Career Roadmap
Kathy's work combines: Education, Government, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
San Marcos High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science and Government, General
Baylor University
Graduate Degree
Public Administration
St. Mary's University
Graduate Degree
Law
St. Mary's University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Education Administrators, Postsecondary:
Bachelor's Degree: Women's Studies
Graduate Degree: Public Administration
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I applied to Baylor early and was accepted by October of my senior year of high school. As a first-generation college student, I was excited to begin my educational path.
2.
I was accepted for a competitive paid internship my junior year of college. I had no relevant work experience and no connections, so I didn't think my chances were that great.
3.
I took a year off after college to serve in an AmeriCorps program focused on education. This experience led me to want to focus on increasing access to education.
4.
My first semester of law school was so hard that I wanted to quit so I applied to graduate school as a backup plan. I got in and decided to get a joint degree.
5.
I was accepted into fellowship for recent graduates of law/graduate programs in Washington, DC. I was able to rotate to different city agencies and gain invaluable work experiences.
6.
After 4 years in DC, I moved back to Texas and spent a year free-lancing while applying for jobs. I eventually was hired for a position working with a college readiness program at a nonprofit.
7.
I accepted a job with a statewide organization and I was excited to take my work to a higher level. However, I felt disconnected from the work I really wanted to do at a more local level.
8.
I found a position that allows me to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders and is directly tied to improving access to education.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
Why go to law school if you aren't going to practice law? Why put yourself through that? I heard this from a variety of people.
How I responded:
I originally wanted to go to law school to become an attorney. During college I interned with a state legislator's research and policy team. I learned that most of the staff had graduated from law school and felt that the skills they learned were transferable to a variety of careers. I'm not going to lie--law school was incredibly hard! However, I was challenged in a way that made me realize how much I am capable of doing all while improving my skills in critical analysis and writing.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I didn't know what to expect and was overwhelmed at times. I felt like if I didn't succeed that I would let my family down, so I found resources to help me understand all I didn't know about attending college. Don't be afraid to ask questions.