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Michelle Cadwell

Michelle Cadwell

Genesis Motor North America

Fountain Valley, CA USA

"I earned my opportunities and drew my own path around every obstacle that life has given me so far. This has offered me the ability of perseverance, tenacity, and character you cannot teach in school."

Career Roadmap

Michelle's work combines: Entrepreneurship, Writing, and Working with Others

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Day In The Life

Executive Assistant

I am the assistant to the CEO of Genesis Motor North America.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    History, General

    California State University, Fullerton

  • Graduate Degree

    Public/Applied History

    California State University, Fullerton

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Executive Assistant :

Bachelor's Degree: History, General

Graduate Degree: Public/Applied History

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    My parents were incarcerated when I was 10 years old and spent almost 10 years in federal prison.

  • 2.

    Entered Foster Care when last living relative.

  • 3.

    I went to around over eight different middle schools in Missouri, Colorado, and California and three different high schools.

  • 4.

    Applying to Cal State Fullerton to become a high school history teacher, was accepted into Guardian Scholars Program. This program at CSUF promotes higher education degree for former foster youth.

  • 5.

    Then deciding to not become a teacher in my senior year while completing prep course work for the credential program.

  • 6.

    Began executive assisting C-Level with a CEO of a tennis ball machine company after the recession took many teaching jobs away. I continue writing on the behalf of Executives 13-years later.

  • 7.

    Is an Executive Assistant to Mark Del Rosso, CEO of Genesis Motor North America, and Erwin T Raphael, COO of Genesis Motor America.

  • 8.

    I recently became a 1st-time mother of Tank Valentine. Learning how to balance a career and a being a mom.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    I felt discouraged from reaching my higher education goals due to impostor syndrome. I still face this constantly as I try to evolve my career and personal goals. Telling myself "you do not have 100% of what "they" are looking for..."

  • How I responded:

    I reminded during my graduate career from a mentor that I deserved the space and accolades that I have always received. I did not cheat or buy my way into any of these opportunities. I earned them and drew my own path around every obstacle that life has given me so far. This has offered me the ability of perseverance, tenacity, and character you cannot teach in school. These key characteristics have allowed me to excel in every opportunity I have been given. I deserve to be in this space.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I overcame my obstacle of being put into the foster system twice in my life by utilizing the independence and responsibility that I gained from her experience in my occupation today.

  • I have learned that my parents' mistakes and how people caged me and my future abilities did not dictate how my life was going to turn out. I have to continue to learn how to deal with a family system that has been torn apart by these challenges.