| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Write letters of recommendation for students. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Assist students who need extra help with their coursework outside of class. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Participate in campus and community events. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Teach writing or communication classes. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Participate in cultural and literary activities, such as traveling abroad and attending performing arts events. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Teach classes using online technology. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as poetry, novel structure, and translation and adaptation. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Schedule courses. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities. |
Master Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Master's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Master's Degree.
A master's degree deepens expertise and often unlocks specialized, supervisory, or higher-paying roles beyond a bachelor's degree. For people weighing whether advanced study will meaningfully expand their career options. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Doctorate Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Doctorate Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Master Degree Jobs ![]()
What jobs can you get with a Master's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Master's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Master's Degree. - 90 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Masters Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
75,000U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
79,600
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
4,700 (6.2%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
7,500
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Write grant proposals to procure external research funding. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Review manuscripts for publication in professional journals. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Recruit, train, and supervise department personnel, such as faculty and student writing instructors. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Act as advisers to student organizations. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Write original literary pieces. |
| Importance: 53 (%) | Description: Conduct staff performance evaluations. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head. |
| Importance: 47 (%) | Description: Provide assistance to students in college writing centers. |
| Importance: 31 (%) | Description: Provide professional consulting services to government or industry. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress. | |
| Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies. | |
| Advise students on academic or career matters. | |
| Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge. | |
| Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials. | |
| Develop instructional materials. | |
| Develop instructional objectives. | |
| Direct activities of subordinates. | |
| Direct department activities. | |
| Edit documents. | |
| Edit written materials. | |
| Evaluate effectiveness of educational programs. | |
| Evaluate performance of educational staff. | |
| Evaluate student work. | |
| Guide class discussions. | |
| Maintain student records. | |
| Order instructional or library materials or equipment. | |
| Perform student enrollment or registration activities. | |
| Plan community programs or activities for the general public. | |
| Prepare activity or work schedules. | |
| Prepare staff schedules or work assignments. | |
| Prepare tests. | |
| Promote educational institutions or programs. | |
| Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy. | |
| Research topics in area of expertise. | |
| Schedule instructional activities. | |
| Select educational materials or equipment. | |
| Serve on institutional or departmental committees. | |
| Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization. | |
| Supervise student research or internship work. | |
| Teach classes in area of specialization. | |
| Teach humanities courses at the college level. | |
| Teach online courses. | |
| Train staff members. | |
| Tutor students who need extra assistance. | |
| Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise. | |
| Write grant proposals. | |
| Write reports or evaluations. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: History and Archeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Advise others on educational or vocational matters. |
| Activity: Assess student capabilities, needs, or performance. |
| Activity: Assign work to others. |
| Activity: Compile records, documentation, or other data. |
| Activity: Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Edit written materials or documents. |
| Activity: Evaluate personnel capabilities or performance. |
| Activity: Evaluate programs, practices, or processes. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities. |
| Activity: Plan events or programs. |
| Activity: Prepare informational or instructional materials. |
| Activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Promote products, services, or programs. |
| Activity: Purchase goods or services. |
| Activity: Schedule operational activities. |
| Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects. |
| Activity: Serve on organizational committees. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
| Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects. |
| Activity: Train others on operational or work procedures. |
| Activity: Write material for artistic or commercial purposes. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| Widely Used Tech Skills | ||||||
| Computer based training software: | ||||||
| Learning management system LMS | ||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | ||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | ||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||
| Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop | ||||||
| Internet browser software: | ||||||
| Apple Safari | ||||||
| Office suite software: | ||||||
| Microsoft Office software | ||||||
| Presentation software: | ||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | ||||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||
| Google Docs Microsoft Word | ||||||
| General Software Tools | ||||||
| Computer based training software (scroll table below): | ||||||
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| Data base user interface and query software: | ||||||
| Blackboard software | ||||||
| Document management software: | ||||||
| Adobe Acrobat Reader | ||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||
| Email software | ||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||
| Graphics creation software | ||||||
| Information retrieval or search software: | ||||||
| DOC Cop iParadigms Turnitin | ||||||
| Internet browser software: | ||||||
| Google Chrome Web browser software | ||||||
| Music or sound editing software: | ||||||
| VLC Media Player | ||||||
| Optical character reader OCR or scanning software: | ||||||
| Image scanning software | ||||||
| Process mapping and design software: | ||||||
| Lucidchart | ||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | ||||||
| Apple QuickTime | ||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||
| Collaborative editing software |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 58.4 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 30.4 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.6 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.3 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 26.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 26.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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National Board Certification - Adolescence and Young Adulthood - English Language Arts | |
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National Board Certification - Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood - English as a New Language | |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
