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Swell
Reads
Volume J
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?When I was a sophomore in high school I took my first Biology class and from that point forward I was focused on becoming a marine biologist. I majored in Aquatic Biology in college and then did research in a lab and ended up being published in a leading scientific journal. Then I decided I wanted to do something else for a career. I went into sales.What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?While I was in the scientific community I drew upon many of the courses I had taken in college like Organic Chemistry and Statistics. Since my college curriculum was so focused on classes in the math and science areas, I'm not sure which of them has really supported my career in Sales and Management. What I would say is that these courses really made you think, use logic to solve problems and work together to achieve a result. Those three things are critical to success in whatever field you choose.What do you do for fun?I love to go out into my workshop and build things!! Sometimes I work with wood - my last two projects were an outside bench for the patio and a really cool 3 foot long candle holder.Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?Do what you love! You'll spend a good portion of your life working, so be sure you are finding the joy in that work every day!!What are your favorite books to read over the summer?I love to read crime fiction and horror books. I also enjoy historical fiction.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a sophomore in high school I took my first Biology class and from that point forward I was focused on becoming a marine biologist. I majored in Aquatic Biology in college and then did research in a lab and ended up being published in a leading scientific journal. Then I decided I wanted to do something else for a career. I went into sales.
What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?
While I was in the scientific community I drew upon many of the courses I had taken in college like Organic Chemistry and Statistics. Since my college curriculum was so focused on classes in the math and science areas, I'm not sure which of them has really supported my career in Sales and Management. What I would say is that these courses really made you think, use logic to solve problems and work together to achieve a result. Those three things are critical to success in whatever field you choose.
What do you do for fun?
I love to go out into my workshop and build things!! Sometimes I work with wood - my last two projects were an outside bench for the patio and a really cool 3 foot long candle holder.
Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?
Do what you love! You'll spend a good portion of your life working, so be sure you are finding the joy in that work every day!!
What are your favorite books to read over the summer?
I love to read crime fiction and horror books. I also enjoy historical fiction.
Cindy Jennings
Business Development Director
In my current role, I develop and deliver training to sales and service professionals. I work in the field with our staff to support their efforts to bring in new business as well as develop service plans to help our customers accomplish their objectives.
PhD Candidate and Researcher
Raven Jones
Currently, I am a PhD candidate and researcher. I am studying Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies as well as Educational Psychology. My life mission is to make quality education accessible to all and to help todays students realize how valuable they are, and that they can contribute greatly to a global community.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a little girl, my two favorite games to play were school, and "business"...I would pretend to be a teacher, making lesson plans, and teaching my dolls. I also played store; making prices, charts, stuff like that.
What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?
I loved my core classes in high school that gave me a broad range of knowledge and catapulted my desire to learn.
Duh, reading of course! I also study ballet, different languages, and yoga.
Find something you enjoy and/or are good at, and you will never have to "work" a day in your life.
Your favorite book to read over the summer?
Your favorite book to read over the summer
I usually pick a classic, like a book of poems, or something by Charlotte Bronte to read at the beginning of summer...then a romance novels (in my hammock!)
Nina Jackson
Director of Marketing & Public Relations for SMG-Reliant Park
What did you want to be when you grew up?When I was young I wanted to be a nurse that got to hold all of the newborn babies, so a neonatal nurse. That lasted until I took biology and realized that "blood" could be involved.What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?English, being effective with oral and written communication is very important. Being able to speak and write grammatically correct is instrumental in my job. Also math, I have to deal with budgets, that's where the math comes in handy as well as the accounting courses I took in college.What do you do for fun?My hobbies are crocheting, knitting and reading. I also like to travel.Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?When you are looking for a career first make a list of the things that you like to do or that you have a passion for. Then take a look at your list and research job descriptions to find a fit. It might also be helpful to talk over your interests with parent(s) or a school counselor.Your favorite book to read over the summer? Anything on the top 10 New York Best Seller list, I also like to incorporate some "Chicken Soup for the Soul".
When I was young I wanted to be a nurse that got to hold all of the newborn babies, so a neonatal nurse. That lasted until I took biology and realized that "blood" could be involved.
English, being effective with oral and written communication is very important. Being able to speak and write grammatically correct is instrumental in my job. Also math, I have to deal with budgets, that's where the math comes in handy as well as the accounting courses I took in college.
My hobbies are crocheting, knitting and reading. I also like to travel.
When you are looking for a career first make a list of the things that you like to do or that you have a passion for. Then take a look at your list and research job descriptions to find a fit. It might also be helpful to talk over your interests with parent(s) or a school counselor.
Anything on the top 10 New York Best Seller list, I also like to incorporate some "Chicken Soup for the Soul".
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?I always wanted to be a biologist, but somewhere along the line, I changed my mind.What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?English!!What do you do for fun?Host dinner parties, listen to live music, and read.Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?Think about what you love to do, and figure out how you can do it forever.What are your favorite books to read over the summer?Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
I always wanted to be a biologist, but somewhere along the line, I changed my mind.
English!!
Host dinner parties, listen to live music, and read.
Think about what you love to do, and figure out how you can do it forever.
