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Volume S
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
For most of my child hood I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. As I grew old, a psychologist.
What was the best course you took in school that helps you today in your career?
I studied psychology and although I am not a psychotherapist, I have found that the skills I developed and the insight I gained are always helpful to me. No matter what I do with my life, we all need to master how we work with others. This along with communication skills have helped me the most.
What do you do for fun?
I am a single mom so a good amount of my free time is spent with my son. I also go out with friends often and different men. I do love variety.
Do you have any hints for girls as they select a career?
This is easy Do what you enjoy. Never settle for a job/career that you do not enjoy. If you love what you do and do your best, the money will find you. We spend too much of our lives working to not enjoy our work.
What are your favorite books to read over the summer?
Some of my all-time favorite books include: The Thorn Birds, White Oleander, The Shack.
My tidbits of advice:
1. Be open and challenge yourself to receive and listen to constructive criticism. When you stop learning, you will stop growing. There are always things we can do better.
2. Never be arrogant
3. Always treat people with respect regardless of their position in the company or status in life. Your character is reflected in how you treat others, and it does matter.
4. Good manners go a long way (please/thank you, table manners, greetings, word choices, etc)
5. Remember that the Big Cheeses put their pants on the same way you do every day. Dont fear them or be intimidated. Be respectful and be professional.
Melissa Schewe
Chief Experience Officer
A CXO is responsible for the definition, deployment, refinement and overall customer experience for Stewart Title. I work closely with local offices across the country, the home office, internal and external customers and consumers to ensure Stewart customers receive a magnificent customer experience with every encounter with our company.
I am responsible for The Stewart Experience and support offices with deployment, adoptions, measurement and continuous improvement. I work with executives and associates to understand and communicate the Voice of the Customer throughout Stewart and that we are constantly improving our service for both internal and external customers. A CXO lead in enhancing a culture of company focus, providing tools and recognizing best practices in the company.
Rebecca Sharp Sanchez
I work at Rice University where I am the Assistant Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program, the Rice for High School Students Program and the Institute for Chinese Language Teaching. I love working with students from all backgrounds and always get to meet interesting people.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a National Geographic Photographer! From a very early age, I was fascinated with other peoples, cultures, the environments in which they live and how the world works. While I didn't become a professional photographer, I did study Geography in college. I think this study helps me better understand how people relate and the challenges humans and other living creatures face in our natural environments. And, photography is still a fun hobby!
What was the best course in school you took that helps you today?
Social Science
I enjoy reading, especially travel memoirs and books about people from other cultures. This way, I get to learn about places I may never get the chance to see. I also enjoy all the local ethnic restaurants in Houston, and sometimes I try to cook their foods at home. I also enjoy attending concerts at the Houston Symphony, Miller Outdoor Theatre and local live music venues.
Do something you love! The rest will fall into place.
Your favorite book to read over the summer?
Anything by Bill Bryson
Pediatrician or civil rights lawyer
English and Speech
I love to read, take road trips to towns/cities looking for vintage items and learning about local history and culture, and shop for bargains in Houston til I drop! I love sterling silver jewelry!!!!
Girls should couple their interest(s) with their academic strength(s) to help them select careers that they will pursue and become passionate about as they accrue experience.
As a voracious reader, I cant name only one book. However, this summer I will read and help edit books written by both my son and husband that they hope to submit to publishers in August.
Gwendolyn Samples
Community Liaison
I recruit business partners, speakers, and mentors for HISD. Coordinating district-wide programs, donations and special events are major duties. I serve as a community liaison for the district.
Participating in UIL competitions (track, speech, twirling and band) and as an officer in student government helped my self esteem. These experiences make me very comfortable speaking in front of large audiences when I have to do so on a frequent basis for my job.
Girls should participate in leadership roles at their schools to prepare them to become successful future leaders.
*When I was in the third grade, I wanted to be a mommy when I grew up and now I am!
*English, Social Studies, Government, and Spanish
*Spend time with my family
*You can do and be anything, the choice is yours, but you MUST go to college.
*Be open to new ideas, take your time, dont be afraid of changing your mind.
*Do something, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
*Volunteer! It is THE best way to try out something new before you must commit.
Anat Kelman Shaw
Director of Communications for Childrens Defense Fund, Texas
I oversee print and online communications, including reporting, media relations, and public awareness campaigns. I also manage CDF’s annual fundraiser/college scholarship program, called “Beat the Odds”.
