Jodi Rafkin
Lead Student Success Specialist & Coach
InsideTrack
Wareham, MA
“Identify your desires rather than what others want or expect for you.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Started working as a waitress at 15 and did it all through school.
I don't feel like my high school guidance counselor helped me at all, and my parents didn't know. I don't think I made the best choice of where to go to school.
I found mentors and professors who inspired me.
I thought about getting a joint degree in law and international relations but an extra year and learning more language felt overwhelming. I wonder what that road would have looked like.
I got fired from a law clerking job and it took a while to stop feeling ashamed of that and learn from it.
I got a work study job with an amazing mentor who had a great influence on me for years to come.
I wasn't afraid when I realized I didn't love my job as much as I used to to walk away to find something that made me happier.
I started working in a completely different field because the mission of the organization really resonated with me. 10 years in I still love what I do.
Education
High School
Charlotte High School, Punta Gorda, FL
Charlotte High School, Punta Gorda, FL
Bachelor
Sociology and Government
Simmons University
Sociology and Government
Simmons University
Certification/License
Advanced Certificate Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation
European University Center for Peace Studies
Advanced Certificate Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation
European University Center for Peace Studies
Career
Lead Student Success Specialist & Coach
I support colleges, universities and students in identifying their goals and creating plans to achieve them.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People
Day to Day
Reviewing messages from students, educators and teammates. Talking with students about their goals, what they're doing to achieve them, and what is getting in the way. Talking with educators about how they can support student success at their schools and executive coaching them on their leadership. Supporting my teammates and finding ways to have fun while we're unlocking potential.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Do some research on companies and organizations who do this work. Do some informational interviews.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Bachelor
Anything that builds communication, emotional intelligence, and curiosity
Anything that builds communication, emotional intelligence, and curiosity
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"How can you walk away from a successful career with a great salary and benefits?"
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
Financial
