Michelle Ates
School District
Marshall, TX USA
"Don't ever look down and say what you will not do. You never know where it might lead you. Take the chance."
Career Roadmap
Michelle's work combines: Education, Government, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Office Management and Supervision
Grambling State University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a College and Career Advisor / AVID District Director:
Bachelor's Degree: Office Management and Supervision
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Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Car wreck in college—moved home to finish my last semester of college. I was able to transfer credits back to Grambling State University to march with my class.
2.
Took care of grandmother with cancer.
3.
Hired as a temporary worker for 6 months with Texas Employment Commission. Turned into a full-time job. Worked for the state for 6 1/2 years.
4.
Took a job as Youth Services Coordinator for Communities In Schools-non-profit working at high school with at risk youth for 10 years.
5.
Took job working at TSTC-Admission Office-Dual Credit Advisor. Worked for 10 years.
6.
Took job working for District. College and Career Advisor / AVID District Director / Still employed.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Friends:
You need to move from East Texas to make more money. You will never be able to make a good living in East Texas. There is nothing there but woods.
How I responded:
Live your own life. The big city was never for me. I felt I would be more effective in my line of work if I worked with a smaller school district. Show the young people, especially the ones in the middle, first-generational students, that they too can succeed coming from East Texas.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Divorced with two small children.