My Story
I am a first-generation college graduate who overcame childhood poverty and adult insecurities to achieve significant career success. Rising above these obstacles wasn't easy, but it's a journey that has deeply enriched my life, fueling my passion for helping other first gens and individuals from underrepresented communities, like me, reach their career and professional goals.
My yearning to uncover keys to career success for first gens led me to conduct scholarly research at the University of Pennsylvania, resulting in my book, 'The Journey From College to Career: How First Generation Black and Hispanic Graduates Found Success.' This book delves into the secrets of success for 23 first gens, featuring their inspiring stories.
I invite you to explore these powerful journeys and discover the illuminating paths to career success these first gens offer.
About Dr. Jeannette
Inspiring Author
Dr. Jeannette's book, "The Journey from College to Career," is an inspiring exploration of first-generation Black and Hispanic college graduates' success stories. As a first-gen individual herself, she overcame systemic challenges and self-doubt to achieve notable career accomplishments.
This book is born from her personal and professional journey to understand how first-gen students transition from college to career success. It features in-depth interviews from scholarly research with first-gen grads who overcame adversity, showcasing their resilience and determination.
This body of work offers an in-depth look at the strategies that not only kick-started the first gens' careers but also steered their professional growth. This book is more than just a story; it's a roadmap to inspire and guide individuals, particularly first gens, to realize their own career success.
Accomplished Leader
Dr. Jeannette is an accomplished HR Executive, Educator, Career Strategist and Leader with a global impact in corporate, academic, and non-profit areas. Her notable accomplishments include leading an organization to FORTUNE's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list, improving employee engagement, creating and teaching innovative coursework, and winning the 2023 DCA Live HR Leaders of the Year Award.
Her career spans significant roles at renown organizations like Verizon, Fannie Mae, Banco Popular, AFGE, and Network Rail Consulting, where she excelled as Chief Human Resources Officer. Her business acumen has consistently driven impressive results.
She has held leadership positions at Georgetown, Trinity Washington, and Howard Universities, demonstrating her extensive expertise and influence.
Mission-Driven, Lifelong Learner
Dr. Jeannette's academic background includes a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA and BA from the University of Maryland College Park and Wells College, respectively. Her multidimensional expertise was further enhanced by senior human resources certifications: SPHR and SHRM-SCP, and Wharton Public Policy Certificate.
Her life's mission, greatly influenced by her time as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa, U.S. Olympic Envoy, and community involvement, focuses on empowering individuals and organizations, particularly those from underrepresented groups such as first-generation talents, unlocking their potential.