Amy Spitnale
Teacher
A teacher or a writer.
Speech/Communications
Anything outdoors
Find something you love to do and turn it into a career.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
It was my dream to be a doctor, specifically a Pediatrician, starting in about middle school. I wanted to be involved in the medical field so I took related classes, qualified and entered a high school mentor program where I shadowed a Pediatrician for two years and volunteered as a candy striper at the hospital. I was pre-med in college, but life took me on another journey and now I am in community relations at a law firm.
Public speaking. I do not enjoy public speaking AT ALL, but my job involves some speaking and being social, in general.
I enjoy any activity involving or near the water. We have a boat that we take out on Lake Conroe with friends during the summer. I am also a shoe fanatic, I enjoy shopping and reading.
Do something you love and are passionate about.
I love fun reads...like anything by Janet Evanovich. I enjoy books that allow me to escape my everyday stressful life and laugh a little. My other favorite author is Sophie Kinsella, who wrote the Confessions of a Shopaholic series.
Heather Snyder
Community Relations Coordinator
I am currently the Community Relations Coordinator for the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins LLP, a global law firm. I work with our Houston office managing partner to oversee our charitable budget and in-kind giving. I also plan volunteer events and partnership events.
Susan Schmaeling
Principal of Susan Schmaeling Public Relations and Marketing
Pursue your dreams with passion and commitment. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. No matter what age you are believe that your actions can make the world a better place.
Photo of Susan Schmaeling, APR by Sofia van der Dys
When I was in grammar school I wanted to be a veterinarian because I thought you got to play with dogs and cats all day long. I since have owned three cats and now have a dog named Tessie.
Journalism - writing, writing and writing some more.
Honestly, I like to read for fun. Right now I am reading "The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis. I enjoyed the movie so much I wanted to learn more about the life of Michael Oher and the Touhy family of Memphis.
Turn your passion into your career. I love to write which lead to a career in public relations and marketing. I am one happy successful girl - just a big girl having fun.
That's a hard question. I read all the time. I enjoy mysteries; fiction; non-fiction - I honestly enjoy reading.
Trudi Smith
Director of PR and Events,
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
I wanted to be a teacher in 4th grade because– my math teacher was such an inspiration, combining humor and education.
Journalism and yearbook (to help with writing, and the basics of capturing the best image to relay what you want to say), – art class for creative thoughts and thinking outside of the box for unique event ideas, and in college, communication classes.
Entertain friends and family
My college degree is in architecture, but I have gone into a different career path in the non-profit industry. College and classes leading up to college provide a background for you to pursue your path to a career.
A number of books that I recommend: – Nancy Drew Mysteries (fun for problem solving), Tao of Pooh, Charlotte’'s Webb (for younger readers -– a very sweet story of friendship and life lessons) and Boxcar Children.
Singer and a teacher
Math. I use a lot of Math to manage the financial accounts, and I learned to pay attention to details in my Math classes which is very important when managing a retail business.
I love nature and I enjoy hiking and swimming. I also love to read.
When choosing a career, assess your talents and interests. Try to find a career that has aspects that really interest you and will utilize your talents. That way you will be more likely to be successful, and you won't become bored or discouraged. Also remember that you are likely to have multiple careers in your life. I was a teacher for 17 years before I was led to my current position. So when making your career choice know that you still will have chances to change careers throughout your life.
I am thoroughly enjoying the Pendragon series by D.J.Machale.
Rikki Slayton
Financial Account Manager
I wanted to be an artist and writer. I used to write in French, which is my first language but then I moved to the US when I was twenty-three and switched to writing in English. I wanted to be featured on this French TV show that invited writers to talk about their latest book. And I spent a lot of time drawing.
When I was in sixth grade, we got a substitute Math teacher whod just gotten his PhD. He was explaining geometry one day when he launched into a lecture about non-Pythagorean mathematics. It was well beyond sixth-grade level and I dont know that any of us could really understand what he was talking about but he was the first person to introduce the idea that math isnt just about counting and calculating but it is about challenging our understanding of the world. Nothing is as it seems to be. We must keep on searching and learning. Ive remembered this all my life.
I draw. I can draw for hours on end and it only seems like its been ten minutes. I always carry my sketchbook with me.
Dont worry about it. Life will lead you where you are meant to be. For many years I was sad because I didnt get to go to Art school as I had wanted. I got an MBA instead and started a business career. But I found my way back to an art career, and my business success is giving me the financial means to proceed at my own pace without having to worry about what people think of my art.
