Career Roadmap
Kali's work combines: Education, Science, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Exercise Science and Kinesiology
California State University-Fullerton
Graduate Degree
Exercise Science and Kinesiology
California State University-Fullerton
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Fitness and Wellness Coordinators:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Graduate Degree: Public Health, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Got certified as a personal trainer to see if I enjoyed studying the movement of the body.
2.
Pursued my Bachelors in Kinesiology because I thought I wanted to be a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
3.
Interned at a Sports Enhancement facility and loved it more than physical therapy.
4.
Continued onto my Master's degree thinking I wanted to be a college strength coach.
5.
Got a job as a manager of UC Irvine's recreation center for the salary and benefits.
6.
While I worked in recreation, I completed an internship with the UCI Strength Coach and hated it.
7.
Recruited by UCI Police Department to work for them, but backed out prior to the academy.
8.
I realized that helping others get fit in the Rec Center was what I was passionate about ALL along.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
You should make sure you're going into an area of study where you will get paid enough to earn a decent wage.
How I responded:
Finding a job these days in the fitness industry that pays more than 40K per year is very difficult for someone with only a Bachelor's degree. I went back to school for my Master's degree, in part, because I could not find a job that would allow the level of living my parents expected of me. It was difficult to face that reality and know that even with a Master's degree, I still might not find a job where I made a "decent wage," which my dad would say to be at least 60K or more.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I had to backtrack a bit a re-learn how to budget better because no one had ever really taught me. I wish I'd had help dealing with financial aide.