Career Roadmap
Ilaine's work combines: Government, Writing, and Working with Others
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Take Roadmap QuizSkills & 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 careerLife & 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.