Career Roadmap
Dorothy's work combines: Business, Writing, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Walter Johnson - Rockville, Md.
Bachelor's Degree
Social Studies Teacher Education
University of Maryland-College Park
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Graduate Degree: Business Administration and Management, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Taught high school social studies for 3 years but did not like.
2.
Took part-time public opinion interview job and loved it.
3.
Worked as paralegal in several law firms-fun.
4.
Became recruiter for legal professionals and VP in international search firm.
5.
Used a career coach and decided to become certified as a career coach.
6.
Started my own company - Andrew Grace Associates.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
You have to graduate from a paralegal school if you want to become a paralegal. You do not have enough money to start your own company. You are too old to change careers.
How I responded:
I overcame the negative comments through a creative solution about my lack of paralegal school education. I agreed to flexible hours and no benefits. This later changed to full-time with benefits! I researched starting my own company and asked for help from professionals who were willing to provide free advice and services. In turn, I recommended their services to many others. Win/win. I did not believe the noise about being too old. I was confident I could make the transition successfully.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Determined how I could get discounted services or make partial payments to get coach training. I asked for help in finding a creative solution. Asking for help was the most effective solution.
This was always a challenge but I "felt the fear and did it anyway" "Fake it till you make it" idea. I loved the work and was curious about how to be better. I was careful to choose work environments where there were positive people.
I asked lots of questions and never pretended to know the answers when I was unsure. I listened and reflected back what I understood I needed to do. I owned up to mistakes, not covered them up.