Robert Torres
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
New York, NY USA
"The first question has always been: How can I have the biggest impact?"
Career Roadmap
Robert's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
Oberlin College
Doctorate
Learning Sciences
New York University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Grew up in the projects in deep poverty.
2.
His siblings started doing drugs from a young age because they were widely available in his neighborhood.
3.
Made it through high school, went to Oberlin College, but still didn't know what he wanted to do with his life.
4.
Moved to Oakland to do Teach For America, saw many poor Hispanic families, similar to his own.
5.
Realized that his problems were universal, decided he wanted to work with low-income children.
6.
Calls his impoverished background his "secret weapon."
7.
Believes that ultimate success means being a free person, having a completely open mind.
8.
Feels he's successful because his job lets him collaborate with creative people, think outside of the box.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
We had to figure out when to skip a meal because we didn't have enough.