Karin Norington-Reaves
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
Chicago, IL USA
"You have value and limitless potential. Don’t let anyone stomp on that or make you think that you are not enough."
Career Roadmap
Karin's work combines: Education, Government, and Helping People
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Research! Be curious. Learn about the industry, identify people in it, and read about their journeys. In this digital age you can access almost anyone. Reach out to people, do informational interviews, make contacts. If you find it hard getting the initial job in the industry, volunteer at an organization in the field. Building a network of professionals in the field, coupled with building a reputation as a dedicated, curious, hard worker will all eventually lead to opportunity.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Hispanic Studies—Spanish Language and Literature, with a concentration in Portuguese and Italian
Northwestern University
Doctorate
Law
Southern Methodist University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
My parents divorced by the time I was two years old, so I was raised by my mom as a single parent—she worked hard, long hours and wasn’t home often, but I also had support from my extended family.
2.
I started working in retail when I was about 15 years old, which was my first exposure to professional responsibility.
3.
I got into my dream school, Northwestern University, for my bachelor’s degree and was the second African American student government president!
4.
After graduating, I joined Teach for America and was selected to teach in Compton, California, during the Los Angeles riots—I realized that some of the most brilliant students were underserved.
5.
I eventually left to go to law school and fulfill my dream of becoming a lawyer so that I could make a bigger and more systemic impact.
6.
I got a job at the Department of Justice and was hoping to get promoted to the civil rights department, but my dreams were crushed when I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder.
7.
I moved back home to Chicago, regained my health, and went back to work—I held a variety of jobs that ultimately led me to aid the merge of the city and county’s workforce development efforts.
8.
I now work as the CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Development Partnership, helping to create career opportunities for overlooked individuals with untapped potential.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You won't be any better of a lawyer than you are a teacher.
How I responded:
When I was a teacher, I had a principal who used negative motivation. When I told her that I was leaving to become a lawyer, she said, "You won't be any better of a lawyer than you are a teacher." I journaled a lot, and still do sometimes. This helped me process my feelings and get clarity. It allowed me to cut through the noise and get to my center. I also read affirmations and inspirational sayings that motivated me.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I struggled during my first year of law school. I missed the students I taught through Teach for America. I cried often and didn't know if I made the right decision. My former students sent me hand-drawn encouraging pictures, which got me through it.
While working as a litigator, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and lost my dream job. I was housebound, devastated, and had to move back home. It took a while, but I regained my health and went back to work.