We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tracy G. Crump. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tracy G. below.
Hi Tracy G., thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?
The formula for career success involves more than book smarts. Internships, externships, and apprenticeships provide students with the missing piece – a real-world experience that shows them how to put their skills into action. Before settling on my current career (professor and attorney), I wanted to become a police officer. Fortunately, my undergraduate university offered internships as an avenue to allow students to “try on” a career before they “marry” it. So, I decided to intern at a police station.
I quickly learned that the television representation of 24/7 crimefighting and hand-to-hand combat police duties could have been more accurate. There was a lot of paperwork, shifting duties and responsibilities, more time spent outside in the elements (regardless of inclement weather) than I would have liked, exposure to traumatic events, and changes in workdays and times that may not mesh with an individual’s natural patterns. The internship experience taught me that I needed to consider other career opportunities because policing was not for me.
My second internship experience was in a nonpartisan civic research institution. Research hours were my happy place – I loved the unfettered freedom to explore and discover. My research journey began with ethics and the scientific method – the twin pillars of good science. From there, I developed a toolkit for conducting, writing, and presenting resonating research. As someone who thrives on asking questions and seeking answers, I felt right at home in the researcher role, and it was only a matter of time before I focused on higher education teaching.
I also accepted an externship in a judge’s chambers while in law school. The externship allowed me to use the information I learned in school in the courtroom. As an extern, I conducted legal research, helped draft legal documents, attended meetings with legal professionals, and assisted members of the courtroom workgroup at hearings and trials. Spending time on an externship sealed the deal for me. I knew I wanted to be an attorney.
The hands-on experience was exactly what I needed to figure out if a particular career path was right for me. My internships and externships delivered. I gained valuable insight into what drove each field and what it took to succeed. I scored face-to-face time with experts and benefitted from their extensive professional network. Some practitioners I met during my internships and externships served as mentors and recommendation letter writers for my future positions. My time spent interning and externing was eye-opening. It showed me what kind of work environment I thrive in and what I need to be happy and productive.
Tracy G., before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In addition to being a wife, mother, educator, author, and attorney, I am the founder and Chief Education Officer at Tracy Crump Enterprises. The incredible influence of education has dramatically altered my path – it is why I went from scrapping to becoming a game-changer in my industry. Regardless of zip code, ancestry, or wealth, achievement should be within everyone’s grasp. I envision a society where students can chase their aspirations without unfair obstacles blocking their path. I believe education could change the inequality narrative, giving everyone a fair shot at success. I am dedicated to crafting a reality where that is the norm.
I grew up in humble circumstances, which taught me to recognize the vast gaps between haves and have-nots. This gritty foundation has stayed with me ever since. College became my north star for pursuing a dream where everyone thrives. I was ready to work, grasp new opportunities, and seek a path to unite people.
Education and law became my passions because I craved a life of purpose where every action counted. My entry point into the working world was education and criminal justice – two arenas where I knew I could make a difference by aiming at systemic inequalities. My mindset changed when I understood that putting off problems would not make them disappear; I had to confront them head-on. The education system was often the source of the issue, and that is where I needed to focus my energy. A clarity of purpose washed over me, prompting a shift towards the groves of academe, where I could leave an indelible mark on the young minds that would one day shape our collective future. I have worn many hats in higher education – professor, administrator, consultant, and more. Titles come and go, but my purpose stays fixed: It is about transforming the lives of students, educators, and entire communities. I believe in going beyond just making a difference to making it count.
Education is my driving force, and at Tracy Crump Enterprises, I am fortunate to be able to drive real change. Educational institutions and individuals are the change-makers of our time. By standing alongside them, I contribute to a domino effect of inspiration, creativity, and boundless growth – creating a better future for all. Education is at its best when it is proactive. My work revolves around helping institutions take bold action – facilitating college readiness, driving inclusion initiatives, or addressing the critical issue of sexual misconduct on campus. To that end, I wear many hats – assessment expert, workshop facilitator, and trusted consultant.
