is a large part of what I do, so I would have to say that all the writing, English, Language Arts and grammar classes really helped build the foundation of my love for writing.
I love going to museums, running with my dog, Major, spending time with my family, and in the fall I love going back to Texas A&M and watching the Aggies play football.
Be true to yourself. Find your passion and stick with it. Don't let others sway you from your goals. You know yourself better than anyone else. Listen to your heart, and it will lead you in the right direction.
What are your favorite books to read over the summer?
I love reading books that have a historical basis, for example, Gone With the Wind. I love the drama and the characters and the fact that it is written during the Civil War. I love studying the different wars throughout history.
Carol Hopkins
Communications Specialist for the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University
I was never sure what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I knew I enjoyed writing and I was good at it!
English, of course! I was lucky to have many good English teachers along the way. I had some bad ones, too, but you learn life lessons from the bad ones! They are a blessing in disguise.
I enjoy design and architecture so I love looking at houses and buildings and their interiors everywhere I go. It's very intriguing. I also love cooking for my family and eating with them as we share good conversation.
Someone very close to me taught me something he had been taught at a young age --- "manage the outcome." That means when you figure out what it is you want to do, you must do whatever it takes to reach that goal. You have the power. Don't rely on anyone else to do it for you. Manage your outcome!
I like to sit in a quiet place and read poetry, especially Emily Dickinson and Margaret Atwood.
Ann Herlocher
Communications Manager for The YMCA of Greater Houston
I manage the overall public image for our organization through external communication. I do a lot of writing, which I absolutely love.
I still dont know what I want to be when I grow up, but when I was younger and depending on the day, a marine biologist or a pastry chef.
One of the most underestimated classes that has stuck with me is typing and, of course, English!
I love spending time with family and friends and most importantly my husband and our black lab puppy, Mia. I also enjoy gardening, baking, knitting and reading.
Pick something you love and do it well. It doesnt have to be the highest paying or the most glamorous. If you love it and you enjoy waking up every day for work, you have made the right choice. And always believe in your future and know that if you put your mind to it, you have the capacity to do anything your heart desires.
The summer is a great time to pick some easy-reads. I love reading fun, light books while sitting near the pool or beach. My favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird, Time Travelers Wife and Water for Elephants. As a kid, I loved anything by Judy Blume and The Babysitters Club series. I always had my nose in a book!
Cindy Harreld
President and CEO of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
I wanted to be a homemaking teacher and a mom.
I was in a work/school co-op in high school called Home Economics Cooperative Education. It was a school half day and work half day program that gave me a good foundation and excellent work ethic. I was also an officer in the program that helped with leadership and organization skills.
I like to scrapbook, travel, go sailing and spend time with my friends.
Volunteer your time for an organization or a church it might help you find out your passion and where your career path may lead.
Some of my favorite books to read when in was growing up were the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I loved to find out what Laura was going to get into next.
Stephanie Horner
P.R./New Media Intern
I am a full-time college student at Texas Tech University majoring in Public Relations with minors in Business and English.
*Singer or travel agent
*English
*Read, work-out, watch movies, shop!
*Research many different careers and understand what goes into each and the benefits you may receive. Also try to imagine yourself in that job position and if you would like the day-to-day responsibilities because this will be very important to your future happiness throughout your career.
*Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
Diplomat in the foreign service (by high school)
The sciences are vital to understanding the world and I think are absolutely vital in education, but history and perhaps economics has the most relevance to my current position.
Sports and reading. I also really enjoy debating issues that I've recently read about.
Do what you love and are really interested in. You have to want to get up and go to work every day and make a difference, which you can only do if you love the subject matter. Think outside the box for jobs - there are so many jobs that I've come across that I never knew existed as I was choosing my career path.
No specific books come to mind, but we had a program called "Book It" at my elementary/middle schools where in return for reading X number or books, we got prizes (and pizzas). I read a lot of different books that I may not have otherwise read through this program.
