Nation Hahn
John M. Belk Endowment
San Diego, CA USA
"We tend to think of [careers] as a ladder. . . when instead it’s a whole lot more like a jungle gym."
Career Roadmap
Nation's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Communications
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, I jumped into political campaigns, eager to understand how people and systems create change.
2.
My interest in environmental issues led me to the Sierra Club, where I explored policy and advocacy work firsthand.
3.
A blog I started about professional sports unexpectedly opened the door to a startup football league, where I learned digital media and entrepreneurship.
4.
When that startup ended, I found my way to a design-thinking firm and discovered the power of solving problems through collaboration and creativity.
5.
After experiencing profound personal losses, I reevaluated how I spent my time and decided to commit to work that felt meaningful and aligned with my values.
6.
I joined some friends, helped launch an education-focused nonprofit, and spent the next decade working to improve education and opportunity.
7.
Today, I help strengthen postsecondary education across North Carolina, building trusted relationships that create pathways to good jobs and brighter futures.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I come from a low-income family. Not having the same background, stories, and resources as others instilled quite a bit of doubt in me while I was growing up.