Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonya Harris.
Hi Antonya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I originally went to college with aspirations to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. However, after being in college for 5 years I was over school. After graduation I worked in sales, and healthcare. Once Covid hit, I lost my job and went into teaching, with a little push from an older mentor. While I was teaching I promised myself that once I completed my Masters in Biology, I was done teaching. I kept my promise to myself and left the classroom that same year. I was so unsure of what was next but I kept praying and applying daily. I went to a job fair at NRG and one of the supervisors in the southern district overheard me inquiring about positions in Houston with a need for sciences. He pulled me aside and after a brief conversation, offered me the job on the spot. I wouldn’t be where I am without God, I owe everything to Him and my faith.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It absolutely has NOT been smooth. I was denied an override into my ONLY class I needed to graduate. I had to email the president to get an exception. I worked overnight to pay for school from 10-6am and was in class at 8am everyday. When Covid hit I worked in a lab just to get by until I got hired teaching. After I walked away from the classroom, I was down to my last dollar when that job offer came through. I cried so many times along the way. One thing that never stopped was prayer though. Ups snd downs, I never seize praying.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Biologist for the United States Corps of Engineers. I work more on the civil engineering side. I deal with all environmental regulations. If something wants to be built, our section has to soil test, look into endangered species, and just see how it’ll impact the everyday natural life as a whole before it can be approved. I’m most proud of being able to go to California this entire summer to help with the debris cleanup from the fires. That was such a humbling and filling experience. To be able to make an impact on someone’s life after they lost everything means so much to me. I think the thing that sets me apart is my drive. I tune my pain into purpose. I’m going to cry about it first, but then I’m going to start planning and execute.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My only advice is to never give up and stay in prayer. Through it all, there’s a purpose and a plan. It might not look like what you want it to, and there may be a few detours but keep going. Once you quit, that’s when you fail. One thing I wish I would’ve known, was how important networking is. I’ve learned so much from other people just by being nice.
