Alicia Lindgren
CollegeLab
"Stay true to yourself, and choose a job that showcases - rather than masks - your persona."
Career Roadmap
Alicia's work combines: Education, Entrepreneurship, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Phillips Exeter Academy
Bachelor's Degree
Government
Dartmouth College
Graduate Degree
Master of Business Administration
Columbia University
Certification
College Counseling
University of California, Los Angeles
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a CEO:
Bachelor's Degree: Government
Graduate Degree: Master of Business Administration
Certification: College Counseling
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I turned being small - I am 5'1" tall - into an advantage by becoming a coxswain for my high school's rowing team. I gained leadership skills and learned how to motivate peers.
2.
I chose banking as my first job because it was the highest paying job offer that I had. I took a chance, as I was not sure what it really entailed.
3.
The bank offered to pay for my graduate degree in business as a reward for my hard work. It was sometimes grueling to work full time and go to business school. but it was worth it.
4.
When one of my banking clients offered me a job, I was nervous about taking it because it involved a big step up in responsibility. I took it, and learned that through challenges we grow the most.
5.
I had to quit my job at the height of my career in finance because my commute was three hours every day, and I did not have the child care that I needed. This was a tough moment.
6.
Raising children and being involved in the public schools and community at large was more fulfilling than I imagined, and ultimately it led me to learning about college counseling.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You have too much "ruth". I was told in this way that I needed to be more ruthless.
How I responded:
A former supervisor told me that even though I was successful in my work, I needed to be more ruthless in order to advance. But I did not want to give up my values. When I was able to make a career change, I became a college counselor. Now I love what I do every day: helping others! No ruthlessness required. Stay true to yourself, and choose a job that showcases - rather than masks - your persona.