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Ann Criner
Director of Development for Houston READ Commission
Perri D'Armond
Vice President of Government Relations for the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?A veterinarian at first, but then settled on becoming a teacherWhat was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?Typing! It is one skill that I literally use every day.What do you do for fun?I love to read a good book where I can just lose myself in a different place or time. Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?If you really think you want to be a vet (or teacher or whatever), visit one, and see if you can do an internship or spend some time with them during a regular day to find out what its really like to hold that position. You might love it or find out that it really isn't for you. Ask lots of questions. Remember that a positive attitude is your best asset. What are your favorite books to read over the summer?During the summer, I like to read fun stuff: romance novels, thrillers, science fiction, and cookbooks. I love to cook, and some cookbooks have such great history in them. I don't think I have a single favorite, but if I had to choose, it would probably be something by Nora Roberts
A veterinarian at first, but then settled on becoming a teacher
Typing! It is one skill that I literally use every day.
I love to read a good book where I can just lose myself in a different place or time.
If you really think you want to be a vet (or teacher or whatever), visit one, and see if you can do an internship or spend some time with them during a regular day to find out what its really like to hold that position. You might love it or find out that it really isn't for you. Ask lots of questions. Remember that a positive attitude is your best asset.
During the summer, I like to read fun stuff: romance novels, thrillers, science fiction, and cookbooks. I love to cook, and some cookbooks have such great history in them. I don't think I have a single favorite, but if I had to choose, it would probably be something by Nora Roberts
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?A clinical child psychologistWhat was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?Without question, Major Works English in 11th and 12th grade at Bellaire HS, taught by the incredible Shirley Wiley. She taught me to think.What do you do for fun?Organic gardening at our place in Central Texas. Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?Follow your passion. I have been passionate about the performing arts for many, many years. I put that to work every day here at Miller Outdoor Theatre.What are your favorite books to read over the summer?Gone with the Wind
A clinical child psychologist
Without question, Major Works English in 11th and 12th grade at Bellaire HS, taught by the incredible Shirley Wiley. She taught me to think.
Organic gardening at our place in Central Texas.
Follow your passion. I have been passionate about the performing arts for many, many years. I put that to work every day here at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Gone with the Wind
Cissy Segall Davis
Managing Director of
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Robin Cavanaugh
Marketing and Events Consultant
Ask for help when you need it, especially if you don't understand something.People always like to help others when asked. Always treat everyone the way you want to be treated. Be true to you, but do no burn a bridge.Every experience leads you to the next step in your journey.Don't discount any job you hold. Always do your best and learn from your mistakes.
Ask for help when you need it, especially if you don't understand something.
People always like to help others when asked.
Always treat everyone the way you want to be treated. Be true to you, but do no burn a bridge.
Every experience leads you to the next step in your journey.
Don't discount any job you hold.
Always do your best and learn from your mistakes.
An Anesthesiologist
English
Exercise, cooking, travel, and spend time with friends and family.
Research the career you are considering and interview people in those fields. It is important to truly understand as much as you can about a career before spending the time and money pursuing a degree that gets you to your goal. It is good to volunteer to work at careers you are considering to determine if your choice is right for you. I also recommend you honestly review your strengths and weaknesses to determine if you have the innate skills to go the distance. Ask for help, counseling, guidance and you will receive it.
My summer reads include classics like Pride and Prejudice.
Event & Wedding Planner
Therese Cole
What did you want to be when you grew up?I always thought I would be an accountant, I loved math. Now I use my math skills to order items, to keep inventory and to do cost analysis for events.What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?Home EconomicsWhat do you do for fun?Entertain friends and familyDo you have any hints for girls as they select a career?Be sure it is something that you really like to do and then strive to become the best in your field. Never stop learning and then sharing your knowledge.Your favorite book to read over the summer? Danielle Steele - any romance novel.
I always thought I would be an accountant, I loved math. Now I use my math skills to order items, to keep inventory and to do cost analysis for events.
Home Economics
Entertain friends and family
Be sure it is something that you really like to do and then strive to become the best in your field. Never stop learning and then sharing your knowledge.
Danielle Steele - any romance novel.
What did you want to be when you grew up?A fighter pilotWhat was the best course in school you took that helps you today?My English classes were probably the most beneficial because they taught me how to communicate by reading and writing effectively.What do you do for fun?I like to play with my daughter, Lauren, drink wine, read books, travel and go on long walks.Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?It is okay to not know what you want to do when you get older. Keep trying out new things and keep an open mind. You may have to eliminate a lot of things you dont like before you find what you do.Your favorite book to read over the summer?Right now I am reading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and I am loving it!
A fighter pilot
My English classes were probably the most beneficial because they taught me how to communicate by reading and writing effectively.
I like to play with my daughter, Lauren, drink wine, read books, travel and go on long walks.
It is okay to not know what you want to do when you get older. Keep trying out new things and keep an open mind. You may have to eliminate a lot of things you dont like before you find what you do.
Right now I am reading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and I am loving it!
Kelly Peterson Cliburn
Senior Associate Director of Development for Texas Children's Hospital
Kelly Peterson Cliburn and daughter Lauren
