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Susanna Williams

Susanna Williams

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Career Roadmap

Susanna's work combines: Education, Writing, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Associate Program Officer

I build connections and tell stories.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Earlham College

  • Graduate Degree

    American Government and Politics (United States)

    Earlham College

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Marketing Managers:

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Whatever interests you

Graduate Degree: Sociology, General

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    Bonner Foundation scholarship for community service in college --> wanted to be a program officer.

  • 2.

    Worked in DC b/c I wanted to change the world. Became a teacher b/c that would actually do it.

  • 3.

    Taught 3rd grade for 3 years. Moved to Seattle on a whim, b/c I needed a change. Became fearless.

  • 4.

    Left a job where I was miserable. Babysat & cleaned houses until I found a new job.

  • 5.

    Started a Facebook group to get a former City Council member to run for mayor & jumped into politics.

  • 6.

    Left politics & was very deeply unemployed. Temped. Went on food stamps. Got a job at a tech college.

  • 7.

    Received a German Marshall Memorial Fellowship. Helped me see my potential.

  • 8.

    Sent a cold message via LinkedIn to a director at the Gates Foundation & now I'm a program officer.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Parents:

    You shouldn't leave a job until you have another one lined up.

  • How I responded:

    I chose to take care of myself and learned that I would always have wings or something to stand on. I signed up with temp agencies. I let people know I was available to babysit. I cleaned houses. I signed up for food stamps. There is always work for those who are willing to do it. But I knew that I could not continue as I was.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • My parents prioritized education but we weren't rich. I didn't think about my student loans for either degree. I've put any extra money I could into paying them down. Tax returns, savings. Don't skip payments. $18K to go!