Ellin McDonough
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC USA
"Do not settle for being a cog in a wheel. Find opportunities to partner, train, develop, and innovate."
Career Roadmap
Ellin's work combines: Education, Business, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Orangeburg Wilkinson High
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology
Winthrop University
Graduate Degree
Master of Education, Counseling
Winthrop University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Director of Career and Civic Engagement:
Bachelor's Degree: Psychology
Graduate Degree: Master of Education, Counseling
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Graduated with a degree in Psychology, but did not know what I would do with it. So I went to graduate school.
2.
In graduate school, interned with Mental Health, though was never fully confident. Started working there straight after graduate school. Lasted six months before quitting. Maybe do social work?
3.
Took a job in which I trained foster parents to care for children who had medical and emotional difficulties. Hard work, and I was angry with the foster care system. Quit.
4.
Took supervisor job for DSS at another county and was much happier with job. Liked being in a role where I had more control, and could mentor other social workers.
5.
Adopted children and realized I could not work for DSS and parent effectively. Ran my own adoptions business for a while. Worried I would not be able to strike a work/life balance.
6.
Never considered myself in education, but landed a job (networking) in which I teach students to explore social justice issues and support faculty/community partnerships. Wrote grants. Reports, Data.
7.
Never felt more satisfied-working with people who share purpose. This is important for me. After 10 years, was asked to step in as Director for Career and Civic Engagement, was promoted permanently.
8.
Have had to work really hard to get up to speed with Career Development/Workforce trends. I love learning so I did this rather quickly. I love my job!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You will not make any money working for the state/There is a lot of turnover/Do you really want to listen to people's problems all day/Higher Ed is full of drama/Working the same place you graduated from is incestuous
How I responded:
Identify the things that you like to do in your work- what the specific tasks you get to complete and the work you find most interesting- consider how your work makes a difference in the world- in small and big ways. If you focus on your passions and interests, it doesn't matter where you work. Turnover- office gossip- workplace drama happens everywhere, but if you remain focused it will seem less important and counterproductive.