HGSE alumni work amazing jobs across the world. We asked alumni that are five-years out to share about their positions and post-HGSE perspectives. Ashley Pinakiewicz was in the Learning & Teaching program and graduated in 2015.
What is your current role/responsibilities?
I’m the Director of TC NEXT at Teachers College, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Education, Health, and Psychology. TC NEXT is a reimagined career services office; we help students prepare for their post-graduation pathways of choice, from Day One at TC and beyond. I manage a team and work with them to develop strategy, build partnerships across the College, establish infrastructure for our department to grow and thrive, and steer TC NEXT’s brand.
How did HGSE prepare you for the position?
I learned so much at HGSE; I came to grad school after a career in the private sector, looking to transfer my skills to a career in education (specifically, working with schools). I had no idea which careers were available to someone like me, nor did I know how to position my experience. I learned so much from my classmates, such as the skills and strengths they valued in their teams and the assets they demonstrated in group projects and classrooms. From my amazing professors, I learned about what makes schools work well, and how all the elements of the education system work together (or not!) in service of students. I bring those learnings with me every day to my job, particularly as I think about helping our students position themselves for various roles, and advocating for the impact TC graduates can have in their careers, across the many fields in which our graduates work. I also was the Learning + Teaching cohort rep to HGSE’s Career Services Center, where I became fascinated by services for students that were seeking direction and support.
What is your favorite HGSE memory?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I would have to choose Tina Blythe’s teaching for understanding class. She created a sense of community that was meaningful and deep, and that course completely shifted my understanding of how educators can serve students. In my office area, I have a photo of our class section, signed by classmates, as a reminder of what brilliant teaching and mentoring can look like.
What is your advice to prospective students?
Soak up everything you can at HGSE. You’ll be surrounded by fellow students with incredible expertise from whom you’ll learn; phenomenal professors at the top of their field; and visiting speakers and guests. Go to everything you can, talk to everyone you can—you can sleep after you graduate.
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