ABOUT ME
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Summary:
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I was born in Denton, Texas, in 1980. At the time, my mother was a registered nurse and my father was a fourth grade English teacher. I'm the youngest of four brothers and one sister. In the summer of '89, my family moved to Hayes, Ks where my mother had accepted a teaching position at Fort Hayes University. By this time, she had earned her PhD in College Teaching with an emphasis in Biology.
Over the next few years, my interests and, therefore, skills in math and science began to flourish. I made an effort to pay attention in class and understand the material. When I didn't understand, I asked questions. I spent my free time learning more than what was taught in class about chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, and so on. Of course, I didn't have the Internet back then, but I did have the next best thing, an encyclopedia set. And every time I learned something new, I worked to integrate that new information into my mental image of the world. I found that, by nature, I'm very curious and actually enjoy problem solving.
After I finished eighth grade, my family moved to Havre, Montana. After ninth grade, I started homeschooling. I studied on my own for two years before taking the GED exam and then the ACT. My first semester of college was supposed to include an Algebra course, but I tested out of it. On May 9th, 2003, I was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Montana State University - Northern. And I graduated magna cum laude.
But after college, I came face to face with a harsh reality. The job market was extremely competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more technology graduates than there were jobs for them. After months of filling out applications, building resumes, going to interviews, and then discovering the odds against me, I finally started considering other career paths.
My dad suggested pharmacy. He used to be the manager of an Eckerd Drug store, and his experience there suggested to him that I might like being a pharmacist. The idea did appeal to me. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a favorable growth in that industry over the next ten years. So, I went back to college. The plan was to take pre-pharmacy courses over the next three semesters, take the Pharmacy Collage Admission Test (PCAT), and then apply to every college of pharmacy in the state. Unfortunately, though, while the job market in pharmacy might not have been so competitive, the seats at pharmacy schools were. It was as if everyone got the same bright idea at the same time.
I was tired of wasting my time, my parents' money, and my soul on school. I wanted a job and was determined to get one even if it didn't pay all that well. For a few semesters, I worked for a local college as a math, science, and English tutor. The hourly rate was great, but I didn't get very many hours. And then, one day, someone decided that the school had more tutors than it needed, so they chose not to keep me on the following semester. So then I set my sights on becoming a pharmacy technician. I did have to study for a few months to take a test for national certification. But, once I was certified, I went to every pharmacy in town and handed out my resume. Several months later, one pharmacy called back, Kmart.
For eight years, I worked as a pharmacy technician while contemplating my future. At first, it seemed as though being a pharmacy technician could be a good career. Most techs earn at least $12/hr; the average is about $15/hr. However, it occurred to me that my experience with tutoring had been much more satisfying. I enjoy helping others to understand math better. And so I then decided to pursue tutoring as a profession.
Over the next few years, my interests and, therefore, skills in math and science began to flourish. I made an effort to pay attention in class and understand the material. When I didn't understand, I asked questions. I spent my free time learning more than what was taught in class about chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, and so on. Of course, I didn't have the Internet back then, but I did have the next best thing, an encyclopedia set. And every time I learned something new, I worked to integrate that new information into my mental image of the world. I found that, by nature, I'm very curious and actually enjoy problem solving.
After I finished eighth grade, my family moved to Havre, Montana. After ninth grade, I started homeschooling. I studied on my own for two years before taking the GED exam and then the ACT. My first semester of college was supposed to include an Algebra course, but I tested out of it. On May 9th, 2003, I was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Montana State University - Northern. And I graduated magna cum laude.
But after college, I came face to face with a harsh reality. The job market was extremely competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more technology graduates than there were jobs for them. After months of filling out applications, building resumes, going to interviews, and then discovering the odds against me, I finally started considering other career paths.
My dad suggested pharmacy. He used to be the manager of an Eckerd Drug store, and his experience there suggested to him that I might like being a pharmacist. The idea did appeal to me. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a favorable growth in that industry over the next ten years. So, I went back to college. The plan was to take pre-pharmacy courses over the next three semesters, take the Pharmacy Collage Admission Test (PCAT), and then apply to every college of pharmacy in the state. Unfortunately, though, while the job market in pharmacy might not have been so competitive, the seats at pharmacy schools were. It was as if everyone got the same bright idea at the same time.
I was tired of wasting my time, my parents' money, and my soul on school. I wanted a job and was determined to get one even if it didn't pay all that well. For a few semesters, I worked for a local college as a math, science, and English tutor. The hourly rate was great, but I didn't get very many hours. And then, one day, someone decided that the school had more tutors than it needed, so they chose not to keep me on the following semester. So then I set my sights on becoming a pharmacy technician. I did have to study for a few months to take a test for national certification. But, once I was certified, I went to every pharmacy in town and handed out my resume. Several months later, one pharmacy called back, Kmart.
For eight years, I worked as a pharmacy technician while contemplating my future. At first, it seemed as though being a pharmacy technician could be a good career. Most techs earn at least $12/hr; the average is about $15/hr. However, it occurred to me that my experience with tutoring had been much more satisfying. I enjoy helping others to understand math better. And so I then decided to pursue tutoring as a profession.