Career Roadmap
Caroline's work combines: Acting & Theatre, Education, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Wade Hampton High School
Bachelor's Degree
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Furman University
Graduate Degree
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Texas Tech University
Bachelor's Degree
Women's Studies
Furman University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Art, Drama, & Music Teachers, Postsecondary:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Theatre/Theater
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
First, I thought I wanted to be an actor.
2.
After college I had a year-long internship at a professional theatre in FL.
3.
Touring children's theatre in FL showed me that I have a passion for teaching I didn't realize I had.
4.
So I went to graduate school to get a degree in Performance and Pedagogy (teaching acting).
5.
Then my dad got sick, so I moved home and I got a job at a charter school teaching theatre.
6.
Now I'm teaching! I may teach forever, or I may work in the theatre in some other capacity one day.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You're so good at math, majoring in the theatre would be a waste of your marketable skills. You're not conventionally pretty enough to be an actor because you'd only get character parts. You're too emotional to be taken seriously.
How I responded:
I care TOO MUCH about what people think of me. Still. It's something that never goes away. But you have to remember that only YOU have to live with the choices you make forever. So make the ones that are going to make you the best and happiest version of yourself. Find people that you trust (this is important, you need to know that these people truly have your best interest at heart) and ask them for guidance when you need it. Don't be afraid of failure. Failure teaches us how to succeed later.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
In high school, my parents both declared bankruptcy. We couldn't afford school field trips our class buyouts and I was so embarrassed. Research scholarships, Google organizations in your area that work with under-resrouced families. Ask for help!
My dad came out in high school. It was hard to hear people around me say horrible things about LGBT people. But stand for what is right. There are allies around, but no one can help if they don't know you need it. Reach out to a trustworthy source.