The adventures of Pipi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. I love Pipi; she does whatever feels right to her no matter the consequences. She makes me want to play.
Marie-Pierre Stien
Director of Human Resources & Artist
Lori Stutt
Manager for a Corporate Foundation
I had NO idea except that in high school I was very active in a youth group where I planned fundraisers and events as well as organized volunteers. What I didnt realize is that I could make a career out of it.
Sociology/Psychology
I have pajama days with my daughter we never get dressed and watch movies all day!
Think about what you LOVE to do, and make a career out of it!
Any romance novel
I wanted to be a teacher because I loved my first grade teacher and I wanted to be just like her. She made me feel loved and always welcomed me. I did end up teaching first grade for three years.
Speech and English. I do quite a bit of public speaking and I write books too.
I play tennis, go to movies, ponder thinking patterns, and travel.
Find things you love doing and that you are naturally drawn to and interested in. Try many different things and stick to what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. Follow your dreams and your heart!! Don't let anyone tell you you can't do or be something. Press in and press forward!!
I love to read books about how we think and why we do what we do.
Bella Soler
Founder of Single Parent families Inc.
We help equip single parents to be the best they can be. We do that through coaching, teaching and providing resources.
When I saw the movie Jerry Maguire my freshman year of high school I decided I wanted to be a fast-talking, wheeling-and-dealing sports agent, just like him.
I would have to say every English course in school. I think writing is the most important skill in the business world and every day I am trying to get better at it.
I love to be near the water; whether its on a boat, floating in the pool or sitting on a beach, if Im on the water, Im happy!
Find something that you LOVE and that interests you and make a career out of it. You should be passionate and excited about the field in which you work. I go to museums and galleries in my spare time (even when Im not working!); I love soaking up as much as I can about art and the art world.
I like light-hearted reads, especially books by Jane Green and Emily Giffen, a couple of my favorites are Jemima J and Something Borrowed.
Adrienne Saxe
Marketing Manager at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
I am the marketing manager at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). I have been here for over four years. The marketing department of the MFAH serves as an in-house marketing agency for the museum. My job is to coordinate marketing plans to promote traveling exhibitions, the museum collection, MFAH house museums Bayou Bend and Rienzi and education and film programs, along with special projects and events. I handle paid advertising, community partnerships, banners, and assist with social media and the Web site. I also work with the MFAH marketing graphic designer, our agency, and the director of marketing and communications to develop the look of MFAH ad campaigns and materials.
Kristin Scheel
Lawyer & Yoga Instructor
I serve as corporate counsel for a large international corporation. My primary responsibilities include contract negotiation and counseling business operations on risks and consequences under the laws. I also volunteer in my community. I teach yoga to children. My next project will be facilitating yoga to teenagers who have been removed from their homes by Children's Protective Services.
A lawyer and a teacher
I can't point to one particular course, however, the most beneficial study was learning to write effectively. I began developing these skills as a liberal arts major in college, where I was required to research and write papers and I was often tested by essay. I worked further at this in law school in my course work, as an intern for the court of appeals, and by participating on the law review journal.
My favorite activities are yoga, cooking for friends and family, volunteering, gardening, getting lost in a good fiction novel, learning a new craft, singing and dancing in the car, cartwheels through grassy fields.
Find opportunities to explore the industry that you are considering. Your perception of a job might be different from the reality of it, and it's important to understand if the reality is a fit before getting too committed to a particular path. The easiest way to do so is as a volunteer intern. Get involved, explore many expressions in your field of choice, build relationships with people who work there, observe everything, ask a lot of questions and listen to the answers. Dream Big and don't be afraid to walk away if you don't like what you find. Don't be limited by conventional thinking - you have the power to create everything you desire in this life. One more thing: carefully consider the impacts of student loan debt. These obligations are great and could limit your choices further down the road. Do the work to take full advantage of scholarships, grants, etc. Whatever you can do to minimize your education costs, do it.
Time Traveller's Wife & Tracks by Robin Davidson
Jana Rice Swatek
Professor
I teach how to become a pharmacy technician at a college. I teach everything from customer service to pharmacology.
A pharmacist.
Chemistry and/or Algebra
I spend time with family, read; I love just being with my kids and making them happy.
Do what makes you happy and you will love getting up every morning.
There are too many to list, but last summer my favorite was the Twilight Saga.
