Career Roadmap
Luyen's work combines: Education, Technology, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Figure out what you're most passionate about. The passion is the most important part. Once you figure that out, the jobs and careers will follow. I think it's also important to identify the specific skills you'll need to be successful with that passion. Then take time to develop those skills.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Philosophy
Harvard University
Graduate Degree
Educational Leadership
Teachers College, Columbia University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Chief Learning Officer:
Bachelor's Degree: Philosophy
Graduate Degree: Educational Leadership
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Both of my parents and my grandparents all worked in education, so I decided early on that I didn’t want to do the same.
2.
After college, my high school asked me to come back and teach.
3.
I thought I would only teach for a year or so, but once I started teaching, I really fell in love with it—from then on, I’ve spent my career in various facets of education.
4.
I’ve worked as an educator, education administrator, and in product and technology for education-based organizations like SchoolNet and Pearson.
5.
Now I work as the chief learning officer for 2U, where I get to help colleges transform traditional learning programs into powerful digital experiences.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
You can't be an educator and have other passions in your career. You have to choose.
How I responded:
I didn't initially intend to become an educator because I didn't think I could still be involved in my other passions. I loved marine biology and astronomy as a kid and didn't see how I could keep those passions as a teacher. I thought I had to choose. Now, it's clear to me that you can mix both by teaching those other passions. One of my favorite parts about teaching was being able to convey my love and passion for other subjects to my students. It turns out that they were never incompatible!