We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ali Mammadov a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ali, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.

To prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career, I would advocate for a more holistic and integrated approach to education that combines academic rigor with practical skills, emotional intelligence, and real-world experiences. This approach would involve several key changes:

Emphasis on Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Shifting the focus from rote memorization to developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through project-based learning and interdisciplinary studies.
Integration of Emotional and Social Learning: Incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) into the curriculum to help students develop self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills.
Focus on Practical Life Skills: Equipping students with practical life skills such as financial literacy, digital literacy, time management, and civic responsibilities to navigate adulthood confidently.
Personalized and Adaptive Learning: Leveraging technology to provide personalized learning paths that cater to individual strengths and weaknesses, ensuring all students achieve their full potential.
Stronger Connection Between Education and Career Preparation: Enhancing career readiness by providing students with career counseling, internships, mentorship programs, and opportunities to explore various career paths from an early age.

Personal Story:
Growing up in Azerbaijan, I experienced firsthand the limitations of an education system that prioritized memorization over critical thinking and practical skills. While I excelled academically, I felt unprepared for real-world challenges when I entered university and the workforce.

One particularly illustrative story is from my time teaching in refugee camps in Türkiye and Poland. I encountered many young students who, despite having the potential and eagerness to learn, were hindered by a lack of access to quality education and resources. These students needed more than just traditional academic instruction; they needed support in developing practical skills, emotional resilience, and confidence to overcome their circumstances.

This experience highlighted the importance of a more comprehensive educational approach that addresses not only academic knowledge but also practical and emotional skills. By integrating these elements into the education system, we can better prepare students for fulfilling lives and successful careers, regardless of their backgrounds.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Introduction
Hello, my name is Ali Mammadov. I am currently a Master of Public Affairs candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I also teach Introduction to International Studies. My journey into the education sector began from a deep-seated passion for educational equity and youth empowerment, which led me to found HopEdu, a social platform dedicated to providing consulting services to low-income and young individuals. Through HopEdu, I strive to help these students access educational opportunities and achieve their academic dreams.

How I Got Into the Industry
My entry into the education sector was driven by a personal commitment to making a difference in the lives of underserved communities. This commitment was shaped by my own experiences in education and the realization of the transformative power of learning. Over the years, I have taught different course such research methods and statistics at ADA University in Azerbaijan, and before that, I was also teaching English in refugee camps in Türkiye and Poland. These roles have allowed me to understand the diverse challenges faced by students from various backgrounds and inspired me to create solutions that address these challenges directly.

Services Provided by HopEdu
HopEdu offers a range of services aimed at leveling the playing field for disadvantaged students. These include:

Educational Consulting: We provide personalized guidance on college applications, scholarship opportunities, and academic planning to help students navigate the complexities of higher education.
Mentorship Programs: By connecting students with mentors who can offer academic and career advice, we aim to empower them with the knowledge and support needed to succeed.
Workshops and Training: We conduct workshops on essential skills such as essay writing, interview preparation, and time management to enhance students’ readiness for academic and professional environments.
Problems We Solve
At HopEdu, we address several key issues:

Access to Information: Many low-income and marginalized students lack access to information about educational opportunities. We bridge this gap by providing comprehensive guidance and resources.
Financial Barriers: We assist students in identifying and applying for scholarships and financial aid, reducing the financial burden that often hinders their educational pursuits.
Lack of Support Systems: By offering mentorship and community support, we help students build networks that are crucial for their academic and personal growth.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets HopEdu apart is our personalized and holistic approach to education consulting. We don’t just provide information; we build lasting relationships with our students, offering continuous support and guidance throughout their educational journey. Our commitment to equity and empowerment is at the core of everything we do, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed.

Proud Achievements
One of my proudest achievements with HopEdu is the success stories of our students. Many of our students have been admitted to prestigious universities such as Columbia, London School of Economics (LSE), University of Maryland, UCLA, Harvard Extension, and others. Additionally, on a personal level, I have studied at five different universities and have been awarded scholarships at all of these institutions. These accomplishments reflect both my commitment to academic excellence and my dedication to helping others achieve similar success.

Key Messages
For potential clients, followers, and supporters, I want you to know that HopEdu is dedicated to breaking down barriers to education. Our mission is to empower students by providing the resources, guidance, and support they need to realize their full potential. We believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to making it accessible to all.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During my final year of undergraduate studies, I faced one of the most challenging periods of my academic journey. I was determined to pursue a master’s degree, which required a rigorous application process to universities worldwide. At the same time, I was finalizing my bachelor’s degree by writing my thesis, teaching as an instructor at ADA University, and taking additional courses to further my knowledge. Balancing these responsibilities was incredibly demanding, but my resilience and dedication kept me focused on my goals.

