Karin Norington-Reaves
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
Chicago, IL USA
"You have value and limitless potential. Don’t let anyone stomp on that or make you think that you are not enough."
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Karin's work combines: Education, Government, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I was a teacher, I had a principal who used negative motivation. When I told her that I was leaving to become a lawyer, she said, "You won't be any better of a lawyer than you are a teacher." I journaled a lot, and still do sometimes. This helped me process my feelings and get clarity. It allowed me to cut through the noise and get to my center. I also read affirmations and inspirational sayings that motivated me.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Hispanic Studies—Spanish Language and Literature, with a concentration in Portuguese and Italian
Northwestern University
Doctorate
Law
Southern Methodist University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
My parents divorced by the time I was two years old, so I was raised by my mom as a single parent—she worked hard, long hours and wasn’t home often, but I also had support from my extended family.
2.
I started working in retail when I was about 15 years old, which was my first exposure to professional responsibility.
3.
I got into my dream school, Northwestern University, for my bachelor’s degree and was the second African American student government president!
4.
After graduating, I joined Teach for America and was selected to teach in Compton, California, during the Los Angeles riots—I realized that some of the most brilliant students were underserved.
5.
I eventually left to go to law school and fulfill my dream of becoming a lawyer so that I could make a bigger and more systemic impact.
6.
I got a job at the Department of Justice and was hoping to get promoted to the civil rights department, but my dreams were crushed when I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder.
7.
I moved back home to Chicago, regained my health, and went back to work—I held a variety of jobs that ultimately led me to aid the merge of the city and county’s workforce development efforts.
8.
I now work as the CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Development Partnership, helping to create career opportunities for overlooked individuals with untapped potential.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You won't be any better of a lawyer than you are a teacher.
How I responded:
When I was a teacher, I had a principal who used negative motivation. When I told her that I was leaving to become a lawyer, she said, "You won't be any better of a lawyer than you are a teacher." I journaled a lot, and still do sometimes. This helped me process my feelings and get clarity. It allowed me to cut through the noise and get to my center. I also read affirmations and inspirational sayings that motivated me.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I struggled during my first year of law school. I missed the students I taught through Teach for America. I cried often and didn't know if I made the right decision. My former students sent me hand-drawn encouraging pictures, which got me through it.
While working as a litigator, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and lost my dream job. I was housebound, devastated, and had to move back home. It took a while, but I regained my health and went back to work.