Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Vice President at IDEA Public Schools
Pablo's extensive experience in soccer, both as a player and coach, unexpectedly became a crucial asset throughout their career progression from teaching to a senior leadership role overseeing athletics. This demonstrates how seemingly unrelated experiences, as Pablo notes, can become "a core part of your work," providing unique insights and shaping their approach to program innovation and leadership.
Leadership, Program Management, Education, Athletics, Teamwork
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Pablo Mejia
Senior Vice President of Program Innovation
IDEA Public Schools
UCLA Graduated June 1999
Masters in Education Leadership at the University of Texas Pan American (Now UTRGV)
Communications
Education
Strategic Management and Executive
Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Developing strong leadership skills through extracurricular activities can be beneficial to a career in education.
2. Experiences outside of formal work settings, such as coaching, can provide valuable skills applicable to various professional roles.
3. A holistic approach to career development, incorporating diverse experiences, can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
Your experiences and the things you do, even if you don't think they're core to your work, can become a key component of what you do. I played and coached a lot of soccer through high school and college. When I first started teaching, I was also a soccer coach.
I really found that was a great way to interact with students in a different way, and it built another passion of mine. As I continued to grow professionally into different roles, I became an assistant principal, then a principal. I moved into central office and started working with the curriculum and instruction department.
All of those experiences have helped me in different areas. Currently, I even oversee athletics at the charter network where I work. I think my experience as a soccer coach and player gives me an additional insight to help my team have a clear vision and programmatic approach to how we handle athletics.
So, any little thing that you have done or have experience with can actually become a core part of your work. You might not realize it.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/pablo-mejia-a997616