Michelle Aldrich
State of Wyoming
Cheyenne, WY USA
"My philosophy is, 'Better late than never!'"
Career Roadmap
Michelle's work combines: Education, Government, and Working with Others
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Cheyenne East High School
Bachelor's Degree
Secondary Education and Teaching
University of Wyoming
Graduate Degree
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
University of Wyoming
Doctorate
Adult Learning & Technology
University of Wyoming
Certification
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
University of Wyoming
Vocational
Real Estate
Jones Real Estate School
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a State CTE Director:
Bachelor's Degree: Secondary Education and Teaching
Graduate Degree: Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
Doctorate: Adult Learning & Technology
Certification: Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Vocational: Real Estate
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Dropped out of college after 1 year to work at Mountain Bell which later became AT&T
2.
Studied for my real estate license and multi-line insurance license to make a career change
3.
Followed my husband to a very small community with limited job opportunities. Worked as an emergency services dispatcher working nights
4.
Worked as a coordinator for a personal emergency response system at the local hospital and took a course in grant writing
5.
Hired as a county WIC Director/nutritionist while teaching as adjunct faculty for a community college and the University of Wyoming
6.
Worked as a Student Services Director at a community college outreach center doing all community ed, advising, and financial aid for community college students
7.
Taught FACS at a small rural school and then at an alternative school of choice
8.
Earned my Educational Leadership endorsement and completed my administrator internships
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You are too old to go back to school.
How I responded:
My philosophy is better late than never! I knew I was starting later than most but that caused me to become very focused and goal oriented. I also took 18-23 credits each semester. My experience has been that sometimes non-traditional students recognize they are starting late and tend to get in and get out!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My parents were not in a financial situation that allowed them to assist me in any way financially. I applied for scholarships, financial aid, and even student loans. I also worked part time as an undergraduate and full time as a doctoral student.