Donna Goins
County of Kern
Bakersfield, CA USA
"Explore! All experiences help create a broad background in order to be useful to a profession."
Career Roadmap
Donna's work combines: Government, Non-Profit Organizations, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Junipero Serra High School
Bachelor's Degree
Accounting and Business/Management
California State University, Bakersfield
Bachelor's Degree
General Studies and Business
Three community colleges
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Government Accountant, Retired:
Bachelor's Degree: Accounting and Business/Management
Bachelor's Degree: General Studies and Business
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Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
In junior high I chose college prep path through high school.
2.
After high school graduation, I worked in accounting for three years without any further schools. I took any on-the-job training useful at the time.
3.
After three years, I took one junior college class in accounting and decided I really like the field.
4.
In a financial planning seminar, we were told to take one class every semester to broaden skills for future. I followed the recommendation.
5.
I started to complete certificate for business at community/junior college.
6.
While working, I decided to explore a few other courses such as geology that helped me understand the reports I was reviewing.
7.
I learned to reevaluate my educational path periodically and eventually switched to taking general education courses to aid entrance into university. Then took the big step and moved for school.
8.
At university I was told the career path to take. I tried it, it wasn't right and I was fired for the first time. This led to the right path for me and I worked for 20 years before retiring at age 58.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
I must become a certified public accountant to be worthwhile.
How I responded:
There are many types of accountants who do many different functions. Explore! All experiences help create a broad background in order to be useful to a profession.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I learned through testing at the university level that I have mild dyslexia and I have very slow thinking. This made many tests and classroom participation more difficult. I was given useful tools and strategies and mostly support to assist me.