Chris James
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)
Phoenix, AZ USA
"You will never always make the right decision…but you have to live with the decisions you make and move ahead."
Career Roadmap
Chris's work combines: Business, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
A friend encouraged me to apply for a job in Washington, DC. My response was that they wouldn't hire someone like me and he told me, "You'll never know if you don't try." To my surprise, I applied and was hired! I would tell others that while it's helpful to seek out networks to support you, it's also important to build up your own self-confidence to work for the goals you want to achieve.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Communications
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduate Degree
Entrepreneurship
Western Carolina University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I was born and raised in western North Carolina and spent a lot of time working in my family’s small businesses on the Qualla Boundary for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
2.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
3.
After graduating, I moved back home and worked for my dad for a few years.
4.
I served on various committees and really enjoyed being part of the economic development strategy for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
5.
I had the opportunity to help develop a community development financial institution, which provided tribal loans to business owners.
6.
After a couple of years working for the loan fund, I moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the U.S. Department of Treasury.
7.
I spent two years working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and then transitioned to a leadership role at the U.S. Small Business Administration.
8.
I eventually moved to Arizona to lead the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, a nonprofit established to help provide resources to Native American businesses.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
They won't hire someone from Cherokee, North Carolina, to go work in Washington, DC.
How I responded:
A friend encouraged me to apply for a job in Washington, DC. My response was that they wouldn't hire someone like me and he told me, "You'll never know if you don't try." To my surprise, I applied and was hired! I would tell others that while it's helpful to seek out networks to support you, it's also important to build up your own self-confidence to work for the goals you want to achieve.