A Future Career in Writing and Communications

By Beth Hood aka GPS Gal 

This month I interviewed Jessica, who is anticipating a career in communications, and is currently preparing to take a gap year abroad. Here’s what she says about future path: “I didn't really choose my subject; it chose me..” If you might be considering community college in the future and would like some solid advice about why you should choose this option, or would just like to learn about Jessica’s upcoming gap year, read on…

GPS Gal: What's your current course of study? What degree will you graduate with?

Jessica: I am about to graduate with a general associate of arts degree. I am taking a "gap year" following that, which may turn into a career. However, if I go back to school after that, I will major in communications.

GPS Gal: How long is your program of study? Where are you going to school?

Jessica: I'm getting a 2-year degree at Rogue Community College. I may take some language classes during my gap year as I will be in Spain. I hope to eventually go back to school for two or more years.

GPS Gal: Why did you choose this subject/career path? How did you make this choice?

Jessica: I have always loved writing, and I started professionally writing when I was 17. I also love learning about culture and how people communicate. I didn't really choose my subject; it chose me. I was just sitting at home one night last year thinking about the things I like to study and do, when COMMUNICATIONS hit me!

GPS Gal: What's the most interesting thing about what you are learning?

Jessica: I love learning about different societies and cultures and how they communicate differently. 

GPS Gal: What are you planning to do with your studies? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Jessica: For my gap year, I will be an au pair in Spain. I would like to continue being an au pair for several years after as a way to earn money and travel to different countries. I am also currently freelance writing, and I hope that my adventures will make my writing career even better. In 5 years, I see myself travelling the world for humanitarian causes and writing about it.

GPS Gal: How important is it to you that you enjoy your job or career in the future? Did you consider this when you made this choice?

Jessica: I once read a book called "Fire Your Boss". While I liked some of the tips, the book told me to hate my job because I would eventually have to quit or be fired anyway. I didn't like the philosophy. I know that sometimes I'll have to take some time to LEARN to love my job, but I want to feel comfortable in my work instead of feeling like a sellout.

GPS Gal: How did you choose your college? What 5 elements were the most important to you?

Jessica: 1. Money- I was accepted into a good school and even got a bit of a scholarship, but I still couldn't afford it. Don't bash community colleges- they're great for people short on money and often provide many of the resources that universities have. 2. Distance- Seriously, why waste time and gas money to go somewhere far away when you can enjoy local comforts? 3. Opportunities- I don't recommend schools that only have two or three majors because you will probably change your mind sometime during college. Keep your options open. 4. Resources- My college in connected to a nearby university (both schools even share one of the buildings), which makes transferring easy. Things like tutoring centers, computer labs, and easy-to-reach advisors are also important to me. I guess I can think of a 5th element, but if you come up with your own element, it should be something that is meaningful to you!

GPS Gal: Do you have any piece of advice for girls in high school who are preparing to go to college about their educational or career choices?

Jessica: Keep your feet on the ground (i.e. only go to a school where you can eventually pay off the tuition and don't major in something where there is no future) but dream big. You can take others' advice, but ultimately you don't have to listen to anyone else. Go after your own goals, one step at a time.

GPS Gal: Do you have a mission (sense of purpose) for you life? If you could put it into a mission statement what would it be?

Jessica: I always say I have a mission, but I can't really put it into words. I'm a Christian, so "serve God" is the preamble of my mission, but what I do beyond that always changes. In one chapter of my life, it may mean to study hard and get good grades. In another chapter, it may mean to reach out to those in need.

GPS Gal: Thank you, Jessica. We wish you all the best in your travels and hope that you find many wonderful things to write about! 

If you have a question about this interview or would like to learn more about this field of study, you can forward your questions to the GPS Gal. Click these links if you would like to learn more about a gap year or how to find a gap year scholarship.

Do what makes you happy

By Beth Hood aka GPS Gal

This month I interviewed Sarah, who recently graduated from the Gene Juarez Academy with a license in cosmetology. She has tapped into her artistic talent, her interest in working with kids, and is already in a career that she loves at only 20 years old! To learn about Sarah’s story, read on…

GPS Gal: Sarah, what degree did you graduate with?

Sarah: I graduated with a license in cosmetology from the Gene Juarez Academy in Seattle, Washington.

