Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Susana Jimenez

Culinary school gave me the skills, but life gave me the lessons. You can’t truly learn flavor until you burn a sauce and fix it. You can’t understand leadership until you calm a team down in the middle of chaos. The classroom taught me technique; experience taught me who I am in the kitchen. Read More>>

Maria Estrella Leyva

One of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from a textbook—it came from the moment I decided to restart school with three children depending on me. Read More>>

Mark Alexander

One of the most important and impactful lessons I learned happened during my time at the University of Maryland, College Park. Basketball had always been a big part of my life. I played all the way through high school. Read More>>

Andrea Bredak

The School of Life’ The most important lessons I’ve learned didn’t happen within 4 walls – they came from the school of life. My classroom was the heart: the moment of loss, disappointment, and heartbreak that forced me to see who I truly was beneath all expectations. For years, I thought pain was punishment. Read More>>