Educator Advises Students To Have A Positive Work Culture
With many of the biggest names in technology headquartered here, San Francisco is a world leader in innovation. An important segment of the local tech industry is online learning, also known as e-learning and educational technology (edtech). Despite a continued teacher shortage in San Francisco and in other parts of California, online learning has played a vital role in education for local students, especially for those who have difficulty traveling to more traditional, institutions of higher learning. San Francisco-based Udemy is an industry leader, offering a variety of courses from many of the best instructors in their fields. One of those instructors, Stella Grizont, took time to share career advice for San Francisco students.
What is your background and education?
"After burning out on my own professional career as a brand strategist, thanks to long hours and corporate politics, I needed a change. I discovered an organization called Ladies Who Launch, which, at that time, was the fastest growing community for women entrepreneurs. Eight years later, it was my full-time business, and I had helped more than 1,200 women launch their dreams. I later received a master's in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving my degree, I founded WOOPAAH, and have been teaching on Udemy since December 2013."
What course do you teach at Udemy?
"I teach a course called "The Science of Happiness: Hacks and Skills to Flourish." The course helps you better manage negative emotions, feel more engaged in your work, experience greater purpose and meaning, and feel more love and warmth in your relationships."
What career advice can you offer to education majors?
"Ask yourself about the type of experience you want to have with your co-workers and, especially, your manager. Research shows that our relationships are the biggest predictor of happiness – even beyond health, income, and success. Yet, often when we apply for jobs or choose a career path, we rarely think about the people we'll be working with. You don't necessarily have to be great friends, but a positive work culture with a group of people who are nice goes a long way."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.
