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Shay Everitt

Shay Everitt

CHILDREN AT RISK

Career Roadmap

Shay's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Entrepreneurship, and Problem Solving

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Day In The Life

Director, Early Childhood Education Initiatives

Lead a team to conduct research and advocate for policy changes to improve the quality of child care and pre-k in Texas.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    James E. Taylor High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Mass Communications and Political Science

    Sam Houston State University

  • Graduate Degree

    Social Work

    University of Houston

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare:

Bachelor's Degree: Mass Communications and Political Science

Graduate Degree: Social Work

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    Political journalist

  • 2.

    Newspaper reporter

  • 3.

    Political campaigns

  • 4.

    No idea... grad school?

  • 5.

    Sociology. No wait, social work.

  • 6.

    Definitely don't want to work with the elderly. How about kids?

  • 7.

    Definitely don't want to work *with* anyone directly. But, I can help build systems and influence policy to change the lives of thousands of people (kids!) at once.

  • 8.

    Here I am, building systems and changing the lives of at-risk children birth through age 8 all across TX.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    You're too direct.

  • How I responded:

    Being in the South, people may have subconscious opinions of how females should behave. Having worked both in the business and nonprofit sectors, my experience has been that people working in nonprofits are much more sensitive (which can be a good thing!). Know that being candid and forthright are valuable characteristics. Just hone those skills, be strong, and be respectful. Finding yourself and your style is a journey!

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • Don't be afraid to ask for help. Making one or two close friends, joining clubs, and/or getting to know professors can be really helpful. Make the most of every opportunity and doors will keep opening!