The process of applying to graduate programs was daunting. I meticulously researched universities, prepared applications, wrote personal statements, and gathered recommendations. This was all happening while I was deeply engaged in my thesis, which required extensive research and countless hours of writing and revision. As an instructor, I was also committed to delivering high-quality education to my students, preparing lectures, and grading assignments. Furthermore, the additional courses I was taking added another layer of complexity to my already packed schedule.

Despite the overwhelming workload and the physical and mental exhaustion, I remained resolute. My dream was to study in the United States, and I knew that every effort I made was a step toward achieving that dream. I organized my time meticulously, often working late into the night and waking up early to ensure that I met all my commitments.

The results of my efforts were beyond my expectations. I was accepted into 23 universities around the world. This overwhelming success was a testament to my hard work and determination. Among these offers was an acceptance letter from my dream university in the United States. The moment I received that letter was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It was not just an acceptance into a university, but a validation of my resilience and perseverance.

Coming to the United States to pursue my master’s degree has been a transformative experience. It has opened doors to opportunities I had only dreamed of and has allowed me to further my mission of promoting educational equity through HopEdu. My journey is a reminder that with resilience and determination, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.

Any advice for managing a team?

From my experience leading Speak for Youth, an organization dedicated to empowering young people to be their own advocates, I have learned several valuable lessons about team management and motivation.

1. Clear Vision and Goals:
One of the first steps in managing a team is to establish a clear vision and set achievable goals. At Speak for Youth, our mission was to give young people a platform to voice their concerns and aspirations. By clearly communicating this mission and setting specific objectives for each project, my team understood their purpose and the impact of their work. This clarity helped align our efforts and maintain focus.

2. Empowerment and Trust:
Empowering team members by delegating responsibilities and trusting them to deliver results is crucial. Leading a team of 15 at Speak for Youth, I made it a point to assign tasks based on individual strengths and interests. This approach not only ensured that tasks were completed efficiently but also fostered a sense of ownership and accountability among team members.

3. Open Communication:
Maintaining open lines of communication is essential for addressing concerns and fostering a collaborative environment. I encouraged regular check-ins and feedback sessions where team members could share their ideas and challenges. This practice helped build a supportive team culture where everyone felt heard and valued.

4. Recognition and Appreciation:
Recognizing and appreciating the efforts of team members is vital for maintaining high morale. At Speak for Youth, we celebrated milestones and individual achievements, whether through public acknowledgment in meetings or personal notes of appreciation. Recognizing hard work and celebrating successes boosted morale and motivated the team to continue performing at their best.

5. Support and Development:
Investing in the development of team members by providing opportunities for learning and growth is important. I organized workshops and training sessions on various skills, such as public speaking, project management, and advocacy. These opportunities not only enhanced the team’s capabilities but also showed them that their growth was a priority for the organization.

A Story of Team Management and High Morale
During my tenure at Speak for Youth, we undertook a significant project to organize a nationwide youth conference. The goal was to bring together young leaders from diverse backgrounds to discuss issues affecting youth and develop actionable solutions.

To manage this ambitious project, I divided the team into subgroups, each responsible for different aspects of the conference, such as logistics, content creation, and outreach. I appointed subgroup leaders based on their expertise and provided them with the autonomy to make decisions within their areas. This structure allowed us to work efficiently and ensured that every team member had a clear role and responsibility.

Throughout the planning process, we held weekly meetings to review progress, address challenges, and brainstorm ideas. I made sure to create an inclusive environment where every team member felt comfortable sharing their thoughts. This open communication helped us stay on track and quickly resolve any issues that arose.

As the conference date approached, the team’s hard work and dedication became increasingly evident. To keep morale high during this intense period, I organized small team-building activities and surprise appreciation events. One evening, we had a spontaneous celebration where we shared stories, laughed, and acknowledged the tremendous effort everyone had put in.

The conference was a resounding success, with over 80-100 young leaders participating and contributing to meaningful discussions. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and our team felt a deep sense of accomplishment. This project was a testament to the power of clear vision, empowerment, open communication, recognition, and support in managing a team and maintaining high morale.

Leading Speak for Youth taught me that effective team management requires a balance of strategic planning and emotional intelligence. By setting clear goals, empowering team members, fostering open communication, recognizing efforts, and supporting development, leaders can create an environment where teams thrive and achieve remarkable outcomes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali.mammadov20?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-mammadov-87027a20b