Even though her career path has had some unexpected forks along the way, Talia Weston is nothing if she’s not determined.
For the most part, the class of 2019 Hatboro-Horsham High School graduate and University of Virginia alum’s determination is hyper-focused on helping people.
When she was awarded the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation scholarship as a high school senior, Talia was planning to attend college and become a doctor. Her focus had been on psychiatry type of work.
“It didn’t feel right,” Talia said of beginning her pre-med studies and labs. “I knew that although I didn’t want to be a doctor, I wanted to help others. I wanted to help people live more productive lives.”
Her science-based courses, including computer science, philosophy, psychology and sociology led her to major in Cognitive Science. A gentle push from her mother, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, helped to solidify her studies.
She has since completed two pharmaceutical internships and is working as a contractor for pharmaceutical companies. “I always loved science and learning,” Talia noted, adding that she’s fascinated by the human body and brain and how it functions.
Future Career Goals
As she seeks full-time employment, Talia continues helping young learners struggling in math and reading as a tutor for Kumon.
But, instead of pursuing a career in cognitive science, Talia’s path has veered to the Human Resources field.
“I want to try new things. HR is something that interests me and I want to chase after this dream,” she said. “I have a strong passion to work with others and connect with others.”
Human Resource professionals help to guide the inner workings of a company. Generally, HR manages employees and ensures compliance with applicable regulations. These individuals also recruit staff, choose the best candidates for job openings, set compensation and benefits and undertake employee training and development functions.
In essence, Talia would be the backbone of an organization, helping employees in all aspects of their position similar to how she helped train dancers while dancing competitively for more than 10 years with an area dance studio.
Throughout college she continued dancing and planning events and fundraising as the executive social chair of the university’s dance company.These days, she has little use for her jazz shoes and instead is embracing the mind-body connection of yoga. Talia is in the process of obtaining her yoga teacher certification, which she expects to complete in March 2025.
Finding Inspiration
While navigating career changes, adversity and obstacles that “life will bring your way,” Talia has found strength in the ETC Foundation.
“The Coombs family has always inspired me,” she said. “I always feel empowered by them.”
Soon after the tragic death of their 19-year-old son, Edward, Eric and Tina Coombs, along with their daughter, Erin, founded the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation. Its mission continues to revolve around providing merit scholarships to graduating seniors. To date, the Foundation has distributed more than $1 million in scholarship awards.
“This scholarship really helped me navigate my first semester in college,” Talia said. “It definitely helped take some ease off finances.”
The work of the Foundation continues to impact and inspire Talia. “I like to use their strength when I have my struggles,” she said of the Coombs family. “I know I can get to the other side by seeing how they handled everything that came their way.”
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