Jennifer Young
Director of Partnerships
Roadtrip Nation
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I had no clue what I wanted to do after college and took a job as a paralegal in a law firm having zero interest in law. I was bored to tears.
I then thought I would get into sales and marketing because that’s what my dad did so I sold textbooks for a publishing company and stayed in that industry for 16 years.
While going through a divorce, I decided it was time to start a new life and moved to Aspen, CO.
In Aspen I was Editor-in-Chief of a lifestyle magazine which I loved but paid very little then I became Executive Director of a health and wellness nonprofit for a few years.
Then I had an opportunity to sell centuries-old restored villas in Tuscany and moved to Italy for six years and worked with fascinating clients from all over the world.
I got totally burned out selling real estate and through my personal network got a job in the states with the PGA TOUR without knowing much about golf. It was not a good fit.
My stepfather was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and I got a job fundraising for a nonprofit that opened my heart and made me want to spend the rest of my life helping underserved kids succeed.
Then a friend introduced me to Roadtrip Nation where I am combining the skills I have gained, the network I have built, and my passion for helping kids.
Education
High School
Darien High School, Darien, CT
Darien High School, Darien, CT
Bachelor
Double major - International Relations & French
University of Virginia
Double major - International Relations & French
University of Virginia
Career
Director of Partnerships
I build relationships with corporate and foundation partners to help more people find careers they'll love
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People
Day to Day
I work from home which I love, and I travel a lot meeting with partners and prospects and attending conferences. Every day is different and I am always juggling a lot of balls. I research companies and foundations, find ways to connect with the right decision makers, figure out if / how we can work together, negotiate partner terms, and manage the relationships at a high level.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Number one: hands down: Talk to people actively working in the job you want. If you can't get to those people yourself, find people who can help you get to them.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
Double major - International Relations & French
Double major - International Relations & French
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"Some people have told me I have an overly positive attitude, calling me a "Pollyanna" and saying things like "You're too enthusiastic" and telling me that what I want to do is not realistic."
Challenges I Overcame
Fear of failure
