Follow through. Be active, not passive, in your education.
Diversify. That was just some of the wisdom Jamie Hyneman, of MythBusters fame,
shared with more than 300 high school students Tuesday during the Pathways to
Professions exhibition, organized in part by Salt Lake Community College in
collaboration with the Wasatch Front South Consortium.
Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox hosted a Q&A with Hyneman,
covering his educational journey, early interests during high school and
college, successes and failures, special effects and more. “Don’t be a passive
participant and let things happen to you,” he told Cox and the audience.
“Whatever you’re doing out there, you need to put yourself in a situation where
you’re an active participant. Experiment. That’s being an active participant.
You’re not just taking something someone told you – you’re going out and
getting those answers by yourself.”
The annual Pathways showcase, held at the Mountain America
Expo Center in Sandy, brings together industry leaders, higher education,
secondary education, educators, students and community members for a two-day
event geared to align career and technical education (CTE) programs with
education pathways to build Utah’s workforce. SLCC invited Hyneman to be the
event’s keynote speaker.
In answering a question from a student about building a
resume, Hyneman offered some advice with a bit of humor. “Talk is cheap,” he
said. “Doing things is another deal. Follow up. Unless they tell you that they
hate you or that they don’t want to see your face again because you’re ugly,
you can keep bugging them if you want that job.”
Hyneman is a special effects expert best known as the co-host
of MythBusters. Originally created for the Discovery Channel, MythBusters (now
on Science Channel) uncovers the truth behind popular myths and legends by
mixing scientific method with curiosity, ingenuity and experimentation. Hyneman
holds several honorary doctorates and has worked as a certified dive master,
boat captain, wilderness survival expert, linguist, pet store owner, animal
wrangler, machinist, concrete inspector and chef.
Photos from the Pathways to Professions showcase
