Kari Byron

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By Roadtrip Nation

Kari Byron

Highlight

Themes: Dedication Hard Work

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Kari Byron HighlightInterview Highlight

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InterviewThe Interview

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DepressionWeb Exclusive

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FeministWeb Exclusive

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Just BreatheWeb Exclusive

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A Day In The LifeWeb Exclusive

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BalanceWeb Exclusive

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Travel Is The Best EducationInterview Excerpt

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Made Myself LearnInterview Excerpt

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Go The DistanceInterview Excerpt

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Find People To Help You And Pay It ForwardInterview Excerpt

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Getting Over ShynessInterview Excerpt

Milestones

My road in life has taken me all over.

Growing up, she was shockingly shy; she was too timid to even walk to the bus with her neighbors.

But she was also always very curious, and she had a hard time deciding on a college major; she eventually landed on studying film and sculpture.

When college ended, she was terrified; she didn’t want to take the next steps to figure out what to do with her life

To cope, she decided to travel, and she spent a year traveling the world for cheap; the experiences she had on that journey helped her find her courage, and stimulated her curiosity.

When she got back from her travels, she started pursuing practical film effects and prop making; her first job in the field was as an unpaid intern working for Jamie Hyneman.

When Hyneman started filming Mythbusters, Kari did anything possible to be included on the show; eventually, she got to join the “Build Team,” who facilitated the scientific experiments.

Looking back, she can’t believe that shy little girl she once was now appears on television and does public speaking events for a living!

She’s become an advocate for women in strong, powerful roles—especially in STEM—because when she was growing up, the media didn’t show her examples of women in those positions.

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

Bachelor
Film/Cinema/Video Studies
San Francisco State University

Bachelor
Sculpture
San Francisco State University

Career

TV Host

I am an artist and the host of reality based television shows usually involving science.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

Engineering

Television

Problem Solving

Day to Day

When I'm filming, most of the time that is in Los Angeles, so I do a lot of commuting to and from there. I am also involved in a lot of side projects as a host and/or producer. In addition to my day job, I am also always working on various sculptures.

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

Don't be afraid to do the hard work. Get your hands dirty and foster your curiosity.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Take one step forward and just let go of your fear. It's important to find people to help you (mentors, advisors, friends, family, etc.) and then pay it forward to the generations coming up after you.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"I'm too shy to make it in television."

My whole life I've struggled with crippling shyness and occasionally depression. Since a large part of my job is in the public eye, being followed by cameras, public speaking, etc., it has been difficult at times to adjust. Most days, I take it one step at a time until I make it through. I'm never going to be fully over it, I just had to learn to go for it!

Challenges I Overcame

Learning Issues

I have an art background, not a science background. I had to teach myself most of what I know so that I could explain complex things to people as concisely as possible.

Physical Issues

I've struggled with depression my whole life and I often go through big bouts of uncertainity and have to take some days moment by moment, which can be very hard when you have a camera in your face.

Interviewed By

A Balanced Equation

Women in STEM Roadtrip

Watch the Documentary