Career Roadmap
Alton's work combines: Business, Education, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Waxahachie
Bachelor's Degree
Accounting
Texas A&M - Commerce
Graduate Degree
Education, General
The University of Texas at Arlington
Certification
Accounting
American Institute of CPAs
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors:
Bachelor's Degree: Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You will not make money in education
How I responded:
So I got a degree in accounting. I made money and was reasonably successful but not happy. After 20 years I quit, went back to college and became an English teacher. I loved this career but my skill sets are more valuable to my school as an administrator. I now work as academic adviser, helping students develop graduation plans, and testing/accountability director, interpreting Texas requirements for STAAR testing and helping my school become the best it can be.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I owe everything to a teacher in high school who would not let me miss out on college. This allowed me a lot of firsts: first college graduate, first business professional, first to work overseas, and first to become a teacher. Full circle!