I have a knack for finding the tripwires that sabotage success. I am always on the lookout for roadblocks that hinder progress. Once I spot them, I create customized plans to overcome them, and suddenly, individuals and organizations can reach their goals. I get pumped about being part of someone’s professional story, especially when I can help them tackle that one big obstacle or set them up for a lifetime of discovery. Moreover, focusing on student success via my book, “A.C.E.S. for Students: Strategies for Success in the First Year of College & Beyond,” helps them shatter their ceilings and accomplish more than they ever thought possible. That is what keeps me driven to help them get there.
I bring a distinct combination of art and science to the table. I have learned to mesh seemingly disparate pieces of knowledge and identify unexpected solutions that might not occur to others. In my toolkit, you will find a combination of hard-won legal knowledge, a deep understanding of criminal behavior, and the pedagogical skills to break it all down – a potent mix that lets me cut through the confusion and find creative pathways. I believe the best recommendations come from mixing and matching insights from different areas of expertise – it is a petri dish for innovative ideas that can spark real change. Throughout my career, I have cycled through different roles – student, practitioner, and educator – and each stop has equipped me with invaluable know-how that I now bring to the table in my consulting and advisory services. Problem-solving is my superpower – I love dissecting complex issues and finding innovative ways to fix them. I believe that research should never stay locked in a lab – it should be out there, making waves and transforming the world. My goal is to funnel the brainpower of top researchers into creating solutions that attack the root causes of humanity’s most stubborn challenges. What is my approach? Imagine innovation brought to life – that happens when we turn bold ideas into workable plans that make a lasting difference. It is challenging to pinpoint something I am most proud of; however, in addition to being a devoted family member, I am proud to serve as a teacher and mentor.
The main things I want potential clients and followers to know about me, my brand, and my work are that at the core of my work is a deep passion for education and a commitment to equity. It’s simple: everyone deserves a fair shot at getting a good education and improving their lives. I embody a holistic approach to addressing issues’ symptoms and root causes. Because I’m dedicated to effectiveness, you can count on my suggestions to be reliable and achievable. I adopt a client-centered services model to meet each client’s unique needs. As I sit down with clients, I hear their struggles and empathize with them. Transforming lives gets me going, so I pour my heart into crafting solutions that resonate with the people I partner with. Living your values is not just a goal – it is a necessity. Supporting authenticity is at the heart of my work. I want to see students, educators, and organizations thrive by being their amazing selves unapologetically. It is about more than just inspiration. I am dedicated to providing the necessary expertise and resources that help turn my students’ and clients’ visions into concrete, see-it-in-black-and-white successes. Fundamentally, I am a lifelong learner who stays abreast of the latest field developments. Refreshing my knowledge and refining my techniques is an ongoing commitment for me – ensuring I provide the highest level of service to those who put their trust in me.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I self-funded my business at the start. I loved my work, so leaving was not an option. In my spare time, I silently worked on personal endeavors that fueled my creativity. To quiet that inner tug, I saved money to give my ideas a real chance one day. At first, I used the funds to gain additional training and certificates. With a cushion in the bank, I purchased the gear, tech, and freelancer network I needed to turn my concepts into something concrete. It was not until I surrounded myself with seasoned business coaches that I finally started to grasp the nuances of being an entrepreneur. Figuring out who my audience was and what they cared about was crucial, so I invested in branding and marketing that spoke to them directly. When I felt ready, I invested in getting the required business credentials to operate and protect my assets legally.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The major lesson I had to unlearn was “business ideas must be perfect before going to market.” I was always taught that a person has one opportunity to make an impression on clients, so their ideas must be perfect when they go to market. I had to learn that “perfect” does not exist and that seeking perfection can result in procrastination. Ideas can always be streamlined. I do not strive for perfection when developing my ideas. Instead, I conduct market research, hold focus groups to get real-time customer feedback, and continually revise to develop offers that resonate with my audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tracycrumpenterprisesllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracygcrump/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.crump.372/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracygcrump/
