Undergraduate Degree(s): English

Favorite class(es): I both hated and loved editing my college newspaper. It was a massive challenge, but it stretched me and grew me, and I loved managing the staff.

Moving from college to career:

After graduating with an English degree, I taught High School English for 2 years and did not like it. After teaching, I did volunteer work for years while raising my two kids. I decided to go back to work when my youngest was in high school and worked as an Administrative Assistant for 18 months then was hired as the Administrative Specialist at the Ronald McDonald House. This position transitioned into the Communications Manager position which I now hold, and I've been here four years.

Career influences:

My college major was English, and I'm the grammar and editing police around here! I enjoy working with words.

My life experiences led me to love nonprofit work. I love knowing we're making such an impact on families in challenging times.

While I am certainly putting my English degree to good use, I wish someone had encouraged me to listen to my heart a bit more while I was in college. A Psychology major would have probably suited me more.

Find out where your great passion meets the world's great need. The passion part is important, and you also have to figure out how to make a living in the process. There's a tension between following your heart and following the money. I do believe it can be both/and.

Learn more about careers in:

• Government & Public Affairs
• Education & Human Services

Check out these links:

• RMHC Austin
• RMHC Austin Blog
• Please Understand Me, by Kiersey