Nikki Cooley
Fifth World Discoveries
Flagstaff, AZ USA
"If you've ever been on white water in a rapid, there's only one way through: down. I've broken my oar, I've flipped my boat--but I've made it out OK. That's my analogy for life."
Career Roadmap
Nikki's work combines: Action Sports, Environment & Nature, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Before getting my river guide license, I had never been in a boat and I had never been down in the Grand Canyon before. I had this gut feeling that I should go for it regardless of my doubts, so I did. Anything is possible!
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Forestry, General
Northern Arizona University
Graduate Degree
Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
Michigan State University
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Grew up with her grandparents on a Navajo reservation with no running water or electricity.
2.
Her move to high school was hard; she was bullied and her grades suffered until she found softball.
3.
Found counselors who encouraged her to push herself and give college a try, just for a year.
4.
She finished her bachelor's and master's degrees in forestry at Northern Arizona University.
5.
Has worked all kinds of jobs, from sheep herder to McDonald's to Colorado River guide.
6.
Her first time rafting was also her first time on a boat and her first time in the Grand Canyon.
7.
She's now the first Navajo woman to get a Colorado River guide license.
8.
Says: Push yourself and listen to the people who tell you you're going to do great things.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I'm not sure if I can do this.
How I responded:
Before getting my river guide license, I had never been in a boat and I had never been down in the Grand Canyon before. I had this gut feeling that I should go for it regardless of my doubts, so I did. Anything is possible!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Grew up with her grandparents on a Navajo reservation with no running water or electricity. It was really hard for me when I entered high school because I got made fun of for the way I looked, the way I talked.
I am the first in my immediate family to attend college/university. I had to learn to listen to the people around me saying that I could do it.
I am a recovering alcoholic. It became a problem for me in college, because I felt like I had to keep up with my friends. I was also in an accident that led me to drink more. I was hurting myself even more and I didn't realize it.