Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

Executive Program Director


YouthBuild

New York, NY USA


A lot of us think that happiness will arrive at our doorstep one day, but it's actually work- we have to make a plan for our happiness, be willing to make it happen, and know that we deserve it.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Jennifer Lawrence

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.
During her first semester of college, her father died unexpectedly.
Before that, her childhood had been relatively free of conflict; after her father's death, she says "everything seemed bad."
She returned to school and told her professors that she couldn't study for her midterms.
Her professors told her, "No, you're not going to get a free pass; you're going to take these tests tomorrow."
Those professors taught her that in life, you have to keep moving, because no one is going to stop and wait up for you.
She went on to get her master's degree in business; always planned to work at a for-profit company.
However, she heard about a YouthBuild program starting in her city and decided to join; from her very first day on the job, she "felt like she was home."
Encourages young adults to set realistic goals, find mentors who can advise them on how to achieve those goals, and then relentlessly follow their advice.
Keep following my journey

Career

Executive Program Director

I help provide a safe loving environment for young people to transform their lives and communities.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Entrepreneurship
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People

Day to Day

My work includes the creation and oversight of YouthBuild Schenectady and the ongoing expansion of our social enterprise services. My main focus is on building sustainability and infrastructure, with special attention to programming that provides a participatory learning environment, models high expectations, incorporates youth voice, and creates future hope.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

You have to suck it up and keep moving. No one is going to stop and wait up for you.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

undergrad
Bachelor
Social Work
graduate
Graduate
Social Work

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Family:

"You're not going to make any money! Why don't you just be a receptionist? "

Challenges I Overcame

Death and Loss
First-Generation College Student

Interviewed By

Ready to Rise

Ready to Rise

Confronting systemic barriers to success