The thought of serving communities that lack teachers, especially in her home town of New York, inspired Rose to join the corps. Seeing how her fourth graders’ writing improved in their end-of-year thank you notes was one of her most rewarding experiences. The notes were also a powerful collection of ways she had influenced them that has inspired her throughout her successful career. “I always had an interest in helping people understand concepts better. Being able to think of creative ways to get a message across is what I did as a teacher, and what I’ve done throughout my career.” After many significant roles at big technology firms, Rose now operates her own company that provides marketing and communications strategy to many top clients. She is also in her fifth year serving on the board of directors of nationally-recognized early childhood development center, GeoKids.

Q & A

How did your teaching experience help you be successful in your current career?

I help technology companies explain their complex products in simple ways without using technical language and jargon. I take different approaches to ensure that a wide variety of people can understand a concept by making it relevant to them. I learned that skill as a teacher.

What surprised you most about teaching?

My first year I applied for a large technology grant with a team of teachers, which IBM awarded. My second year, that technology was being implemented at other schools in the district. I was surprised that my efforts affected the entire district, and was inspired to want to do this on a bigger scale.

If you could share one thing with someone who is thinking about becoming part of the corps, what would it be?

The corps will forge relationships that last more than two years. You will stay connected with students, and have an instant network of thousands of talented corps members. You will be part of a community that just keeps growing. I didn’t realize how powerful that would be for my life and career.