Katie Jenner
Indiana Department of Education
Indianapolis, IN USA
"Everyone’s path looks different and that’s not only okay, that’s a really good thing."
Career Roadmap
Katie's work combines: Education, Politics, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Do everything you can to explore different career opportunities. Meet people who can teach you something new about a career you didn't know about. Get comfortable asking adults about their jobs. Find out what they like and don't like about it. If you come out of a conversation about a certain career and you find that you're still interested in it, keep digging, lean in, and explore it more.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Business Administration and Management
Transylvania University
Graduate Degree
Education
University of Kentucky
Doctorate
Educational Leadership and Administration
University of Kentucky
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management
Indiana State University - Scott College of Business
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
In high school, I participated in a work-based learning experience, through which I learned that I was interested in both education and policy work.
2.
I had initially planned to go to college and then continue on to law school but while in college, I realized that the education field called to me more.
3.
After graduating with a degree in business administration and management, I went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a doctor of education in educational leadership and administration.
4.
I started as a school administrator for Madison Consolidated Schools and worked my way up to assistant superintendent.
5.
I then worked as the vice president of K-12 initiatives and statewide partnerships for Ivy Tech Community College.
6.
I spent a year and a half serving as senior education advisor to Governor Eric J. Holcomb before moving into my current position as secretary of education for the state of Indiana.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Is this the right path? Am I doing enough? Should I look at something else?
How I responded:
I don't know of any person who doesn't go through a time in their life where they question if they're on the right path. These questions are very normal. We need to give ourselves room to reflect and grow. When you're experiencing these moments of stress, anxiety, and questioning, it's important to take that moment to think about what makes sense next, then put one foot in front of the other and do the best that you can.