College Experiences That Helped a Senior Manager of Academics at TNTP Succeed
Ashley's experiences at TCU, including a "paid internship with Teach for America," auditing education courses, and participating in the honors program, instilled valuable time management and leadership skills crucial for a demanding career. The long-term planning involved in joining Teach for America and the rigorous demands of a ballet major and leadership roles prepared Ashley for the challenges of a master's degree alongside teaching, demonstrating that "nothing was too much" for them.
Leadership, Time Management, Discipline, Networking, Career Planning
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ashley D. Essary
Senior Manager of Academics
TNTP
Texas Christian University (2010)
University of Colorado at Denver, MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Pedagogy for Urban Leadership, concentration in English Language Acquisition
Fine Arts, Music
Education
Strategic Management and Executive
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Engage in internships or paid opportunities related to your field of interest, even if it seems unrelated to your major. Ashley's experience with Teach for America significantly shaped her career path.
2. Develop strong time management and discipline skills through rigorous academic programs, extracurricular activities, or leadership roles in student organizations. Ashley's combined ballet major, honors program, and leadership roles built valuable skills.
3. Consider the long-term implications of your choices, thinking beyond immediate job prospects to focus on programs or networks that align with your career goals. Ashley's participation in Teach for America provided extensive support, networking, and future career opportunities.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad that set you up for success in your career?
A paid internship with Teach for America taught me so much, both about the organization and about education in general. This proved very valuable once I joined Teach for America.
As a ballet major, I realized I would become a math teacher. I took classes related to that role, including a geometry education course specifically designed for aspiring teachers. Being part of Teach for America after graduation was also huge due to the support, loan repayment, and network.
I've done a lot with the Teach for America alumni network. Thinking long-term, not just about a job after graduation but about a program and a bigger picture plan, was really valuable.
Ballet majors work incredibly hard, taking many classes. I was also enrolled in the honors program at TCU, taking a significant number of hours each semester. This taught me how to manage my time effectively, which prepared me for my career.
I pursued a master's degree within my first few years after college, while also teaching and participating in Teach for America's professional development. I felt I could handle it because my college experience had already equipped me to manage a lot.
I've heard from others who went to law school that it felt like a breeze after Teach for America because they had learned to be disciplined with their time. I think that was quite valuable.
Additionally, I took on leadership roles in student organizations, specifically within the dance honor society. We organized a benefit concert, and this taught me valuable skills that I've brought into my career.