Career Roadmap
Hadass's work combines: Education, Entrepreneurship, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap QuizSkills & Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Linguistics
Hebrew University
Graduate Degree
Linguistics
Temple University
Doctorate
Linguistics
University of Pennsylvania
Vocational
Exec Ed: Leading in Time of Chaos & Women and Power
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Chief Executives:
Bachelor's Degree: Economics, General
Learn more about different paths to this careerLife & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Early on I followed others' academic dreams and expectations of me. That did not work out for me but it brought me to a new country.
2.
I had to find a way to support myself financially. I applied for jobs that my academic advisors wouldn't support, but I got hired and gained expertise (and supported myself.)
3.
I worked at a company that was winding down. I read the signs and started proactively looking for something else, returning to old connections and looking for new ones.
4.
I needed to find a new job but didn't see listed jobs that appealed to me. I started talking to people about ideas they had and ideas I had, and used my experience to create a new solution.
5.
Nobody likes people who "failed", but we all do at times. I wanted to change lives by empowering people rather than ignoring or denigrating them for being in a group at risk from a systemic failure.
6.
At first, my non-profit organization was not aligned with funders. I spent time explaining why our approach was the only way forward to solve a problem. It was risky but we made it a national model.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
"If you want a real career, get a real degree, not in Linguistics..." "That's never been done..." "You don't have a PhD, who will hire you?"
How I responded:
Thankfully the era of proscribed pathways to a career is over! I've always viewed my work-life as a journey: focus on points along the way, be okay with detours and seek opportunities. I've shifted careers several times, first following interests and gathering experience and expertise, and later following passion. I seek out others' opinions but dim the volume on non-productive negativity. I prioritize finding interest wherever I am, learning new skills everywhere, and sharing with others.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I came to the US to study and knew nobody. The first 18 months were hard: I didn't live where other students lived, I didn't understand their social ways. I had no money. I made tons of mistakes. I just stuck it out. Tenacity and an open mind helps.