Erin Brown
City of Denver
Denver, CO USA
"You need to find something that you love to do. Find what gives you that passion and go for it."
Career Roadmap
Erin's work combines: Education, Government, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
My job is a juggling act and I'm constantly busy. It's about working on developing really strong time management skills. For me, it's about honing in on the things I know need to be done now and making really deliberate decisions around what I engage in on a daily basis. Know your limits and be willing to put in the time whenever that may be.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Social and Community Service Managers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Graduate Degree: Public Administration
Certification: Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
When she started college, she thought she wanted to be a biologist.
2.
After a few biology classes, she switched into an education major, but soon it became clear that neither of those paths was right for her.
3.
Eventually she found her calling in public service; says everything along her winding path led her to finding that passion.
4.
She lived in a neighborhood that didn't offer access to good schools; she became "that mom" that drove her kids out of town to go to school.
5.
At one point, her son had a third-grade teacher that "wasn't cutting it," so she put pressure on the school to raise their standards.
6.
She realized that not every kid had a parent that would stand up and fight for their education, so she became an advocate for those children.
7.
Seeing the payoff of her work firsthand and living it as a parent is what keeps her so motivated and excited about her job in children's affairs.
8.
She's a champion of project-based learning, which offers a "360-degree education" by building both book smarts and real-life skills.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I just don't have enough time to get everything done.
How I responded:
My job is a juggling act and I'm constantly busy. It's about working on developing really strong time management skills. For me, it's about honing in on the things I know need to be done now and making really deliberate decisions around what I engage in on a daily basis. Know your limits and be willing to put in the time whenever that may be.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I used to live in a neighborhood where there was a lack of good schools to send my kids to. I became the parent driving across town to send my kids to the schools that would give them the best opportunities.