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Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners: Advize Career Interview

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, offers a compelling career journey, initially envisioning a legal path but ultimately finding fulfillment in education and philanthropy.

A Teach for America experience sparked a passion for equity and education, leading to roles in academia, a national think tank, public policy, and Google.

The current role involves significant business development and supporting high-profile education clients, requiring strategic thinking and insightful perspectives.

A flexible workday balances professional demands with family time, highlighting a dedication to work-life balance. Success requires technical expertise and strong character traits, like confidence and a willingness to embrace challenges.

The biggest challenge is balancing numerous opportunities, a testament to a deep commitment to the education sector, which Aditi views as crucial to thriving communities.

Aditi's advice emphasizes leveraging college resources, networking through LinkedIn, and embracing a non-linear career path.

Undergraduate experiences fostering self-discovery are highlighted as crucial, alongside learning from both successes and failures, ultimately leading to the development of resilience and confidence.

The lack of relatable role models within their South Asian community initially presented challenges that Aditi overcame by actively building their career, a path that now allows for rapid connection with colleagues.

Students interested in the education field should explore internships, fellowships, and entry-level positions at nonprofits and government agencies.

This story inspires students to explore diverse experiences and embrace a path that aligns with their values.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Aditi Goel

Founder

P16 Partners

UC Berkeley

Harvard University Graduate School of Education - Master in Education Policy & Management

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Philosophy

Nonprofit

Entrepreneurship and Business Owner

None Applicable

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path Of A Founder At P16 Partners

Aditi, a founder at P16 Partners, advises social science students struggling with detail-orientation to leverage their college career center—"an untapped resource"—and utilize LinkedIn to explore opportunities and connect with professionals. The platform facilitates learning about various fields and building a network, while social sciences' inherent focus on writing and critical thinking provides a strong foundation for career success, as these are "skills that set you up for success, like in every single role."

Main Responsibilities of a Founder at P16 Partners

Aditi's career path, initially envisioned as a legal career, unexpectedly veered into education after a Teach for America experience, revealing a passion for "equity and education" despite discovering teaching wasn't a fit. This led to roles in academia, a national R&D think tank, public policy, and Google, culminating in the founding of a consulting business to support non-profit leaders, demonstrating a dedication to leveraging diverse experiences to impact the education sector.

A Day In The Life Of A Founder At P16 Partners

Aditi's main responsibilities as Founder at P16 Partners involve significant "business development," including "building and maintaining relationships" and networking to secure a continuous pipeline of work. This complements supporting existing high-profile clients in the education sector, requiring constant learning, strategic thinking, and delivering insightful perspectives on current issues.

Most Important Skills For A Founder At P16 Partners

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, describes a flexible workday designed around personal preferences, starting with a "slowish start" after getting children to school and including a mix of virtual and in-person meetings from 10 AM to 4 PM. The workday concludes with family time, followed by an evening hour for professional reading and engagement, showcasing a balanced approach to work and personal life.

Favorite Parts of Being a Founder at P16 Partners

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, emphasizes both "technical content expertise" and essential "character traits," such as confidence and the willingness to tackle unfamiliar projects ("I think I can do it. I haven't done it before, but let me just stretch myself a little bit"). This approach, coupled with strong organizational skills and a focus on reputation, highlights the multifaceted nature of their career.

Biggest Benefits Of Being A Founder At P16 Partners

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, most enjoys the "ownership of time" and ability to "do it in the way that I want" afforded by running their own business, a stark contrast to previous roles where autonomy was limited. This newfound freedom has fostered a significant increase in confidence, allowing for independent decision-making without needing permission.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Education Industry As A Founder

Aditi's biggest challenge as Founder at P16 Partners is discerning which work opportunities to accept, confessing "I almost always say yes" due to a passion for the work and its alignment with their values. This reveals a common struggle for business owners balancing personal fulfillment with capacity constraints.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Education And Nonprofit, P16 Partners Founder

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, finds deep satisfaction in the education and nonprofit sectors, viewing public education as "at the core and heart of communities" with "huge implications for our workforce, for economic mobility and families," and for a thriving democracy. This passion fuels Aditi's belief in providing "every child" with access to high-quality learning.

What A Founder At P16 Partners Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Education Industry

To thrive in the education industry, a fervent belief in "the power and promise of public education" is paramount, coupled with a willingness to engage in "difficult conversations" about systemic improvement and collaboration across various stakeholders beyond schools and districts. This necessitates understanding the multifaceted nature of the education sector and actively seeking diverse perspectives to create impactful change for students.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Founders

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, learned that a lack of a "linear career path" and the ability to remain open to possibilities was key to career success, contrasting with the admiration Aditi held for those with a clear career vision from the start. Aditi wishes someone had assured Aditi that "not knowing and being open to possibilities" was a strength, rather than a weakness, in navigating a career in education outside of a school setting.

Significant Career Lesson From a Founder at P16 Partners

For undergraduate students interested in Aditi's field, internships and fellowships are widely available at nonprofits, foundations, and government entities; upon graduation, entry-level roles such as "program associate," "project associate," and "site coordinator" are readily available, particularly in the nonprofit sector, but it is important to consider salary, daily tasks, advancement potential, and skill-building opportunities.

College Experiences That Helped A Founder At P16 Partners Succeed

Aditi, Founder at P16 Partners, learned that "there are no mistakes," even significant failures, preparing Aditi for advising high-profile clients; the experience of "fail[ing], to screw up, to make mistakes" built resilience and the ability to course-correct, ultimately proving invaluable in Aditi's career trajectory.

How Identity Has Influenced a Founder at P16 Partners' Career

Aditi's undergraduate experience wasn't defined by a singular career goal; instead, the openness to diverse experiences, "open to friendships, open to living situations, open to majors," fostered self-discovery and a confidence in securing post-graduation employment, regardless of the specific path. This approach ultimately shaped their career trajectory by providing a strong foundation of self-awareness.

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