skip to main content
Dawn Kennedy

Dawn Kennedy

Indiana University Health

Career Roadmap

Dawn's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Medicine, and Learning / Being Challenged

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Intermediate Compensation Consultant

I ensure pay equity by market pricing jobs and writing job descriptions.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Blackhawk Christian

  • Bachelor's Degree

    English and WoWomen’s Studies

    IPFW

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Compensation, Benefits, & Job Analysis Specialists:

Bachelor's Degree: English and WoWomen’s Studies

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    I was unable to attend the university away from my home town due to finances. I decided to make the best of it and moved in with some friends.

  • 2.

    I started working at a bookstore with lots of other college student and on campus this made me feel connected to the school and my studies.

  • 3.

    I started school as pre-medicine and quickly realized I hated the work. Once I realized this I declared my major as English.

  • 4.

    I worked 3 jobs, including as a Residential Assistant (RA), to save money for my first studio apartment. Working as an RA and living by myself taught me a lot about being a responsible adult.

  • 5.

    I graduated from school with my English and Women’s Studies degrees. This was a proud moment as the first woman in my family to receive a college degree.

  • 6.

    Started my first job out of school in an Insurance Company call center. It was my first experience in an office. I quickly realized I wanted to do Human Resources.

  • 7.

    After 2 1/2 years I finally received my first Human Resources job and it happened to be in Compensation. I found a passion for the work.

  • 8.

    I decided it was time to move to a larger job mark and moved to Indianapolis for a Compensation position with a larger organization.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    I had a lot of people tell me I would never find a job with my Women’s Studies and English degrees.

  • How I responded:

    I had a professor say we were in school to grow a skill set rather than one specific skill. My degrees provided me with a range of skills that I use everyday as a HR professional. I am an excellent communicator, critical thinker, and well rounded team member mostly due to the skills I gained from my liberal arts degree.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • I built a chosen family at school that pushed me to finish my classes and work hard. Getting to know professors also helped me feel connected to my studies.