Career transitions can feel isolating, especially in a job market that is as uncertain and rapidly-changing as the one we’re currently in. But for Education Pioneers (EP) Alumni, one thing remains constant: you’re not alone.
Over the past few weeks, EP Alumni came together for Impact with Intention, a two-part virtual series designed to offer both encouragement and practical perspective for Alumni navigating what’s next, whether that means seeking a new role, exploring their passions, or simply pausing to realign with purpose.
Finding Meaning Where You Land
The first session, Inspiration and Perspective on Big Moves for Impact, invited Alumni to think differently about where meaningful work can happen. Panelists from Tulsa, New Mexico, and Indianapolis shared how they approached decisions about where to live and lead, reflecting on the types of communities where their own purposeful work blossomed.
Whether through board service, cross-sector partnerships, or volunteering, each panelist shared how they built close-knit, intentional circles of connection within broader ecosystems.
Reflection Questions: Choosing Where to Lead
What kind of community do I want to be part of or help create?
What ecosystem exists around education here, and how might I contribute to it?
Scott Hindman (2012), co-founder and founding executive director of Excellent Schools New Mexico, described evaluating new markets through a simple lens: Where are the organizations that support schools? Where can I make a difference even if I’m not leading a classroom or district?
He noted that in smaller or less populous regions, “there’s a hunger for talent,” creating space for leaders to take on roles that stretch their skills and deepen their connection to the community.
Jameelah Stuckey (2019), senior manager at TNTP, shared her journey from Los Angeles, Chicago, and DC to Tulsa, where she discovered a thriving network of young professionals and opportunities to lead.
In her breakout discussion, she spoke about the intentional ways she’s become part of her region through board service and engaging in local volunteer efforts, and encouraged other Alumni to do the same wherever they live.
Takeaway: Find Your Smaller Circle
Trying to break into any market can be intimidating, no matter the size. Consider ways to find more manageable circles within the education sector in your community – young professional associations and affinity groups, for example. Identify where your presence adds unique value, and start showing up – regularly!
Scott Bess, president & CEO of the Indiana Charter Innovation Center, and Andy Seibert, CEO at TogetherEd, emphasized that Indianapolis is a city where good work happens across lines of difference. Like Tulsa, its low cost of living creates space for leaders to do what they’re passionate about while maintaining balance and sustainability in their lives.
Takeaway: Lead Where the Conditions for Impact Exist
Seek environments that are open to collaboration, value problem-solving, and make it possible for you to contribute in a meaningful way. Not sure how to find those environments? Lean into the EP network for informational conversations with other Alumni. Look for folks doing work that aligns with your aspirations or who are at organizations that interest you, and remember – most Alums are eager to connect with other Alums.
Wrapping up the session, Erin Willig, EP’s director of Alumni impact, reminded participants that choosing where to make a difference starts with understanding what matters most to you. The session concluded with small-group breakout discussions to give Alumni space to explore their own questions about fulfillment, belonging, and finding their way in new communities.
Practical Tools for Navigating What’s Next
The second session, Strategies, Tools, and Inspiration for Times of Transition, moved from reflection to action.
Panelists shared their experiences navigating career pivots, whether launching into consulting, shifting sectors, or searching in a challenging job market.
John Troy (2008), founder and CEO of WorkTogether Talent Solutions, grounded the conversation in the context of the current moment. “It’s an employer’s market right now,” he explained, noting that even well-qualified candidates are facing long searches. He encouraged participants to stay patient and persistent: “If you’re job-seeking and it’s taking longer than you’d hoped, it’s not because of you.”
John advised exploring job boards broadly to understand how roles are framed, then refining your search to align with your goals.
Job Search Tip
Begin by casting a (very!) wide net. Remove your typical search parameters and explore job titles, regions, and compensation ranges – you might learn you could be searching for a title you hadn’t thought to include, or that your compensation range is above or below market. That doesn’t mean you have to compromise on any of your personal non-negotiables, but it might give you interesting information before you narrow your search.
For both Lindsi Lara Pérez (2011) and Alma Rico (2013), their career pivots began with reflection.
Lindsi, now chief program officer at the Academy for Urban School Leadership, described listening to that quiet signal that it was time for something new after years as a school principal. Drawing on her fellow EP Alumni and other networks like Teach For America, she began exploring roles that would let her lean into the work that energized her most. That reflective process, she shared, was iterative and deeply personal: each conversation clarified the kind of challenges she wanted next.
Similarly, Alma, founder of Nueva Flor Advisory, described how a Wellness Wheel exercise helped her see that while her professional life was thriving, other parts of her life needed more attention. Letting go of the idea that every role had to build on the last opened space to redefine success and embrace consulting as a way to use her skills differently.
Takeaway: Redefine Growth on Your Terms
Comparison is a recipe for discontent. Instead of trying to map your career by someone else’s metrics of success, focus on your strengths and what fuels your joy. Seek feedback from trusted peers who see your gifts clearly, and remember that impactful careers rarely follow a straight line.
Former EP staff member Brandon Malmberg then drew on his own experience transitioning into consulting to reframe networking, a necessary but often daunting part of professional life. He sees it as a process rooted in curiosity and generosity: “Don’t think of networking as trying to get something from someone,” he shared. “Start by learning what they care about and being genuinely curious.”
He noted that success isn’t measured by landing a job after every conversation, but by building relationships and learning something new each time.
Takeaway: Reframe Networking as Learning
Reframe networking as being grounded in true curiosity and learning. Begin with the people who know you best, ask authentic questions, and focus on shared problem-solving rather than transactions.
Continuing the Conversation
Across both sessions, one message resonated: while every path is unique, we move further when we move together. Whether you’re navigating change or simply taking stock of where you are, Impact with Intention was a reminder that purpose isn’t a destination, but a practice. And in this community, you never have to figure it out alone.
Interested in being part of an ongoing community of Alums working through career transition? Inspired by our Alums in New York, who organized a co-working session for folks looking for their next step, EP is considering creating some informal community spaces for folks to continue their exploration. These spaces will offer both accountability (a set time and place to focus on your career next steps) as well as opportunities for connection (breakout rooms for folks who want to connect or network). Let us know if you’d like to join us!