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Volume P
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
an Artist and Teacher
What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?
Visual Communications helped me learn how to speak to groups of people in a non-technical casual format that they can relate to. Visual learners always appreciate a image showing what you are trying to convey.
All my artistic classes really helped me learn how to think outside of the box and be more creative in finding solutions to problems.
Psychology was great for learns about the different types of personalities and what drives people to do what they do. This is critical when performing any job in a Sales capacity.
What do you do for fun?
Anything creative! Decorate, construction, draw. Also spend lots of time with my husband and our dog Maxi.
Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?
Pick something that is both fun and challenging so you dont get board... something that you love to do! Make sure it taps into your personal strengths. If you dont love numbers, dont pick a job where you have to work with them all day. If you are creative, dont pick a job that doesnt allow you to use those creative juices.
What are your favorite books to read over the summer?
I love to ready technical books or How To books. I am creative so I enjoy learning new things constantly.
Julia Promnitz
Michele Patrick
Mosaic Artist
What did you want to be when you grew up?
a clothing designer
What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?
art
art!
Don't listen to anyone when selecting a career. Follow your heart.
Your favorite book to read over the summer?
Yesterday I ordered Making Concrete Garden Ornaments. When I have money to spend, I always spend it on books!
Andrea Pape
Production Director at America’s oldest continuously published newspaper
I have been working at newspapers on the production (mechanical) side of the business since graduating from college 29 years ago. Most newspapers are produced at night so I spend a lot of time at work during the night operation. A lot of the most interesting and exciting things happen at night at a newspaper.
Of all the friendships I formed over the years, the most important and longest lasting are the ones made and developed during my formative years. Never forget your friends or those who have been kind to you. Immediately forget those who are mean or unfriendly, as– they are not worth the time or effort.
At various stages I had hoped to be many things. Among them were photographer, airline pilot, private detective and marine biologist.
It is difficult to say one course was best because so much of the early education was essential to progressing through the rest of my education and making it easier to learn and absorb more of what was being taught, but my favorite course was a photography course I took in high school. The course that contributed the best analytical skills for what I do today was a photographic science course I took in college.
I do many things for fun, but I sail more than any other activity and it is both fun and relaxing. I also raise dogs, read, ski, cook and have a small business that I operate in off hours.
It is important to choose something that will have at least a component or connection to something you enjoy doing. A career should be another opportunity to learn and grow personally so keep that in mind as you are selecting a career path.
I love murder mysteries. The Spencer novels by Robert Parker are great. I am currently reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo that I am enjoying and will look to read the author’s other two novels during the summer.
Pediatrician
Mass communications, marketing and speech.
I hang out with my family, run, sew, and spend time outside with my kids.
Pick what you love and go with it. You may change your mind half-way to your goal and that is okay! No one ever said you have to pick one career for the rest of your life!
I LOVE romance novels by Nora Roberts.
Nicole Phillips
Community Relations Specialist
I work to promote The Greensheet in the Dallas/Fort Worth communities through various marketing techniques. I conduct free YouthScoop writing workshops to students in and around the Metroplex and publish their work in The Grensheet. I work with dozens of community partners at events to market The Greensheet.
Laura Pennino
CEO, Pennino and Partners –& Society editor and public relations consultant for Houston-based Health & Fitness Sports Magazine
Writer (always) and a veterinarian (aged 9 to 17 – changed my mind at 17; did not want to be in college for as many years as Vet School would require given that the only way for me to attend college was working part-time while in school and having scholarships). I was second to youngest of five kids and the first to complete a college degree (did it in 3.5 years. My family was at the poverty level when I applied for admission to Louisiana State University in 1977).
English classes, journalism classes, French and Latin classes, media ethics classes
Girl Scouts and the 4-H program also taught me leadership skills and public speaking skills. I must add that selling Girl Scout cookies taught me to be fearless and to be willing to sell and support what I believed in. I was the top sales person in my group! I wrote a play that my Girl Scout troop performed when I was about 9 or 10! I am really proud of that!
I also won a statewide public speaking competition when I was in high school.
Dance a lot; listen tot music; attend movies, concerts, theatre events; enjoy great wines and foods; spend time with family and friends I care about; read as much as I can when I am not too tired from working!
Do what nurtures your soul AND allows you to make money to support yourself. Always have a skill you can use or market! And remember that you CAN balance a career and personal life – don’t ever let anyone tell you that is not an option. If you love kids, don’t delay becoming a mom. There is always time to work but kids are more important that work and give hugs and kisses – work doesn’t!
The favorite book I read over a summer when I was younger was Gone With The Wind (1,000 pages or more!).
When I was little I always wanted to be an animal trainer or work with exotic big cats somewhere. Not like in a circus, but somewhere where they were protected, perhaps a sanctuary. I had this thought until High School. Then I thought I would become a DJ at a radio station.
My favourite course was english. I loved to read and write. I wish I had taken more science oriented courses which would have helped with the more technical aspects of my job. That said, english will never fail you as it helps in your journey to communicate and connect with people.
For fun I like to travel and of course summer offers the opportunity to read more books!
If you were thinking of selecting a career I would steer clear of the idea that the more money you make, the better the job is. Your job should be something that you enjoy and which gives you personal fulfillment. It's also great if it can affect other people's lives in a positive way. I know a person whose job is taking their dog to local libraries and schools to sit with children and listen to them read out loud. This helps kids feel less self conscious about reading and perhaps making a mistake. The dog doesn't care!
I have a lot a favourite books, way too many to name but a couple which perhaps set me on the path of working with animals were "Born Free" which was a book about a lion rehabilitation centre in Africa . Also, "All Creatures Great and Small" about a country veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. Don't forget "The Hobbitt."
Josh Larson Poiani
Currently (and for the past seventeen years) I work for a veterinarian. I'm an office manager, but that doesn't really describe all the things I'm allowed to do. I've assisted in many surgeries and worked outside the office with feline rescue goups. So, although they are not big exotic cats, they're still cats.
At 13 I wanted to travel and be a tour guide.
English, because communication skills are key for my job.
travel, read, paint, and socialize
Dream BIG!!!
When I was a kid I loved Nancy Drew
and The Catcher in the Rye
Jessica Perrone
I am a marketing director in the medical field and I started a vineyard here in Texas.
Event & Wedding Planner
Therese Cole
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.
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
Annise D. Parker
Houston Mayor
As the City's chief executive officer I am responsible for all aspects of the general management of the City and for ensuring that all laws and ordinances are enforced. I manage a workforce of about 21,000.
I wanted to be a scientist.
Writing courses have helped me with my position. I believe the best skills are writing effectively and expressing yourself verbally effectively.
Public speaking is also a great skill to learn. It can help with presentations at work and speaking in front of groups. The key to everyone's success is to be able to express yourself.
I enjoy reading and growing cacti, succulents and orchids.
Choose something that you are passionate about and makes you feel excited to go to work. It shouldn't matter how much money you make. Select a career that will allow you to enjoy what you do.
I am a fan of science fiction, but I will read just about anything that comes my way.
