Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Started out right of college as a supervising field archaeologist in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
After 3.5 years tried to find a job in Belgium but could not find work so moved to US!
Started as a temp at the UIHC as a medical secretary and ended up being hired for this position.
Decided on a career change and moved to UI International Programs!
After 5.5 years made the jump to Pearson, first as an executive secretary and got promoted to PM.
In April 2016 my whole department got cut at Pearson, so I made the transition to ACT!
Started as an executive secretary again and landed my current position in Jan 2017!
And who knows what the future will bring!
Keep following my journey

Career

Program Manager, State Organizations

I develop, maintain, and track information and program activities of the ACT State Organizations effort.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Learning / Being Challenged

Day to Day

Every day is different! I work with my State Organizations team members on organizing events, creating newsletters and marketing materials, and work on special projects. I get to work with people from all over the company which helps me to built vital relationships to be able to complete tasks in an efficient and effective manner!

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Sometimes the focus is too much on the destination right out of college instead of on the journey and what makes you happy as an individual. Do not let success be defined by the title you hold but by the respect you receive from your peers and what value you add to your workplace. Enjoy your career journey, learn from your mistakes, when you fail get up and try again and never pass up an opportunity to completely step out of your comfort zone! That is where all the learning happens!

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"You should not study to be an archaeologist because it does not make any money. You will not be able to find any other jobs if you decide to step out of doing archaeology."

Challenges I Overcame

Cultural