Communities: Fall 2007
EDMONDS CC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Alumnus Shares His Career in Science with Students
Last June, science faculty put together a special event to honor outstanding students in the college’s biology, chemistry, physics and engineering departments and to celebrate commencement for the 50 students earning Associate of Science degrees. Many were heading to the University of Washington and other state universities, as well as to schools in California, New York and Texas.
As part of the event, the students heard from alumni Pooya Tadayon who works as a technology integration manager at Intel Corporation in Portland. Tadayon gave a lecture on semiconductors, and then took time to answer questions from the students.
He studied chemistry at Edmonds Community College, completing his two-year degree from 1989 to 1991. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Washington and a doctorate in chemistry from Oregon State University.
He said he uses the analytical problem-solving skills and communication skills he learned at Edmonds on his job today.
His advice to new students: “Figure out what your skills and strengths are and align your studies and career direction to those strengths. And do internships, it’s the best way to build a network and gain insight into how companies work.”
Alumna Creates a Garden for Orphans in Bulgaria
After accumulating 10 years of horticulture knowledge at conferences, workshops and master gardening training, Emily Bishton sought formal training at Edmonds Community College.
“I needed to be more informed about current practices in garden installation and gain plant identification skills,” she said. “And I’d heard great things about Edmonds Community College.”
Earning the Landscape Design degree helped her garden business grow and created new opportunities for her. “Having the degree helps me attract new clients. People are looking for a measurable amount of knowledge,” she said. “And, personally, it’s given me more confidence and that projects to clients too.”
Her business, Green Light Gardening in Seattle, specializes in child- and wildlife-friendly garden designs. Recently, she was approached with the opportunity to dig into an unusually challenging and rewarding project: turn a debris-filled urban lot into a play area for orphans in Bulgaria.
Working with the Worldwide Orphans Foundation, she designed the garden using only photographs. She traveled to Bulgaria last summer to help install a welcoming space for 200 toddlers, including a flower and vegetable garden and features that fulfill children’s needs for exercise, reflection and interaction.
Calling All Alums
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know where you are working, share your favorite memories about Edmonds Community College, or tell us how an instructor or staff member helped you along the way. Go to www.edcc.edu/yourstory.
Plus, we’re always happy to see alumni on campus. We’ve got music, theater and dynamic speakers. Check out http://artsandculture.edcc.edu.
Just say “I’m an alum!”
