College Experiences That Helped a School Board Member at Los Angeles Unified School District Succeed
Tanya's undergraduate experience, particularly "hands-on experience through the tutoring job," and the development of transferable skills like information analysis and opinion backing proved invaluable. The surprisingly crucial skill of "maintaining a tight calendar," learned early in their academic career, continues to be essential for success in their demanding role as a Los Angeles Unified School District School Board Member.
Time Management, Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Higher Education
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tanya Ortiz Franklin
School Board Member
Los Angeles Unified School District
Columbia University 2005
Loyola Marymount University, MA Elementary Education; UCLA School of Law JD, Public Interest Law & Policy, Critical Race Studies
Political Science, American Studies
Education
Education
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Hands-on experience, such as tutoring, can help determine career interest and develop transferable skills.
2. The ability to consume and sift through information, backing up opinions with credible sources, is crucial for decision-making.
3. Effective calendar management and time management skills are essential for high-stress, demanding careers. Procrastination should be avoided
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad that set you up for success in your career?
The hands-on experience through my tutoring job was really helpful in understanding if teaching was a career path I wanted to take. There are also many transferable skills that undergraduate students develop, like consuming a lot of information through homework and reading for classes.
Being able to sift through what's important and back up opinions with ideas from relevant sources is crucial today when I make decisions on the board. A simple thing I did in undergrad that has carried with me throughout my career, and is probably one of the most important things I do today, is maintaining a tight calendar.
This includes tracking individual tasks, meetings to attend, preparing for them, following up, and rescheduling when things are not completed. It's very common for undergrads to joke about procrastination.
However, if you're interested in a high-stress, impactful, and demanding job, learning at a young age to manage your calendar will go a long way.