Michael Baldwin Jr.
Grads of Life
Seattle, WA USA
"There are no limitations on what you can dream."
Career Roadmap
Michael's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
In the tech world, you don't necessarily need a college degree. Certifications are a more cost-effective way to build skills and break into tech. However, if you have C-suite aspirations, it may be a good idea to pursue a bachelor's degree and MBA. I recommend taking a moment to map out what exactly it is that you want. Build a vision board. Figure out what you want first and then map the route it takes to get there.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Vocational
Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law
Year Up
Associate's Degree
General Studies
Peirce College
Bachelor's Degree
Project Management
Peirce College
Certification
Nonprofit Management
Peirce College
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
After high school, I worked odd jobs before joining the Year Up program’s finance track, opening the door to corporate America.
2.
I earned an internship at Comcast NBCUniversal, building business analysis skills and industry connections.
3.
I then returned to Year Up as a coordinator and was later promoted to leadership roles, which moved me to Seattle, Washington.
4.
I decided to continue my education, earning an associate degree and then a bachelor’s degree in project management—I’m also pursuing my master’s degree and plan to go for a doctorate as well.
5.
I found my passion in serving young adults, helping them gain skills, internships, and life-changing opportunities.
6.
Now I work as an associate director at Grads of Life, the consultancy arm of Year Up, where I help fortune 500 companies improve their sourcing, hiring, and retention.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I went into the workforce after high school because my father was disabled and my mother was incarcerated. It was a dark time. I struggled with depression and lacked direction. My faith and the support of my community is what pushed me forward.