Nancy Lue
Valhalla Foundation
Austin, TX USA
"Building a career is not a linear process. It’s about learning and trying new things along the way."
Career Roadmap
Nancy's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
As you move through your career keep these four things in mine: what are you passionate about? What are you good at? What kind of positive impact can you have? And how does it fit into your family's life?
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Harvard University
Graduate Degree
Education Policy, Management, and Administration
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, I learned early how to navigate schools and opportunities on my own.
2.
Mentors encouraged me to try new experiences, from journalism camps to science internships, helping me discover what energized me most.
3.
In college, I realized I loved working with people and helping students who were navigating paths similar to mine.
4.
My first job in management consulting gave me strong business skills, but every education project pulled at my heart a little more.
5.
I followed that passion into education organizations, learning how business, operations, and strategy could improve opportunities for students.
6.
I worked at the U.S. Department of Education, which challenged me to learn policy from the ground up while serving a mission I deeply believed in.
7.
I moved to Silicon Valley and transitioned into venture capital, where I explored how technology and innovation could reshape education.
8.
Joining the Valhalla Foundation as one of its earliest employees gave me the chance to combine decades of learning into work that expands opportunity for students nationwide.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
You should be in lock-step working toward a stable, predictable job.
How I responded:
As the child of immigrants, the linear career path to a stable, predictable job was very much ingrained in me from an early age. It took a lot of good mentoring, encouragement, and exploration for me to realize that building a career isn't a linear process. It's about learning and trying new things. Just make sure you're continuing to build skills along the way.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
As the daughter of Chinese immigrants who didn't understand the language, I had to learn how to navigate school on my own. Fortunately, I found support in mentors who helped me explore different interests and opportunities.