A Day In The Life: Doug Hoskinson

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Iowa. I was raised on a livestock farm 30 miles west of Davenport, IA, called Bennett, IA. The small town was less than 1200 people and the high school I attended was K – 12 all in one building. My high school graduation in 1993 was 11 classmates!

Where do you live?

I live in St. Paul, MN.

Who do you live with?

I live with my husband, Bruce, and our 2 cats, who are brother and sister…Loki & Dot.

What is your occupation?

I am currently a student going back to school to become an RN which is a career passion of mine. I am attending school at Rasmussen University in Bloomington, MN and currently in their accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. My graduation date is 12/20/2025! That is going to be a great Christmas present! LOL

When did you come out?

I knew at around the age of 11 or 12, right around 6^th grade, that I was different. In junior high and high school, I figured it out from taking a health class that I was gay. Being raised in a small farming town then, I was afraid to come out and my environment was not conducive or supportive in me being gay. I waited until my freshman year of college, 18 years old, to come out.

How’d that go?

A weight was lifted off my shoulders. I can be me and live authentically. I told myself and others that I was gay and if they didn’t like me, their loss. Being gay does not make up all of who I am, it is just one part of me. My best friend from college, Heidi, and I created the first LGB support group on a private, Catholic university! LGBTQIA was not even talked about back then. We wanted to give safe space to others who could identify with us.

When do you wake up?

Each day around 7am. Dot and Loki remind us at that time as well that they are hungry.

Phone alarm or old school alarm?

Phone alarm for both of us.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Routine is…feed the kitties, clean the litter box, wash my hands & sit for coffee.

Breakfast?

Typically, no. On occasion I may have a banana, yogurt or oatmeal or we may go out for breakfast.

Coffee?

Yes. I drink one cup of coffee each morning and that’s it. The rest of the day it is water.

Cream or no?

Heck yeah! Coffee Mate hazelnut creamer. Yummo!

How do you spend your commute?

I listen to Spotify in the truck and love listening to music! Otherwise, mentally preparing for the school day or for an exam.

What do you nerd out for (gaming, music, history, etc.)?

New music Friday on Spotify!

What music have you been digging lately?

I have a few artists or bands recently that I hit repeat on such as…Primo the Alien, Kali J, Dance Yourself Clean and Sophie & The Giants. Otherwise, if I did not download any new music than I go to my favorites which are ‘80s music, Depeche Mode and Garbage.

Is your workspace tidy or a hot mess?

Tidy. I like to keep my study space clean and free of clutter.

What’s been your favorite job?

I have 2 jobs that I enjoyed up to this point in my professional career. The first was a trainer at a financial investments firm in downtown Minneapolis training colleagues on how to listen to recorded calls and how to use the call recording application. So much fun! The second was an account manager managing/supervising teammates and COVID-19 testing sites in Los Angeles County and doing that from my home in St. Paul during the pandemic. This was very rewarding for me.

Favorite weeknight meal: Go out, take out, or cook in?

We enjoy going out once or twice a week and the majority of the time we cook in. Bruce is an amazing cook and some of the dishes he whips up are soooooo good!

On a usual weeknight, you are doing what?

Studying. Not very exciting, I know. I am studying until 8pm, sometimes 8:30pm and then call it a night. I need to give my brain a break.

Bedtime?

Between 10pm – 11pm.

Favorite weekend activity?

Socializing with chosen family and friends.

What are you most proud of, and why?

I turn 50 next year and making this huge career change at mid-life is exciting and scary all at the same time. We are never too old to learn and never too old to seek out our passion in what makes us happy. I am proud of myself in pushing through this uncomfortable time and knowing that it is all well worth it in the end.

Words of wisdom to share:

Life is too short not to be happy and we are never promised tomorrow. When I am with friends or chosen family, I like to toast with them and I end with saying, “Here is to friendship, love and happiness. Until next time.”