Career Roadmap
Marissa's work combines: Education, Art, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Western High School
Bachelor's Degree
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
Cypress College
Bachelor's Degree
Art/Art Studies, General
California State University, Fullerton
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Instructional Coordinators:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
Bachelor's Degree: Art/Art Studies, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I loved art from a very young age but didn't take an art class until I was 17.
2.
I didn't plan to go to college, but I was inspired by my art teacher to work in Education.
3.
I went to community college for 4 years. I was the first person in my family to go to college.
4.
I transferred to CSU Fullerton, where I spent 5 more years & also worked full time at Disneyland.
5.
I went through some personal & financial struggles that led me to take a year off from school.
6.
During that time, I thought about what I liked to do. Answer: I loved being creative & helpful.
7.
In my year off I gained work experience and traveled. I left myself open to new possibilities.
8.
I focused my major & graduated in Visual Arts, then looked for a job to help people and be creative.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
"College is expensive. You should know exactly what you want to do before you go." "Education is a field for those who didn't make it elsewhere." "An Art degree is useless. It won't make you any money and there are no jobs."
How I responded:
I was in college for nearly 10 years. In that time I faced many challenges that ended up guiding me back, time and again, to my passions. I heard all kinds of Noise from everywhere, even from within myself. But I knew that if I took a "safer" and more streamlined road, I wouldn't get to where I wanted to go. It was tough, and I had doubts, but in the end I got an amazing job that lets me help others figure out all the things I struggled with. Be open to what comes your way, but stay you!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I got divorced at a young age, which left me struggling financially for years afterward. I worked full time while in college, which was hard. I used to imagine myself holding my degree. It was a tiny moment, but I knew I wanted it more than anything.
No one in my family knew anything about college. I paid my way through community college, working part time. That job turned into a full time job, which I worked while at a University. I got a mentor in one my professors, who helped me immensely.