Theresa Bedeau
Senior Manager
Capital One
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Studied pre-med, but realized that the work-family life I wanted was not achievable as a physician.
I volunteered as a young girl, and it strengthened my passion to work in the non-profit sector.
I was offered an opportunity to work for a bank and took it even though it was never a goal.
I LOVE the work that I do at the bank, and I almost passed it up because of my own insecurities.
I still remember my first public speaking engagement and how nervous I was; now it comes so natural.
Don't be afraid to try things that make you nervous or uncomfortable (refer to no. 5).
Education
High School
Cardinal Spellman
Cardinal Spellman
Career
Senior Manager
I partner with NPOs to connect financial products / services to communities that need it most.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Entrepreneurship
Non-Profit Organizations
Working with Others
Day to Day
A great day is one where I work with a range of people within the company and externally in the community. It could start with a meeting at a local branch to brainstorm around how to enhance a partnership serving low income immigrant women, mentoring small business owners on how to grow their business, participating as a judge at a business competition, serving on the Board of a non-profit organization, meeting with a team to solve a problem and create a needed solution, and more.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Talk to as many people as possible about their careers, their journey, and build your network! Offer to volunteer and learn about jobs / careers that you may not have ever heard of before. I wish I knew earlier on about Community Development Banking earlier on in my life, before spending my undergrad years studying medicine. (I didn't apply to medical school.) The world is evolving so fast and there are so many careers and jobs out there.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Why don't you apply to a safe school? Be more 'realistic' with your goals. Oh, but you don't go to a real Ivy League."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
First-Generation Immigrant
