We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dustin Parro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dustin below.
Dustin, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Over time from I suppose since childhood, i became social towards many people during school social gatherings with adults, and openly chatting with other people I just met at more social circles. I was also raised from a family with beliefs of honesty, integrity, positivity, and care. These qualities I think helped me carry my confidence deep inside to this day. Also mixed with a hopeful mindset towards things I love/like, & stay loyal towards.
These qualities I take comfort with include: my family, friends, movies, video games, sports, etc.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I currently work at Californias Great America as mostly as a Theater Usher & at Options For All Film/Media San Jose as a Video Editor Intern. I love what I do at both places due to the work environment, relatable camaraderie with associates, work experience, and special perks that come from working there in general at CA Great America. As for OFA, I feel I learn something new to expand, and improve my video editing skills every time I do my internship. I do respect anyone’s enthusiasm to find success in the film/media workforce thru that vocational program. I focus on creating a story for a product, commercial, short projects, and more that I have a part to contribute in my own way. Finally, I even focus on how I would visit a theme park like CA Great America creating an enjoyable experience from the guests’ perspective to the best of my ability as a working associate no matter the time of year.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My knowledge/fascination of getting lost in the stories of movies/shows for past to present would be my area of knowledge in a way. I’ve been called a movie encyclopedia during high school with that in mind too. Another skill I’ve developed is awareness of general factors, tie bits from bts: behind the scenes thought process, and anything relatable in between to achieve success in/out of many scenarios. Whether it would be with close friends and family, or work friends. Finally, no matter what happens good and bad to you, there’s always an upside/solution to getting things done & achieving any goal you want/need in life. It may not be obvious/easy to find sooner or later, but eventually it’ll come/happen to you.
My piece of advice to anyone wanting to develop similar knowledge, skills, and good qualities… I’d recommend finding something only YOU can relate to personally in a positive sense everyday, then find a common environment anywhere to embrace what makes you happy necessarily, next keep what makes you happy in your thoughts/to yourself just because to create a fire of hope & confidence in your soul generally. Finally, after you have found what keeps you going in your life to creating goals, plan events/activities to look forward to, and more… make the best realistically with what you do have to achieve/earn what you want. Keep close ones you interact with in mind of these too, in case you require other people’s positive views.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Really it comes down to expanding skill sets in the workforce (such as video editing skills) and personal skill sets (also such as cooking, budgeting, time management, mental well-being in your own living environment) that benefit you and those around you as well. As well as growing my Video reel, portfolio, resume, and work experience to get accepted at a new job somewhere is an area of growth I have.
Image Credits
Martin Slyngstad
Options For All Film/Media San Jose
Richard Parro
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
