This weeks sponsored template: Cole Hackett

Bio:

I am a 24 year old Bay Area Native who made a career change to go back to school and I moved to Nashville, Tennessee! I am in my first of a two year masters in education program at Vanderbilt University studying Secondary Sciences. I am also participating on a research project focused on learning intervention strategies with first graders.

I grew up in San Jose, CA, attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and moved up to San Francisco after I graduated in 2022, where I lived for just under two years while I worked in Environmental Consulting. I quit my job this past spring after getting accepted to grad schools to pursue my new career goal of becoming a teacher.

I studied Environmental Management and City Planning in my undergrad which led me to a job in consulting where I entered as prepared and set up to succeed. After about a year of doing well and taking on more responsibility I had a moment of realization that this job did not align with what I thought my strengths were and how I could be the best version of myself. I set out on a soul search and job hunt to find a new career with more human interaction and more time spent working with people instead of behind a screen working on environmental impact reports. I always loved teaching and coaching (my mom was a teacher) and my college course work took me away from it and down a different path. While looking for new jobs I found myself applying and focusing on jobs that had elements of education and focused on being around other people. After more job hunting and discussion with friends and family I decided that becoming a teacher would be the most fulfilling career to pursue, so I went for it! Luckily, I found a great school with an exciting research project that will allow me to enter this next chapter of my life inspired and dedicated to finding a career that energizes me and inspires me to make the most out of my 9-5.

If you had to give one piece of advice for others in their twenties, what would it be?

"It is never “too early” to make a life change. The earlier the better! I was in a job that I was pretty good at, part of a company that showed strong growth and cared about me, and in an industry that was closely related to my major in college. But, when I looked around at my peers and superiors and realized building a future at this job would not lead to fulfillment or inspiration in my life. I am confident and comfortable with who I am and knowing that I need to feel inspired to be most motivated, so I knew I needed a change. Not everyone has the same opportunities to make a change, but if you are someone who needs to be passionate about something to be your best self, then do not let yourself stay in a job that doesn't scratch that itch! You do not have to stay in a job that sucks the passion out of you because your peers or society says you should stick it out for two years.

While we do not always know what type of job unlocks what we really want, it is equally important to know what you do not find inspiration from and to seek a change in pursuit of your true passion. Finding what you know you do not want to do is an important step to finding that job or career that leaves you inspired, motivated, and energized." - Cole Hackett

Goals this week:

Get used to doing homework again
Stay consistent with updating work and class calendars (syncing Gmail and Outlook to my iCloud is a huge technological accomplishment for me)
Email 2-3 local schools/clubs to coach soccer for by the spring

Habits:

Continue getting 10k steps every day
Morning coffee and NYT Mini to wake up my brain
Unload the dishwasher/ laundry basket all at once
Keep my bed making streak alive

Thrill a Days:

Monday: Monday Night Football is back!
Tuesday: Morning walk and coffee (my busiest afternoons/evenings)
Wednesday: Game night with my cohort
Thursday: Try a new lunch spot when driving around for work
Friday: Check out a new bar that has local live music
Saturday: Have some friends over to watch the Vandy Football game
Sunday: Rest while watching the red zone channel

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