Annette DiResta

After graduating CU, I moved to Hawaii and worked in the field of my major, Broadcast Journalism at KITV as a camera operator during the news and weekend tapings.  I then moved to American Airlines at the Honolulu Airport and eventually transferred to California. I continued for several years, then took a leave of absence to raise our kids. I took Early Childhood Education classes to teach preschool at our kids' Christian school for tuition discounts even thought we lived in a great school district.  I then got into real estate before the market took off.  I've been in real estate for 23 years, love it and have volunteered at churches in the A/V and/or Production Department. Fitness and wellness, my other major was a B.S. in Phys Ed, is my other love, so I work out at least 4 days a week - pilates, yoga, cardio, weightlifting and hiking. I started lap swim at CU and until my rotator cuff heals, that will have to wait.

My advice to students...

Stay in the area of your passions and resist the urge/pressure to try to please others and their thoughts/opinions of what you should do.  I believe life is a journey to discover what talents, skills God has deposited in you and as you grow and evolve, you will recognize consistent patterns in your life that reveal your values and passions. Work hard and don't cut corners. Serve others with a heart of excellence.  Entrepreneurs generally don't work well for others, are natural leaders and like making decisions. We are risk takers and enjoy challenges. I ran into a former colleague with the airlines and he said, "If you would have stayed with AA, you could retire by now." I thought to myself, "I could never last for 35 years in the same position".  It's been a road of ups and downs, failures (lots) and victories, but it's been a fun journey so far. I've used both of my majors throughout my life but by far the most important job has been raising 2 great kids who are my favorite friends in life.