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Carmina, Lead Consultant at Scoot Education: Advize Career Interview
Carmina's journey from civic engagement work-study to Lead Consultant at Scoot Education showcases an unconventional yet inspiring career path.
Beginning with a foundation in social work, education, and community engagement, this professional's expertise evolved through experiences like Teach for America, a Fulbright grant, and policy internships, shaping a passion for impacting education on a larger scale.
The Lead Consultant role now centers on account management and business development within special education, requiring a blend of relationship building, organizational skills, and a deep connection to the "why" behind supporting diverse student needs.
Success in this field hinges on being purpose-driven, collaborative, and ambitious, while embracing innovation and continuous learning.
The role presents challenges in educator matchmaking, yet offers fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact of educator-student connections.
Ultimately, this professional stresses the importance of recognizing transferable skills, prioritizing relationships over ego, and using one's voice to advocate for diverse perspectives, particularly within the context of the educational industry's shifting landscape.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Carmina Portea Amador
Lead Consultant
Scoot Education
Chapman University
Loyola Marymount University, M.A. Urban Education - Policy & Administration
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Anthropology, Sociology
Education
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
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Career Path Of A Lead Consultant At Scoot Education
Carmina's career began with a work-study job in college focused on civic engagement, which unexpectedly cultivated "soft skills of business development," and continued with roles such as a resident advisor and internships related to a social work emphasis. Later, teaching through Teach for America and a Fulbright grant in Spain, combined with summer internships in policy and school operations, ultimately guided their return to LA and current role after a period of community engagement.
Main Responsibilities Of A Lead Consultant At Scoot Education
Carmina's responsibilities as Lead Consultant at Scoot Education have evolved from a "360 consultant" role involving educator recruitment, management, and client relations to a focus on account management and business development, specifically within the company's "startup" special education department. This shift involves maintaining relationships with existing school partners and acquiring new clients to utilize Scoot Education's staffing services.
A Day In The Life Of A Lead Consultant At Scoot Education
A lead special education consultant's day at Scoot Education involves a diverse mix of activities, from client calls and "researching other job mining opportunities" to data analysis on service delivery. Collaboration with internal teams is a "big component", marked by frequent internal and external meetings.
Most Important Skills for a Lead Consultant at Scoot Education
For a Lead Consultant role at Scoot Education, Carmina emphasizes three crucial skills: strong "ability to build relationships and communication skills" given the people-centric nature of the education sector, exceptional organization to manage a high volume of internal and external collaborations, and remaining "grounded in purpose and why," especially focusing on the diverse needs of students. Ultimately, centering the "why" is vital for success in any education-related role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Lead Consultant At Scoot Education
Carmina most enjoys that the Lead Consultant role at Scoot Education allows contributions to education on a "macro level" while working in a corporate setting, which was a priority when transitioning out of teaching. Ultimately, "hearing how much [schools] have appreciated our support" and witnessing the connections made between educators and students is what makes the role fulfilling.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Lead Consultant at Scoot Education
Carmina from Scoot Education finds that the biggest challenge in the Lead Consultant role is "intentional matchmaking or hiring of educators to our schools," because relying on feedback from schools and educators can be difficult given the current education climate, especially since the pandemic. Ensuring students have a qualified educator every day, while also learning all the compliance requirements, is a key hurdle in the role.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Educational Staffing Industry As A Lead Consultant
Carmina enjoys the feeling of working in a startup environment within educational staffing, even as the field becomes more established, appreciating the "boots on the grounds type of work" and the constant push "to continue to be innovative and continue to learn" as the needs of the company evolve. The opportunity to tackle new projects and "figure it out" is a significant motivator in this career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry, According To A Lead Consultant At Scoot Education
Carmina, a Lead Consultant at Scoot Education, believes those who thrive in the industry are "purpose driven," connecting with the mission of the company, as well as collaborative, understanding how to work with diverse teams and skill sets. Moreover, being "driven or ambitious" to achieve goals and targets, while staying purpose-oriented, is crucial for success and enjoyment in the field.
What A Lead Consultant At Scoot Education Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Education Industry
Carmina wishes someone had emphasized the importance of identifying transferable skills early in one's career, particularly for educators considering transitioning out of the classroom, because skills such as "classroom management," "data collection," and "having parent conferences" can translate into valuable project management, data analysis, and client management abilities in other industries. Understanding these transferable skills sooner would have saved a lot of research time when entering this industry.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Lead Consultants at Scoot Education
Carmina suggests that undergraduates should seek out internships to gain diverse skills. For graduates, Carmina recommends exploring entry-level recruiter positions, client success manager roles, or entry-level HR, noting that "if you are looking for a pathway, I would look into those three main positions."
Significant Career Lesson From a Lead Consultant at Scoot Education
Carmina, a Lead Consultant at Scoot Education, learned that "to not make ego the center" is crucial, especially in client and customer management. Recognizing the people-centric nature of the business and prioritizing client relationships over personal ego, particularly when mistakes occur, has proven significant in the career professional's current role, a lesson that they "did not think about when [they were] in [their] early twenties and teaching."
College Experiences That Helped a Lead Consultant at Scoot Education Succeed
To prepare for a career in education, Carmina focused on networking and mentorship despite identifying as shy and introverted, always "seeking out with curiosity, asking questions," and learning from people a grade above or from professors. Carmina also prioritized gaining experience outside the classroom with internships and jobs to supplement classroom learning.
How Identity Has Influenced A Lead Consultant's Career At Scoot Education
Carmina notes that while education is generally a woman-dominated field, leadership positions in corporate education settings often lack female representation, leading to the realization that it's important to "use [her] voice more." Carmina learned that opinions matter and bring a different perspective, particularly in presenting and selling offerings in the education field.
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