GPS Gal: How long was your program of study?

Sarah: It was roughly 13-14 months, with a total of 1600 hours clocked in.

GPS Gal: Why did you choose this subject/career path? How did you make this choice?

Sarah: I've never been great at academics, and I wasn’t very successful in high school. I knew something in the arts was more my strength, and I had been doing my own hair and friends hair (and my Barbie's hair) for years, so I thought I’d give it a shot.

GPS Gal: What's the most interesting thing about what you are learning?

Sarah: Definitely the people I’m meeting. I’ve heard so many different stories, and have met some really interesting people that I wouldn’t have normally come across.

GPS Gal: What are you planning to do with your studies? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Sarah: I’m currently working as a stylist at a children's salon and I love it! Working with kids has always been a passion of mine. Eventually, by the time I own a house, I would love to do hair out of my home and still keep a couple days a week at the kids’ salon.

GPS Gal: How important is it to you that you enjoy your job or career in the future? Did you consider this when you made this choice?

Sarah: If I don’t enjoy something, I don’t do it. So the fact that I’m in this industry is pretty much crucial to my financial well being. I love interacting with people, and having my hands in people’s hair is where they belong. I don’t know if I could see myself ever doing anything else.

GPS Gal: How did you choose your college? What 5 elements were the most important to you?

Sarah: Well, I did a quarter year of college at Bellevue College and I really enjoyed it and took mostly art courses. When it came time to sign up for the next quarter and I realized I was going to have to take math and science courses... I was not so excited. That’s when I decided beauty school. I chose the Gene Juarez Academy because of the professionalism they showed and the name that came with it. Gene Juarez salons are very reputable in Washington state.

GPS Gal: Do you have any piece of advice for girls in high school who are preparing to go to college about their educational or career choices? 

Sarah: Don’t do what everyone expects of you, do what you want to do. I felt like I was a disappointment for not choosing to go to college, but now that I’m done with school I knew it was the best choice for me, and now I’m 20 years old and starting my career! Follow your passion!

GPS Gal: Do you have a mission (sense of purpose) for you life? If you could put it into a mission statement what would it be?

Sarah: Do what makes you happy, and you'll make the people around you happy

GPS Gal: Your words are really inspiring and I hope they will inspire other girls to follow their passion as well.

If you have a question about this interview or would like to learn more about this field of study, you can forward your questions to the GPS Gal.

Seeking a Career to Help “Change the World”

By Beth Hood aka GPS Gal

This month I interviewed Wendy, a student at the Pacific Academy of the Healing Arts who is studying be a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. She chose this career because she believes that helping people in this way can “change the world”. If you are interested in counseling people to improve not only their lives, but their families and communities as well, check out Wendy’s interview… 

GPS Gal: What's your current course of study? What degree will you graduate with?

Wendy: I am studying to be a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. When I’m finished with the school I will need to complete 6000 hours of actual work in the field then I will be able to take the test to become a CSAC.

GPS Gal: How long is your program of study? Where are you going to school?

Wendy: The program is 270 clock hours of classroom study plus 400 hours of work experience. I attend the Pacific Academy of the Healing Arts. The courses are offered one day a week for a full year, but half of the courses can be completed on-line.

GPS Gal: Why did you choose this subject/career path? How did you make this choice?

Wendy: The longer I lived in Hawaii the more I knew something needed to be done with all the drug abuse I was seeing but was not sure what I could do until one day I saw an ad in the Tribune saying “We can change the world”. I called and met with the two instructors and knew this was for me. After talking with them and reading about their vision for the Big Island I had to start and here I am.

GPS Gal: What's the most interesting thing about what you are learning?

Wendy: Oh so many things: the many different types of counseling there are, relapse prevention, early intervention, professional ethics, diseases, and how to deal with multicultural competency.

GPS Gal: What are you planning to do with your studies? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Wendy: I plan to work with the communities on the Big Island to teach them about how to prevent drug abuse in their communities. I hope to have a small practice that will work closely with young children to prevent them from using drugs or alcohol.

GPS Gal: How important is it to you that you enjoy your job or career in the future? Did you consider this when you made this choice?

Wendy: Yes I did consider it and it is important that I enjoy what I am doing. As long as I am helping people I will enjoy my job.