Nadia Heffernan
Exploration Business Advisor - Europe & Middle East
I'm a negotiator / attorney for an oil company.
Pat Blair HuntingtonI am living in Austin and helping Houston clients who plan to find a home on Lake Travis or in the Austin, Texas area. I live in Houston part time at the Houstonian.
Pat Blair Huntington
I am living in Austin and helping Houston clients who plan to find a home on Lake Travis or in the Austin, Texas area. I live in Houston part time at the Houstonian.
I started writing the George Bush at the United Nations
when I was eight so I think politics was important to me.
Every course helps you learn to think in different ways but I really enjoyed courses that forced me to create or to develop a project. I always wanted to know
"why" I was learning something.
I love to travel the world and to play with my grandkids.
Jobs require you be on time, be willing to learn and to have a great attitude. If you complete school, you have the brain power.
This summer I am spending most of my time learning how to use the computer for business but I read as many articles as I can on politics. I think it is important to stay educated about the freedoms you can lose. My travels let me see life that I don't want for my grandkids.
Kelly Hadley
Currently I do event planning, operations management, menu development and some restaurant design for 2 restaurants, catering company and lounge. I have a lot of flexibility in my schedule and the position allows me to utilize my creativity in art and food and my gift of communication with people.
Try out all things, you never know what you do or dont like until you give it fair try. Also always push your self to tackle whatever obstacle lies in your way of what you want to accomplish. There is always a way to achieve any dream.
What did you want to be when you grew up?When I was in Jr. High School and in High School I wanted to own my own business. I was completely inspired with the idea of pursuing my love of creativity in art and food and my gift of gab some how. I wanted to have control of my future and make sure it included the things important to me. What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?I would have to say Speech, English and Art really helped with being able to articulate my thoughts to large groups of people literally and visually.What do you do for fun?I really enjoy cooking, going to art and live music show along with summer festivals, visiting the beach and entertaining guests at my home.Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?The best advice I got was stay true to what your heart enjoys. Pick a career that will make you happy and it wont really feel like work.Your favorite book to read over the summer? David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy
When I was in Jr. High School and in High School I wanted to own my own business. I was completely inspired with the idea of pursuing my love of creativity in art and food and my gift of gab some how. I wanted to have control of my future and make sure it included the things important to me.
I would have to say Speech, English and Art really helped with being able to articulate my thoughts to large groups of people literally and visually.
I really enjoy cooking, going to art and live music show along with summer festivals, visiting the beach and entertaining guests at my home.
The best advice I got was stay true to what your heart enjoys. Pick a career that will make you happy and it wont really feel like work.
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy
Marisa Hegyesi
Plant Manager
I work for a Fortune 300 company that has about 14,000 employees worldwide. My position is responsible for safely leading the plant to achieve company goals, efficiently operate, maintain company assets, manage and develop personnel to facilitate company growth and safeguard our core values. I have the overall responsibility and accountability for all aspects of safety, plant operations, operations staff management, compliance and quality for a scrap metal recycling.
What did you want to be when you grew up?When I was growing up, I wanted to be an Elementary School Teacher. However, after doing my student teaching, I decided to pursue a different career. What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?This is a tough question. I use a little of everything marketing, math, science, and chemistry.What do you do for fun?For fun, I enjoy sailing, gardening, traveling and reading.Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?Select a career that you will truly enjoy. Do not work at a job just because it pays well, do something that you enjoy then it wont feel like work.Your favorite book to read over the summer?I've read Clive Cussler's Plaque Ship and Medusa. I plan on reading several more of his novels before the end of summer.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be an Elementary School Teacher. However, after doing my student teaching, I decided to pursue a different career.
This is a tough question. I use a little of everything marketing, math, science, and chemistry.
For fun, I enjoy sailing, gardening, traveling and reading.
Select a career that you will truly enjoy. Do not work at a job just because it pays well, do something that you enjoy then it wont feel like work.
I've read Clive Cussler's Plaque Ship and Medusa. I plan on reading several more of his novels before the end of summer.
