Cassi Zumbiel
The Manufacturing Institute
Washington, D.C., USA
"Who knew that there were people who got to solve problems every day and work with communities to do workforce development and help people to get into careers?"
Career Roadmap
Cassi's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Business, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Oftentimes people don't realize how many people second chance and fair chance initiatives could help. There's a tendency to think it's only something we see on TV. They don't think it affects their community and their neighbors. It very likely does. Sharing real stories and giving people the facts helps greatly when trying to pull leaders and organizations into this work. One in four Americans have a criminal record. This work impacts all communities. On top of that, it's the right thing to do.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Communication-Public Relations
North Carolina State University
Graduate Degree
Public Administration
North Carolina State University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a family with roots in manufacturing.
2.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations from North Carolina State University and continued on to earn my master’s degree in public administration.
3.
During grad school, I did an internship with the NC Chamber, which represents the business community in North Carolina—through that internship, I learned all about workforce development.
4.
Upon graduating and completing my internship, I stayed with the NC Chamber and worked as a policy development manager.
5.
After a few years with the NC Chamber, I moved to Washington, D.C. to work for The Manufacturing Institute, which is the education and workforce partner to the National Association of Manufacturers.
6.
I started with The Manufacturing Institute as a workforce programs manager and now work as the director of workforce initiatives.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Your work doesn't affect me. It's not my issue.
How I responded:
Oftentimes people don't realize how many people second chance and fair chance initiatives could help. There's a tendency to think it's only something we see on TV. They don't think it affects their community and their neighbors. It very likely does. Sharing real stories and giving people the facts helps greatly when trying to pull leaders and organizations into this work. One in four Americans have a criminal record. This work impacts all communities. On top of that, it's the right thing to do.