GPS Gal: How did you choose your college? What 5 elements were the most important to you?

Wendy: An ad in the paper caught my eye. After meeting the owner instructor it was just a fit. The most important to me was that the instructor and I get along. The length of the course, how in depth each course would be, the cost and what I could do with the Certification after finishing.

GPS Gal: Do you have any piece of advice for girls in high school who are preparing to go to college about their educational or career choices?

Don't look at just what you can earn in what you want to do but how your choice will affect your life and the lives of others. Enjoy what you do and also give your all to what you do.

GPS Gal: Do you have a mission (sense of purpose) for you life? If you could put it into a mission statement what would it be?

Wendy: I would like to help children, families, and communities by leading them or showing them the way to prevent and recover from the use of drugs and alcohol in their lives.

GPS Gal: It sounds like your new career path will be right on track. Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself, and good luck with the rest of your studies!

If you have a question about this interview or would like to learn more about this field of study, you can forward your questions to the GPS Gal.

Choosing a career to become closer to yourself

This month I interviewed Mei-jen, a student at the Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawai’i who is studying to become an acupuncturist and herbal practitioner. She recommends choosing a path and sticking with it, and advices our readers to “try as many different things as you can to make the right choice for your future.” If working in alternative health care is something you are passionate about, read on…

GPS Gal: What's your current course of study? What degree will you graduate with?

Mei-jen: Traditional Chinese Medicine. I’ll graduate with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine.

GPS Gal: How long is your program of study? Where are you going to school? 

Mei-jen: My program is 3 and 2/3 years or 11 trimesters. I am going to school at the Traditional Chinese Medical School of Hawai'i on the Big Island of Hawai'i.

GPS Gal: Why did you choose this subject/career path? How did you make this choice? 

Mei-jen: I chose this path to help people heal with less invasive medicine. I made this choice with time, 10 years thinking it over and looking at all the options available.

GPS Gal: What's the most interesting thing about what you are learning?

Mei-jen: That Traditional Chinese Medicine is deeper than the widest ocean. It is full of so much information, history, poetry, theory, art, perspectives, and studies, that one would never get bored with the medicine.

GPS Gal: What are you planning to do with your studies? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Mei-jen: I am planning to continue my studies, become a better practitioner. I hope to be an established acupuncturist and herbalist and mother creating a healing sanctuary for my family and others.

GPS Gal: How important is it to you that you enjoy your job or career in the future? Did you consider this when you made this choice?

Mei-jen: It is very important that I enjoy my journey with myself into the future. I did consider this with myself before I started on this journey. I chose this path to become closer to myself and also to become a professional in one area. I chose Traditional Chinese Medicine. Choose something and stick with it.

GPS Gal: How did you choose your college? What 5 elements were the most important to you?

Mei-jen: A high school classmate, who used to cheat off me in math class recommended TCMCH to me. The five things that were important were: 1. Student loan funding 2. A new climate zone, that I had never lived in before 3. Different instructors from all different walks of life, experiences and backgrounds 4. Not in too much city, more country 5. Small college, where I wouldn't get lost and could be a part of it all.

GPS Gal: Do you have any piece of advice for girls in high school who are preparing to go to college about their educational or career choices?

Mei-jen: Be easy-going with yourself. Your hormones and emotions are leading you in certain directions. Have safe sex (or children), when you are ready, stay true to yourself, follow your own path, never give up. You will blossom and come into yourself with time, allow yourself to try as many different things as you can to make the right thorough choice as possible for your future.

GPS Gal: Do you have a mission (sense of purpose) for you life? If you could put it into a mission statement what would it be?

Mei-jen: My purpose is to live each day fully, give thanks for that day, and be able to be apart of the world I am living in through humanitarian efforts (medicine, art, and community)

GPS Gal: That’s beautiful Mei-jen. I love how you mission brings you back to how you want to live life on a daily basis, and is not only focused on the future. I’m sure you will be an excellent acupuncturist and herbalist. Good luck!

If you have a question about this interview or would like to learn more about this field of study, you can forward your questions to the GPS Gal.

