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Alexis Portillo

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Roller Skating
  • Surfing
  • Crocheting
  • Yoga
  • Exploring Nature And Being Outside
  • Botany
  • Horticulture
  • Gardening
  • Spirituality
  • Upcycling and Recycling
  • Shopping And Thrifting
  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Graphic Design
  • Makeup and Beauty
  • Hair Styling
  • Fashion

Reading

  • Cultural
  • Adventure
  • Environment
  • True Story
  • Art
  • Biography

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

I am most passionate about preserving the natural world. I have five years of experience working in ecological restoration, and I hope to further my impact by receiving a Master's of Landscape Architecture. My goal is to dissolve the divide between the built environment and natural ecosystems through ecological design. I started my current career as a recent graduate and AmeriCorp member. I served for a year under the State of Hawaii's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Native Ecosystem Protection and Management Section. I moved overseas on a two weeks notice to pursue this opportunity. I had little knowledge about what this endeavor would entail. Upon starting, I quickly realized that this would be the defining challenge of my life. I was required to learn a plethora of new skills previously unknown to me, the rich cultural and natural histories of a new place, and the ecosystems, life forms and environmental issues unique to Hawai'i. I worked through these challenges while on the job in a fast-paced, professional work environment. Physically, I was pushed harder than ever before despite my history as an elite athlete. I worked daily in rough terrain and extreme environmental factors. At times I wanted to give up but I pushed through, and stayed on as a staff member and moved up the ranks. This story highlights my dedication to my passions, fortitude, adaptability, determination, and ability to learn. All of which are required to complete a challenging degree program. I supported myself through my undergraduate and will do so for my graduate studies.

Education

University of California-Santa Cruz

Bachelor's degree program

2014 – 2016

Majors:
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy

Saddleback College

Bachelor's degree program

2013 – 2014

Majors:
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy

University of Colorado Boulder

Bachelor's degree program

2011 – 2012

Majors:
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy

Capistrano Valley High

High School

2008 – 2011

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
Landscape Architecture
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Intern

    Environmental Services · AmeriCorp; Kupu; State of Hawai'i, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

    Jan 2017 – Jan 2018

  • Ka'ena Point Outreach Assistant

    Environmental Services · State of Hawai'i, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Division of State Parks

    Jan 2018 – Jan 2019

  • Field Technician

    Environmental Services · State of Hawai'i, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

    Jan 2019 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Architecture & Planning
Dream career goals:
Landscape Architect, Company Founder
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Bold Financial Freedom Scholarship
When I was younger and leaving home for the first time, I was given a plethora of advice from many loving friends and family. While I knew it was all well-intentioned, it was easy for me to get overwhelmed trying to sift through it all. Years later, I can say that the best financial advice that I received was to always save no matter how much money I make. I have never made a lot of my own money, but I have always worked in order to fund my dreams. In the times when I had no large expenses, my main focus was saving as much as possible. Even when I did not know what my next step would be, I knew my job was to prepare for it financially, so when I did know I would have the means to take that step. This mindset has allowed me to move overseas to pursue a unique and life-changing job opportunity. This job has enabled me to get the experience I needed to achieve my long-term goal of getting into a Master's of Landscape Architecture program. While working this job, I have continued to focus on saving which has secured the finances I need to start this endeavor. This advice and my subsequent internalization of it have taught me that no matter the resources available to me, I have the power to affect change in my life through discipline and the adoption of a specific mindset. This entails thinking of my future self and paying her by overcoming the frivolous wants and whims of the present. This advice is something I pass on to my younger siblings and cousins as they approach an age where they start to prepare for the journey of chasing their own dreams.
Alexis Portillo Student Profile | Bold.org