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Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence
01:16

Jennifer Lawrence

YouthBuild

New York, NY USA

"A lot of us think that happiness will arrive at our doorstep one day, but it's actually work- we have to make a plan for our happiness, be willing to make it happen, and know that we deserve it."

Career Roadmap

Jennifer's work combines: Entrepreneurship, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Executive Program Director

I help provide a safe loving environment for young people to transform their lives and communities.

My Day to Day

My work includes the creation and oversight of YouthBuild Schenectady and the ongoing expansion of our social enterprise services. My main focus is on building sustainability and infrastructure, with special attention to programming that provides a participatory learning environment, models high expectations, incorporates youth voice, and creates future hope.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

I remember saying to them that no matter what I decided to do I was going to do well in and then money will follow. I knew I had to follow my passion and do the things that I was interested in.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Social Work

    Siena College

  • Graduate Degree

    Social Work

    Fordham University

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Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    During her first semester of college, her father died unexpectedly.

  • 2.

    Before that, her childhood had been relatively free of conflict; after her father's death, she says "everything seemed bad."

  • 3.

    She returned to school and told her professors that she couldn't study for her midterms.

  • 4.

    Her professors told her, "No, you're not going to get a free pass; you're going to take these tests tomorrow."

  • 5.

    Those professors taught her that in life, you have to keep moving, because no one is going to stop and wait up for you.

  • 6.

    She went on to get her master's degree in business; always planned to work at a for-profit company.

  • 7.

    However, she heard about a YouthBuild program starting in her city and decided to join; from her very first day on the job, she "felt like she was home."

  • 8.

    Encourages young adults to set realistic goals, find mentors who can advise them on how to achieve those goals, and then relentlessly follow their advice.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Family:

    You're not going to make any money! Why don't you just be a receptionist?

  • How I responded:

    I remember saying to them that no matter what I decided to do I was going to do well in and then money will follow. I knew I had to follow my passion and do the things that I was interested in.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • My first semester in college my father passed away unexpectedly. I was at the dinner table with him at my grandparents house, 39 years old, and he died on the spot, they couldn't resuscitate him.

  • I am the first in my immediate family to attend college/university. I even went on to get a master's degree.

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