How I got my job: Josh Ortiz

Age: 25

Home: St. Paul
Job: Community programs coordinator, Minnesota Twins.

Salary: $30,000 to $50,000

What do you do? I help coordinate the youth baseball and softball outreach programs of the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Twins Community Fund. I also assist with Twins community events such as the Twins Winter Caravan and Twins Fest.

Education: Bachelor's degrees in neuroscience and psychology from Macalester College

How'd you get your job? I was working for the Brain Sciences Center at the University of Minnesota, in a primate research lab, when I saw applications for internships with the Twins. I grew up with baseball and played all the way through college at Macalester. I applied for an internship. I was offered a position and decided to leave my job with the university.

What was your first job? My first real job was at the Brain Sciences Center at the University of Minnesota. After I graduated, I was a junior scientist in Dr. Matt Chafee's cognitive neuroscience research lab. We were investigating the cognitive impairments in schizophrenia and trying to understand the causes and possible treatments of the disease. I was responsible for training our monkeys . I learned that monkeys are not cute like they are on TV and in the movies. These monkeys had no problem biting and scratching me, but they loved me when I had a handful of treats.

How do people react when they find out you work for the Twins? They ask if I know Joe Mauer and then they ask if I can get them tickets. I have met Joe Mauer -- nice guy -- and maybe I can arrange some tickets for you.

Dream job: My career is in Major League Baseball and I aspire to someday be a general manager. I know it's a lofty goal because there are only 30 general managers in Major League Baseball.

Favorite part of the job: In some other jobs, success is measured by how much money one makes or some other quantifiable way, but in my job it's hard to put a value on a smile from a kid or a family that has benefited from one of our programs. I am in a position to help kids and help change their lives.

AIMEE BLANCHETTE