Kim Charbneau

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

Find what your passion is, the career path and lifestyle you want, and listen to your gut instincts. Don't let friends and family sway you one way or the other. Its your life, own it. Plus, make sure that your degree is worth the money you spend and have to pay back. Time is money, make it well spent.

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

Absolutely. I grew up with epilepsy. Because of this, my mother assumed I'd have limited choices and not enough smarts to stand up and be strong. I didn't realize at the time it may have been jealousy for not going through college herself due to financial restraint. I was never one who wanted to do nothing but part time work. I wanted a career, yet having epilepsy, I have to be careful to not reveal unnecessary information for fear of discrimination. Besides that, I never realized that motherhood was a full time job... I did, but reality of it is very complex and I wanted to be there 24/7 for my girls, so I became a stay at home mom. Now, Im back in college and ready to learn. Take a chance and prove to myself I'm not just an epileptic woman that people mistake as a handicap.