How Teaching First Grade Inspires Mission of Faith

In Chapter 1 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "To What Do You Aspire?" Going into Teach for America, Smith is assigned to teach first grade instead of his preference for fourth or fifth grade. Teaching the children to read proves to be a transformational moment that connects Smith to student families and leads him deeper into a mission to provide great schools for every child.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows.

Preston Smith on Joining Teach for America After Graduating College

In Chapter 3 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "Why Did You Join Teach for America After Graduating College?" Smith shares how growing up in a low income community with underperforming schools helped him connect to the Teach for America mission. He finds the program an opportunity to make a community impact right after college. The program helps him pay back his student loans and leads while making a difference and finding inspiration to build an education career.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows.

Mark Graham on the Career Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

In Chapter 7 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, media executive Mark Graham answers "Where Has Your Liberal Arts Education Been Most Valuable in Your Career?"  Studying liberal arts at the University of Michigan exposes Graham to a wide array of subjects. Graham takes this approach in his career, building a broad set of experiences working in marketing and digital media before transitioning into television and editorial publishing jobs. Mark Graham is currently a managing editor at MTV Networks. Previously Graham worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English. 

Mark Graham on How to Socialize Your Successes in an Entry-Level Job

In Chapter 8 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, media executive Mark Graham answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job Out of College That is Still Relevant Today?" In an entry-level marketing assistant job, Graham learns the importance of socializing his successes on the job. As an entry-level hire working in a large corporation, Graham learns to clearly explain to others the value he contributes to a project and how that relates to the company's success as a whole. Mark Graham is currently a managing editor at MTV Networks. Previously Graham worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English. 

Mark Graham on Essential Advice Every Intern Needs to Know

In Chapter 14 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, media executive Mark Graham answers "How Have You Learned to Give Better Advice When People Ask You For Help?" Graham shares what he does to counsel interns on how to build career skills in an internship and get a full-time job working in media and entertainment. He shares the importance of making connections and keeping in touch with your professional network. Additionally, he shares the importance of saying yes and taking initiative to go above and beyond your job description. Lastly, he pushes interns to socialize their successes to others in the organization can better understand the contribution they make in their time working the internship.

Mark Graham is currently a managing editor at MTV Networks. Previously Graham worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

Conrad Doucette on the Career Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

In Chapter 10 of 17 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, musician and digital strategist Conrad Doucette answers "Where Has Your Liberal Arts Education Been Most Valuable in Your Career?" Doucette finds not specializing at college (e.g., engineering, business) gives him a broad palette of tools to apply in a range of team-based environments. He is able to translate the openness he receives studying at the University of Michigan into confidence he uses working on creative project teams in music and at Internet startups.

Conrad Doucette is a Brooklyn musician and the drummer for the band Takka Takka. He has performed with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The National, Alina Simone, and many other leading acts. When not performing music, Doucette is the communications and brand director at music licensing and publishing startup Jingle Punks. Doucette earned a BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

Conrad Doucette on Making the Most of Your First Job After College

In Chapter 11 of 17 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, musician and digital strategist Conrad Doucette answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job After College That is Still Relevant Today?" After graduating college and starting an entry-level job, Doucette learns how to work as part of a team, get along with others, and operate as an employee in a corporate hierarchy structure. He finds these people skills of long-term value in his career.

Conrad Doucette is a Brooklyn musician and the drummer for the band Takka Takka. He has performed with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The National, Alina Simone, and many other leading acts. When not performing music, Doucette is the communications and brand director at music licensing and publishing startup Jingle Punks. Doucette earned a BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

Simon Sinek on Building Trusting Teams in the US Marine Corps

In Chapter 7 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and public speaker Simon Sinek answers "What Has the United States Marine Corps Taught You About How a Circle of Safety Motivates Staff?" Sinek shares what Marine Corps basic training has taught him about leading teams more effectively. The United States Marine Corps breaks down the individual and trains them to be interdependent on their fellow Marines. This creates a circle of safety bond of trust that allows Marines to increase team performance in the most difficult situations. Simon Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. Sinek is the author of two books, "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Come Together and Others Don't" and "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action". He is a public speaker, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a Brandeis University graduate.

