Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Born to immigrant parents and watched and benefited from their sacrifices.
Psychology major, researched biases & came to understand that systems help perpetuate bias.
Moved to Washington, DC for graduate school.
More research and work with marginalized communities.
Came out...
Moved to Boston to start a new social service program.
Continued to develop and grow the program.
Secured our 1st Federal grant; a demonstration grant awarded to only 26 grantees nationally.

Education

High School
Bachelor
Mount St. Mary's College
Graduate
Psychology, General
Mount St. Mary's College

Career

Director, CONNECT and Resident Asset Development

I design social service programs that help families achieve financial stability.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Government
Working with Others

Day to Day

At this point, I talk a lot. I manage a collaboration of 6 organizations that each represent different sectors and interests and I manage a staff of 10. When I'm not checking email or writing a report, I'm usually in a meeting talking about: data, outcome and impact measurements; funding or partnering.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

Get some practical experience. Volunteer with an organization, get to know the employees, the clients they serve and the sector. There are huge differences in organizational cultures - non-profit vs. government vs. for-profit - understanding the cultural differences between them is important. Organizational culture can either stymie or launch your career. Get to know what might be a good fit for you while there is less at stake.

Recommended Education

My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Parents:

"You should make us proud and be a doctor."

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation Immigrant
First-Generation College Student