Negative Socially: 2013, Getting wrongly charged of a crime, going to jail then having to fight it at 19. really altered my view on how just the world is. I was verifiably innocent and the ordeal was dragged out for six months. The terms of my bond made me lose thousands to drug tests and missed work, then the judge throws it out right before the trial. Still a little angry about it, but it really opened my mind to the idea of the social injustices the State can facilitate.
Positive Socially, careerwise: After that, being given the chance to run the local music store in my city. It was the Marching band and Orchestra sort. It really helped with social anxiety and learning to talk to people. Before that I would compulsively rehearse what I would say before I used the phone or approached someone. Dealing with people made me feel comfortable in my own skin.
Careerwise: At 22, I worked for one of the largest optical components and systems manufactures in the world assembling and testing lenses for the optics in one of Illuminas genomic DNA sequencers. Learned a lot about software, optics, manufacturing, Six sigma, Lean, corporate/ business stuff.
Career2.0: Starting a Startup. It's confounding, exhilarating, risky, and hard. The hardest thing I've done so far and I love every minute of it. I would shill it, but it doesn't face the public yet. I'm very proud.
It's been a journey, these are the moments I feel guided me to who I am.