Simon Sinek on Creating Space in Your Life to Do Your Best Work

In Chapter 16 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, author and public speaker Simon Sinek answers "What Do You Find Are the Keys to Managing a Busy Schedule and Getting Things Done?" At this point in his career, Sinek has developed his strengths and knows how to give responsibility for things that are not core strengths to others he trusts. He notes this is something you learn to do and why it is important that Gen Y and Millennials first invest time doing many things so they may then find their strengths and create value in their work. Simon Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. Sinek is the author of two books, "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Come Together and Others Don't" and "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action". He is a public speaker, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a Brandeis University graduate.

Lauren Serota on the Give and Take of Learning and Teaching Design

In Chapter 6 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and educator Lauren Serota answers "How Are Your Responsibilities Changing As You Gain Work Experience?" After three years working at frog design, Serota finds she is ready to transition from learning from job experience to teaching others what she has learned on the job. This coincides with growing creative leader responsibilities at work, continuing teaching responsibilities at her school, and new ways to make an impact in the design community.

Lauren Serota works as an associate creative director at frog design. She is also a teacher at the Austin Center for Design (AC4D). Serota earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). 

Yoav Gonen on Life Lessons Waiting Tables in First Job After College

In Chapter 3 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City reporter Yoav Gonen answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job After College That is Still Relevant Today?" In his first job after college, Gonen waits tables working at a Philadelphia restaurant called Alligators. Waiting tables pushes Gonen to trust himself learning new things such as carrying a tray full of drinks over your head, especially when you do not have a choice. Yoav Gonen is a reporter and City Hall Bureau Chief for the New York Post daily newspaper. Previously he spent nearly six years covering the education beat for the New York Post. Gonen earned a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Journalism from New York University.

Michael Margolis on Learning Work Ethic After Graduating College

In Chapter 4 of 17 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and entrepreneur Michael Margolis answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Margolis notes he did not develop a hard work ethic until after graduating college, when he knew he had to find work and decided to create jobs and businesses to make an impact. He finds motivation in the process of proving to himself and others his work is meaningful. Margolis notes how he Michael Margolis is founder and president of Get Storied, an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. He earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.

Tricia Regan on Childhood Influences on Her Social Impact Film Career

In Chapter 2 of 15 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, filmmaker Tricia Regan answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental to Shaping Who You Are Today?" Regan shares how not feeling understood as a child has drawn her to tell the stories of child subjects in dire situations or who do not quite fit into the world. These lead her to topics that include autism and stuttering and take her around the world to film in Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Tricia Regan is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing documentary films, including the Emmy-winning "Autism: The Musical". She also has worked extensively in non-fiction television for A&E, ABC, FOX, Lifetime, MTV Networks and NBC. Regan earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University. 

Richard Moross on the Value of Hard Work in a Startup Company Culture

In Chapter 3 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Moross shares that he does not have a "work ethic" but rather sees it as investing time in doing what he is passionate about. Working at a startup, Sorted.com, Moross learns the value of hard work and is influenced by the commitment and dedication to quality of his co-workers.

Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Clara Soh on Getting Your Parents to Support Your Career Choices

In Chapter 2 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?" Soh shares how her Korean parents have often had a hard time understanding her career decisions, from joining the Peace Corps to working in non-profit and public policy jobs. Over time, Soh shows her parents that not going to medical school is okay and her parents learn to accept her choices and give her emotional support. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

James McCormick on How Family Can Support Your Career and Life Decisions

In Chapter 1 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?" McCormick notes that his parents have provided consistent support and it has always been about helping him find something that engages and challenges him and helping him make sure he has thought through the decision before making it. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan. 

Leslie Kerner on Learning Client Relationship Management at Deloitte

In Chapter 9 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job After College That is Still Relevant Today?" In her first job out of college, Kerner takes a job as a business analyst at management consulting company Deloitte. There she learns the importance of client relationship management working across industries in diverse work environments. By building trust and helping clients understand she was there to help and not hinder, Kerner builds project teams that work together to solve problems.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Leslie Kerner on How Volunteering Can Help You Find Your Passion

In Chapter 12 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "How Has Volunteering Impacted Your Learning and Development?" Kerner starts volunteering in college, tutoring elementary and middle school children. This hands-on teaching experience ignites her passion for education and her desire to improve the K-12 teaching and learning experience. She gains more senior experience as a volunteer board member and learns leadership working with the Special Olympics and, later, Peer Health Exchange.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.