Using his business background, Colby founded ReFocus, an AI startup that empowers insurance agents & brokers.
Roadmap.
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“'Life is what happens while you’re making other plans'. Be flexible - there are many ways to accomplish a goal. Sometimes the non-obvious way is the most fulfilling."
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World Customs Office - European Regional Office for Capacity Building Certificate Ceremony (SDSU) — in Baku, Azerbaijan.
MILESTONES
My career roadmap has been somewhat defined.
I participated in Student Task Force while at AOC and in my second year was an elected club officer.
Upon graduating from AOC, I went to COC for a year to finish up my pre-requisites.
At COC, I joined and competed in Model United Nations and decided I want to get a degree related to international politics.
I moved to San Diego in the fall of 2015 to attend San Diego State University (SDSU). Shortly after, I began what would become a year-long internship with Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52nd).
At SDSU, I was a researcher at the Center for Information Convergence and Strategy and traveled multiple times to Baku, Azerbaijan for international customs research, studied in Prague and Tel Aviv, and presented research to the Philippines government.
Upon graduating from SDSU, I worked for a boutique international consulting firm, helping clients write government grant applications, researching defense topics, and was a program manager for a client’s coffee farm in Hawaii for a bit!
Worked at a Spacetech startup that was developing software. After that, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Moved to Sacramento to work at the world’s second-largest, single-line, natural catastrophe insurer. Started my applied AI startup in the winter of 2019.
EXPERIENCE
Here are my extracurriculars relevant to this pathway
DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Student Task Force
JROTC (before transfer to AOC)
DURING MY COLLEGE CAREER
Model United Nations
International Student Mentor
Researcher at Center for Information Convergence and Strategy
CAREER
What I'm currently doing/hope to do
I am currently building an applied AI startup, which I expect will keep me occupied for the foreseeable future. In terms of career goals, I’d like to make a difference in the community I live. I am currently on the local Mountain Rescue team. Over the next three years, I will go back to school for my graduate degree.
ADVICE
How to maximize my time in high school?
Advice #1: Listen. All the best opportunities come to those who listen.
Advice #2: Surround yourself with individuals who are smarter than yourself. Your network is your net-worth, and who you become is heavily influenced by your five closest friends.
Advice #3: Don't be afraid to jump in. Seize on opportunities that match your career objectives.
Advice #4: “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Plan the end-state, and enjoy the journey there. Have fixed goal-posts so you know you’re still tracking, but don’t be afraid to adjust as your goals change.
Advice #5: “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans”. Be flexible - there are many ways to accomplish a goal. Sometimes the non-obvious way is the most fulfilling.
