Michelle Cadwell
Genesis Motor North America
Fountain Valley, CA USA
"I earned my opportunities and drew my own path around every obstacle that life has given me so far. This has offered me the ability of perseverance, tenacity, and character you cannot teach in school."
Career Roadmap
Michelle's work combines: Entrepreneurship, Writing, and Working with Others
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
History, General
California State University, Fullerton
Graduate Degree
Public/Applied History
California State University, Fullerton
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Executive Assistant :
Bachelor's Degree: History, General
Graduate Degree: Public/Applied History
Learn more about different paths to this careerLife & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
My parents were incarcerated when I was 10 years old and spent almost 10 years in federal prison.
2.
Entered Foster Care when last living relative.
3.
I went to around over eight different middle schools in Missouri, Colorado, and California and three different high schools.
4.
Applying to Cal State Fullerton to become a high school history teacher, was accepted into Guardian Scholars Program. This program at CSUF promotes higher education degree for former foster youth.
5.
Then deciding to not become a teacher in my senior year while completing prep course work for the credential program.
6.
Began executive assisting C-Level with a CEO of a tennis ball machine company after the recession took many teaching jobs away. I continue writing on the behalf of Executives 13-years later.
7.
Is an Executive Assistant to Mark Del Rosso, CEO of Genesis Motor North America, and Erwin T Raphael, COO of Genesis Motor America.
8.
I recently became a 1st-time mother of Tank Valentine. Learning how to balance a career and a being a mom.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I felt discouraged from reaching my higher education goals due to impostor syndrome. I still face this constantly as I try to evolve my career and personal goals. Telling myself "you do not have 100% of what "they" are looking for..."
How I responded:
I reminded during my graduate career from a mentor that I deserved the space and accolades that I have always received. I did not cheat or buy my way into any of these opportunities. I earned them and drew my own path around every obstacle that life has given me so far. This has offered me the ability of perseverance, tenacity, and character you cannot teach in school. These key characteristics have allowed me to excel in every opportunity I have been given. I deserve to be in this space.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I overcame my obstacle of being put into the foster system twice in my life by utilizing the independence and responsibility that I gained from her experience in my occupation today.
I have learned that my parents' mistakes and how people caged me and my future abilities did not dictate how my life was going to turn out. I have to continue to learn how to deal with a family system that has been torn apart by these challenges.