Career Roadmap
Kermit's work combines: Education, Business, and Working with Others
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I got the opportunity to join an investment firm, I was torn because it felt like I was turning my back on my education career. It was an exciting and challenging opportunity but I didn't know if that's what I wanted for my career. It felt like I was making a forever decision. My mom's career change gave me the confidence to know that our lives and careers are long. If I take a shot at something and it doesn't work out, that's okay. You can take risks and change directions. You have time.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Engineering Science
Dartmouth College
Bachelor's Degree
Mechanical Engineering
Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth
Graduate Degree
Education
Stanford Graduate School of Education
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Both of my parents were educators, so teaching was all I knew.
2.
In high school, a math teacher suggested I look into engineering, so I ended up earning my bachelor’s degree in engineering.
3.
After graduating, I spent some time working in consulting before deciding to join Teach for America where my passion for education was reignited.
4.
Intrigued by the idea of learning how to combine my passion for education with the skills to lead organizations, I went back to school and earned a joint MBA and master’s degree in education.
5.
After graduate school, I went to work for an investment firm and was surprised at how much my skills and experience leading a classroom applied to my role as a leader of a company.
6.
I spent 13 years at the investment firm and then transitioned to CEO of Cengage Group, a global education technology company.
7.
I now work as the CEO of Penn Foster, where I lead our mission to open doors to better jobs through education for people who didn't find the right fit in the traditional education system.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
If I make this career choice, it has to be permanent and final.
How I responded:
When I got the opportunity to join an investment firm, I was torn because it felt like I was turning my back on my education career. It was an exciting and challenging opportunity but I didn't know if that's what I wanted for my career. It felt like I was making a forever decision. My mom's career change gave me the confidence to know that our lives and careers are long. If I take a shot at something and it doesn't work out, that's okay. You can take risks and change directions. You have time.