Meena Naik
Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Lewisville, TX USA
"Figure out what that context is that makes you happy . . . because when things get hard, you’re going to want to power through because you’re doing something you love."
Career Roadmap
Meena's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Physiology and Neuroscience
University of California, San Diego
Graduate Degree
Higher Education Administration and Student Development and Affairs
Drexel University
Doctorate
Educational Psychology
University of North Texas
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
In high school, I worked as an EMT on an ambulance—I expected to eventually become a medical doctor.
2.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in physiology and neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego.
3.
After realizing that I couldn’t envision myself working in the career I was set on, I began thinking about what I’m really passionate about, which is helping people feel valued and like they belong.
4.
That led me down the path to higher education administration.
5.
I started working in student affairs and with student organizations, helping to facilitate programs.
6.
As time went on, I started realizing that it wasn’t enough, so I went back to school and earned my master’s degree in higher education administration.
7.
I then worked in academic support services for underserved students who’ve been systemically left out of processes.
8.
I wanted to work at a systems-level in order to reach more people, which led me to my current position at JFF as the director for Skills First Design.
