Career Path of a Product Manager at Education Non-Profit
Ashley's career path began with business internships at companies like Coca-Cola and General Mills, but a "quarter life crisis" led to a pivot into teaching math with Teach for America for eight years. This unexpected path ultimately led to their current fulfilling role as a product manager at an education non-profit, successfully fusing "my love of business with my education background".
Career Pivot, Non-profit, Education, Product Management, Teaching Experience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ashley Michelson
Product Manager
Education Non-Profit
University of Southern California 2012
Loyola Marymount University, Urban Education
Business Management & Admin
Education
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Video Highlights
1. Ashley's career path highlights a successful pivot from business to education and back again, showcasing adaptability and passion.
2. Her eight years teaching math demonstrate commitment and a dedication to impacting students' lives, valuable skills transferable to product management.
3. Ashley's current role fuses her business and education backgrounds, demonstrating how diverse experiences can lead to fulfilling and impactful careers. This exemplifies how seemingly disparate career paths can create a unique and valuable skillset.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career? Starting with your experiences in college, did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
In college, I majored in business administration. I had internships at Coca-Cola and with other businesses throughout Southern California. My final internship was with General Mills in their sales department the year before my senior year.
I had planned to pursue that path, but then I had what I call my quarter-life crisis. I felt the direction I was going lacked meaning or significance. So, I made a complete pivot.
During my senior year, I recruited for Teach for America. I joined the organization and initially planned to teach for two years. However, I ended up teaching math for eight years because I fell in love with it so much.
It was unexpected that I would become a math teacher and stick with it. My love for my students truly kept me there. After that, I thought about ways to combine my enjoyment of studying business and working in a business context.
I wanted to fuse my love of business with my education background. I found this role at a startup as a product manager working on curriculum. It's been a really fulfilling way to use both of my passions.
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