Cooking can be a job, not just a hobby

By Beth Hood aka GPS Gal

This month I interviewed Bianca, who just graduated as a Certified Natural Chef from the Bauman College. It took Bianca a few years to realize her passion for cooking could become a full-time career, but once she found that focus her path has really defined itself, and she has a very clear vision for the future. If you are interested in the culinary arts, or just looking for inspiration for how to turn your hobby into a job, read on…

GPS Gal: Can you tell us about the program you just completed?

Bianca: I recently graduated as a Certified Natural Chef. I attended the Bauman College and studied the culinary arts. The Bauman College has several campus locations, the one that sounded the best to me was located in Berkeley.

GPS Gal: How long was your program of study?

Bianca: The Natural Chef program was a five month course.

GPS Gal: Why did you choose this subject/career path? How did you make this choice?

Bianca: I have always liked cooking, and spent a lot of time in the kitchen. A few years ago my brother thought he wanted to be a chef. As an experiment, my family started running a weekly vegan café. After several months we went on vacation, where we talked about the experience and if we wanted to continue with the deli. My brother decided that he was tired of it, choosing not to continue... so we discontinued. But from the experience I realized that I not only liked to cook, I enjoy the whole process of running a café. From planning the menus, all the way to going over the figures at the end of the day.

It took me a couple years for me to realize that cooking actually could be a job, not just a hobby. Once I came to that realization everything happened very quickly, and the next thing I knew I had decided to move to Berkeley and was in culinary school! It was my dream coming true!

GPS Gal: What's the most interesting thing about what you learned in your studies?

Bianca: I really enjoyed learning to use different kinds of local fruits, vegetables, uncommon ingredients. Also learning proper recipe writing was quite beneficial for documenting recipes that I invent or modify. It helps to have a neat and organized recipe to come back to later. I also greatly enjoyed learning to make foods from scratch. The first time I made my own almond milk I was blown away by how much better it tastes, (not to mention it is much healthier than a packaged almond milk). Making things from scratch was a very big part of The Bauman College's teachings.

GPS Gal: What are you planning to do with your studies? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Bianca: My dream and goal is to have a vegan café by the time I turn 25. Part old style ice cream parlor, and part sit-down cafe. You could walk in and get freshly made ice cream, cupcakes, pies, cakes, and other dessert foods. Or you could sit down and have a meal, followed by dessert of course! And the best part is that everything will be vegan, (contain no animal products, or animal derived products). I have also taught private vegan cooking lessons. I may continue teaching on the side before opening a café.

GPS Gal: How important is it to you that you enjoy your job or career in the future? Did you consider this when you made this choice?

Bianca: If you do not enjoy life, what is the point of living? And most people spend most of their lives working, so it is very important to do something that you like. I cannot make myself do work that I dislike. The longest I have lasted at a job I disliked is a few months. It is just not worth it.

GPS Gal: How did you choose your college? What 5 elements were the most important to you?

Bianca: I did not want to go to one of the more traditional culinary schools where I would be learning to use or cook with animal products. I feel very strongly against consuming or using animal products. So I guess the first factor was finding a school where I did not have to compromise my beliefs. The Bauman College also taught how to heal through food, consuming healthful foods nourishes the body and also prevents against diseases and illnesses. This was also a plus.

Another factor was cost. I wanted to pay for my schooling and living expenses, without any assistance. The school I chose was affordable for me. The location was not as important, but it still played a part in my decision. Berkeley has a very diverse culture, (I liked that), and has seasons, (after living in Hawaii where the two seasons are sunny or rainy, I wanted to have a taste of actual seasons).

GPS Gal: Do you have any piece of advice for girls in high school who are preparing to go to college about their educational or career choices?

Bianca: When choosing a career pick something that you enjoy, and shoot for the stars. Do not sell yourself short, and don't let anyone tell you that your dream is not good.

GPS Gal: Do you have a mission (sense of purpose) for you life? If you could put it into a mission statement what would it be?

Bianca: Don't let life pass you by. Be sure whatever you do has a meaning, whether it is for pleasure, for education, for bettering the world, etc. Don't be stuck doing something you hate doing. Life is too short to do things that make us miserable, move on. And be sure to live life to it's fullest!

GPS Gal: Wow! Thank you for those words of inspiration. We wish you all the best in launching your dream.

If you have a question about this interview or would like to learn more about this field of study, you can forward your questions to the GPS Gal.