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Ilaine Brown

Ilaine Brown

Wyoming Department of Education

Cheyenne, WY USA

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Ilaine's work combines: Government, Writing, and Working with Others

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Day In The Life

CTE Education Program Consultant

I oversee the grant process, Programs of Study alignment, SCED code administration and training for the WDE/CTE unit.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Raritan High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Legal Assistant/Paralegal

    Brookdale Community College

  • Vocational

    Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General

    Concord School of Hair Design

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a CTE Education Program Consultant:

Bachelor's Degree: Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Vocational: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    Graduated High School and went to George Mason University for a year and it was not a good fit.

  • 2.

    Decided to follow my passion and get my cosmetology license.

  • 3.

    Listened to my parents and went to community college. Received a degree in legal studies and worked for attorneys.

  • 4.

    Married my husband who was in the Air Force and moved from NJ to CA where I worked for attorneys and a judge. I missed doing nails and hair so I did it for my friends as a side hustle.

  • 5.

    We were transferred to Wyoming where I found a job with a government agency as a paralegal.

  • 6.

    With career and technical education in my heart and my skillset I was able to get a job with the WDE to help students follow their passion by providing grants to school districts for CTE.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Parents:

    You can't be a cosmetologist. The income is not steady.

  • How I responded:

    After I graduated as a cosmetologist, I went to work as a nail technician and colorist to pay my way through community college to become a paralegal. Even though beauty and fashion were my passions, I listened to my parents. I was interested in law and thought getting a paralegal studies degree would be a good fit. I worked for many years in the paralegal profession for lawyers, government agencies and even a judge! I really enjoyed it and I still did nails on the side.