Bethiel Girma Holton
Programme Officer
Oak Foundation
“You do not have to have it all figured out now at 15, in 10 years at 25, or at 35.”
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I grew up in Seattle, Washington.
I watched my older brother face some challenges after deciding not to go to college, so I knew that I did ultimately want to pursue college.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in combined sciences—biology and psychology—from Santa Clara University.
After college, I assumed I should follow an expected path and apply to dental school, but I decided to spend a year or two working in a school first before doing so.
After spending some time working with students in schools, I realized that I actually loved it and wanted to continue working in education.
I went back to school and earned a master’s degree in social work from Boston College.
I continued to work closely with schools and young people in support of student success and educational equity.
All of my experience working closely with schools and students now helps me in my current role as a programme officer for the educational program efforts at the Oak Foundation.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Combined Sciences
Santa Clara University
Combined Sciences
Santa Clara University
Graduate
Social Work
Boston College
Social Work
Boston College
Career
Programme Officer
I help to grant funds to nonprofit organizations that are helping schools to become more supportive of their students.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
If you want to work for a foundation, I recommend really investigating what prospective foundations' cultures are. Some foundations have a large hierarchy with lots of layers of decision-making, which can make things move more slowly. That may be hard for someone who's more action-oriented. Other foundations operate under more of a risk-oriented innovative approach. Really think about the values that are important to you and then see if you can find that in an organization.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
Combined Sciences
Combined Sciences
Graduate
Social Work
Social Work
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"Students like you don't usually graduate with a degree in science."
Challenges I Overcame
Imposter Syndrome
