LISA DOYLE

On the subject of learning, my feeling is that as long as you have a good teacher, you can be good at anything (some of my friends insist they have a lack of 'talent' for math, but my experience has shown that I've done great with great math teachers and lousy with lousy ones.)

I started out wanting to be a pilot...then went into computer science...didn't understand my school's approach to that so went into aviation electronics...got a job as an electronics book club editor at a book publisher and used that as a stepping stone to technical writing. I always wanted to work for NASA, but with all the cutbacks in the aerospace industry lately, I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time to get the job I have now. However, my field is diverse, which means I can use my skills in several different technical fields and levels. It's dangerous to get too specialized in a field because that specialty could be phased out over time and all of your experience will be with that skill set. Always continue to learn and grow.

About learning math and science, I never felt pressured not to go into a math or science field because I always had a sense of self-reliance. I never want to have to depend on someone else for my financial freedom.

College was an important experience because I had to learn to discipline myself. I started out not knowing where I was going to end up, but towards graduation, I realized I'd better get a plan for after graduation, or at least figure out how to start paying off my school loans! The expense was sort of unexpected, but I learned how to take full advantage of the financial aid offered. Don't discount any of it. They aren't going to stick it under your nose, sometimes you have to hunt around a little. But sometimes all you have to do is apply (translation: some free money, but some you will have to pay back with interest after graduation. It can be a big investment.).

On a personal level, I love music so I go to lots of concerts. I play a conga (a tall, narrow hand drum), I just started taking drum set lessons, and I like to sing. I love cooking. I have a Great Dane named Rhiannon who is very sweet. I am also a mentor for a 10th grader at Woodside High School; we do mostly math and now chemistry. She is very bright and ambitious, so she makes it easy for me.

When asked what I would liked to have known more about when I was younger, these things came to mind:

--how to get money for school (I'm the only person in my family who went to college, including both my parent's families, so there was never any savings for college)
--how to explore your natural abilities to find out what you enjoy and are good at (I took lots of aptitude tests in high school with my guidance counselor)
--how to focus on what is important to you, not necessarily what your parents or anyone else thinks is important for you.

Follow your dreams, but don't forget that your dreams can change, and that's ok, because you will continue to grow and change too.

Questions Answered