Rob Kadel
Strada Institute for the Future of Work
Chamblee, GA USA
"Who you know is just as important as what you know."
Career Roadmap
Rob's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Lakewood High School
Bachelor's Degree
B.A.
Eckerd College
Graduate Degree
M.A.
Emory University
Doctorate
Ph.D.
Emory University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Senior Research Fellow:
Bachelor's Degree: B.A.
Graduate Degree: M.A.
Doctorate: Ph.D.
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I thought I wanted to become a college professor. But I came up against so many massive egos in academia that I left after the first year. I returned 10 years later, but only for part-time teaching.
2.
Experience is as important as education. I finished my doctorate at age 27. I thought I was wise. I wasn't. I bounced around in a few uninteresting jobs until I found my groove.
3.
Starting my own educational research consulting firm was risky. I had to learn to network like crazy. And it was not stable income - feast or famine.
4.
After six months on one full-time project, I had a falling out with the client and was fired. It was humiliating. But it also taught me about the kind of boss I wanted to be.
5.
Don't necessarily seek out the most ambitious people to network with. Seek out those with the best hearts. They'll support you in finding new work after a devastating blow like being fired.
6.
Work for companies/organizations whose mission you believe in. After I closed my consulting firm, I found a great company that worked in education and had fun, dedicated people.
7.
I took a job in academia again, but not as a professor. I was a researcher. That helped me steer clear of some of the egos I had experienced previously. (Some, but not all.)
8.
When you interview for a job, remember that you're interviewing them, too. I was about to make a big career shift, and I wanted to make sure it was with people and an organization I believe in.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Friends:
You can't do much with a sociology doctorate other than teach.
How I responded:
At first, I believed it, and I took the first teaching position I could find. I didn't fit in well with that department, so I bailed after a year and ended up working in marketing research for a couple of years. I went into education research, and eventually, I started my own educational research consulting firm, which I ran for seven years. The key to success was networking -- meet everyone you can, learn from them. Who you know is still as important as what you know.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I struggle with depression and anxiety. On one occasion (at a previous job), a project had become so overwhelming, I started to lose control. The key to overcoming that challenge was to learn to say 'no' and establish work-life balance.