As an outsider, breaking into an industry can often seem like an impossible challenge and so we reached out to some very generous folks who agreed to share their stories of how they broke into their respective industries.

Rachel Da Silva

Even while in Nursing School, I always knew that I wanted to work with moms and babies. My first hospital job was on the Postpartum floor in Memorial Miramar. It really developed my skills as a nurse, but I was only just beginning my career. Read more>>

Karen Carnabucci

I did not plan to be a healing professional. Yet many years ago, when working as a daily newspaper journalist, I learned about a nearby residential program that treated adults reared in chaotic homes with an unusual interactive style of psychotherapy. I signed up for the program as a reporter to experience its philosophy firsthand, and I was startled to observe a style of psychotherapy that was very different from the usual sedentary talk therapy that I had known. Read more>>

Aftann Taijeron

I was a young girl straight out of college who needed a job. I was walking in an outdoor shopping center and saw a sign that said, ‘Now hiring”.I asked what the business was and what they were hiring for. The owner replied, you would be perfect for the job, you’re hired. I responded, ok, but what is it? It was a Curves for Women, and that’s how it all started. Read more>>