Vicky DeMaio

The best career advice I've ever received is to use your gifts and talents to help others. It's short and sweet, but I think that's really important - you've got to really figure out, well, what am I here for, right? I'm here for others, I'm here to help others, I'm here to use my gifts and talents, and, you know, no matter what capacity that is, you do it to the best of your ability. I really enjoy helping others. I think that's probably going to be my legacy. I love culture - I grew up overseas, I lived in Hong Kong, I lived in Switzerland, and I love cultures, and I'm serving a lot of different cultures, even while I'm tutoring as well.

I would say it's never to be ashamed of what you've gone through, what your journey looks like, and to always hold true to your stories, because your story can help others in ways that you could never imagine. Between you and I, two suicides - my husband killed himself in our own home, and then my son took his life. It was my faith that got me through that, and the support from my family and friends who knew that I still had a future, that God still has things for me to share and to do. There are other people that go through even worse situations, and it's important to share that there's hope for anybody, no matter what the circumstances are, whether it's a divorce or anything else. We wanted to allow somebody to really insert their own pain and circumstances into the book, because everybody's got a story. Share your story, don't be afraid or feel ashamed to share your story, because it can help others.

Some of the opportunities that I love are getting to speak publicly to people that need that. I really don't have many challenges at this point - maybe not meeting the mark in terms of being able to really encompass everything that an organization might need. When I give out, it's good, it's rewarding. I think probably the challenge would be my schedule - I stay pretty busy, so probably juggling a schedule and deciding what is best for whomever I speak with, whether it's a good fit for me or not.

Being a Christian, first and foremost, I honor God. I try to in everything that I do, and I live a life that's consistent in terms of holding true to my values, my faith. I think support is really important to have around you - your family and friends, your church, whatever you deem is important. I treasure family, and I treasure supportive people that are going to help you achieve your goals.