Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
I started at UT Arlington to become an architect. I had drafting classes in high school and thought that designing buildings and bridges could become my life.
Math! Tough math! I was not prepared for the math architects need. I longed to become a teacher but changed to accounting because it paid better. I had a class in accounting in high school.
I transferred to A&M Commerce to be with my girlfriend and got my degree. The job market was good and I had several offers to choose from. I started work in downtown Dallas.
I earned my CPA and worked for 20 years in corporate accounting. I had a great career - I traveled, had a staff of 50+ people, even worked in Australia for 4 years. But it never felt complete.
I missed education. So I quit my job and go back to school at 45. It was tough but fun. I was often the oldest in class by 15 years but I was back in an environment I loved.
I started interviewing and it wasn't easy. I had to convince people who spent a career in education that a former accountant could really teach English.
Another stroke of luck - I ended up teaching where my mom attended high school. A little eerie. But I quickly proved that I knew my stuff and loved what I was doing.
My work and life experiences have made me a good fit in my job. I am good with words and numbers, interpreting scores, reports and laws and explaining them to others I feel I found where I belong.

Career

Academic Adviser / Testing Coordinator

I help students develop plans for graduating high school that prepare them to pursue career goals (among other things!)

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Education
Problem Solving

Day to Day

My typical day depends on the time of the school year. In July / August i am completing student schedules, making sure they take the classes they need. In November I work with administrators to interpret the school's ratings. In December and early spring I am testing coordinator and work with teachers on STAAR testing. And in may i am preparing diplomas, checking to make sure students get all of the awards and accolades they deserve.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Begin preparing while you are in high school. Read - there is nothing that prepares your mind like reading does. It helped with high school and college classes, SAT and CPA tests, and everything that came after. Second, ask people about what do and how happy they are. Money is important but happiness is essential. Finally, always be looking down the road. Changing jobs and careers can be intimidating but the experience you gain prepares you for the next opportunity.

Recommended Education

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

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Family:

"You will not make money in education"

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation College Student