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King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency: Advize Career Interview

A career path initially focused on law unexpectedly pivoted to the social sector, leading to a rewarding role as Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency.

This journey involved impactful experiences with Americorps, social impact consulting, and a dedication to creating large-scale positive change for marginalized students.

The role's dynamic nature involves relationship building with school districts, streamlining communications, creating engagement tools, and navigating the complexities of the K-12 education system.

Success requires strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach, while the most fulfilling aspect is the significant impact on millions of children's lives.

Entry-level opportunities exist in analysis and outreach roles, offering a pathway into a field requiring continuous learning, open-mindedness, and diverse experiences gained from involvement in extracurricular activities.

Navigating challenges within a predominantly homogenous professional environment highlighted the importance of building supportive networks.

The interview provides a compelling look at a career dedicated to improving education in Texas, emphasizing collaboration, impactful work, and continuous growth.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

King Adjei-Frimpong

Director of Stakeholder Engagement

Texas Education Agency

UCLA, 2010

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business (MBA)

Political Science, American Studies

Education

Communication and Marketing

Disabled, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student

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Career Path Of A Director Of Stakeholder Engagement At Texas Education Agency

Initially planning on law school, a summer at a law firm led to a pivot into the business sector, but the Great Recession spurred a move to the social sector with Americorps, where King went "to over a thousand people's homes" understanding their needs and building partnerships with corporations to bring resources to under-resourced communities. This experience, along with social impact consulting, ultimately led to a role at the Texas Education Agency, driven by a goal of "creating impact at scale" and supporting marginalized students.

Main Responsibilities of a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency

King's main responsibilities as Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency center on improving relationships with school districts through "experiences," streamlined "communications," and the development of internal tools. These initiatives aim to foster a deeper understanding of how agency work impacts students, ultimately making the agency more effective and efficient in supporting Texas's educational system.

A Day in the Life of a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency

A Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency's daily activities are highly variable, depending on "the legislative calendar" and stakeholder meetings. The role involves internal alignment across teams, creating engagement tools, conducting site visits, and attending numerous meetings, leaving limited time for focused work.

Skills for a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency

King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency, emphasizes the paramount importance of "being able to connect with people and to build rapport" for success in their role, adding that quickly grasping complex situations and knowing "who to reach out to" is equally crucial.

Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency

King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency, most enjoys the "scale of the impact," supporting the education of almost 5.5 million children. The work is stimulating because of the constant learning and engaging colleagues, leading to a fulfilling career despite inherent job stresses.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency

King's biggest challenge as Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency is the sheer scale and complexity of the K-12 education system, encompassing diverse stakeholders and navigating "many spokes to the wheel," including community engagement, political dynamics, legislative processes, and federal funding. Understanding the compliance component while maintaining a "holistic picture" adds to this challenge.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Education Industry as a Director of Stakeholder Engagement

King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency, most enjoys the significant impact of their work, stating that it affects "hundreds of thousands if not millions of kids across the state." This highlights the rewarding nature of a career focused on positively influencing education on a large scale.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry, According To A Director Of Stakeholder Engagement At Texas Education Agency

King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency, describes those who thrive in education as "thoughtful, driven, and smart," highlighting a dedication to "the future of kids, the future of education." This emphasis on future-oriented thinking aligns with the responsibilities of a stakeholder engagement director, requiring a proactive approach to shaping the future of Texas education.

What a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Public Education Industry

King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at the Texas Education Agency, learned firsthand the unforeseen complexity of public education, noting the numerous stakeholders involved – "how many spokes to the wheel." This highlights the intricate network of relationships inherent in this role, a fact that would have been valuable prior knowledge.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Outreach Professionals

Entry-level opportunities in King's field at the Texas Education Agency include "analyst positions" assessing grant and initiative impacts and "Outreach roles" engaging with districts, parents, and stakeholders. These positions offer undergraduates a path into a career focused on understanding and improving educational outcomes.

Career Lesson from a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency

King, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency, cites "being open-minded" as a crucial lesson, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging "what I don't know" and proactively seeking opportunities to expand their knowledge. This approach highlights the value of continuous learning in navigating the complexities of their role.

College Experiences That Helped a Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Texas Education Agency Succeed

King, a Director of Stakeholder Engagement, credits their undergraduate involvement in "numerous clubs" as crucial to career success. This fostered exposure to diverse career paths and, more significantly, "different types of people and different types of thinking," proving invaluable in their current role.

How Identity Has Influenced A Director Of Stakeholder Engagement's Career At Texas Education Agency

King, a Black male Director of Stakeholder Engagement, describes navigating a career where they are often "one of if not, the only black person...in most spaces," highlighting the invaluable support derived from building relationships with other Black professionals to share stories and resources. This kinship, they explain, has been essential to their career journey.

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