Vanessa Bush, M.Ed.
• Author, Relationship Builder, Lifelong Learner, Avid Traveler, Managing Perfectionist •
“Knowledge will bring you the opportunity to make a difference” – Claire Jagin
“Opening Cultural Doors through an Immersive and Transformative Study Abroad Experience”
After getting my first taste for international travel on my trip to England in 1998, I knew that I needed to continue my pursuit of global learning through traveling. After learning Spanish in middle and high school as well as electing it as one of my majors in college, I was so excited to have this wonderful opportunity! I looked forward to exploring new cultures, people, and places, and ended up learning more about myself than I originally thought possible.
Personal and Professional Strengths Exemplified:
Communication
Problem-solving
Personal growth
Culturally responsive
Self-awareness
"Exercising my Research, Communication, and Presentation Skills as an Undergraduate"
While taking a final Communication Seminar class at the University of New Hampshire, I decided that I wanted to submit my research project into the school’s Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) forum. The title of my work was “Christ Had a Wife?: Mary Magdalene as Hypersexual Icon.” This served as a turning point for me, putting together theory and practice by disseminating my research at a larger forum.
Personal and Professional Strengths Exemplified:
Communication
Personal growth
Self-awareness
Becoming a leader
“Developing Higher Education Awareness and Skills in Admissions”
Working at a college or university and become a part of academia again really interested me, and was something I had been thinking about for a while. In 2012, I landed a job in Admissions for Bay State College, and then moved over to Boston Architectural College in 2015. I learned so much in these positions, and one student comment in particular stands out: “If it weren’t for you, I would not be in college! Thank you!” – This made me realize and appreciate the momentous impact I am making on these students. Like volunteering with youth, helping students find their path in higher education is extremely rewarding, and I continue to serve students in this capacity today.
Personal and Professional Strengths Exemplified:
Problem-solving
Global awareness
Personal and professional growth
Systems thinking
Culturally responsive
Apply research to professional practice
“Expanding my Higher Education Knowledge by Obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education”
Since beginning my career in Higher Education, I immediately knew that I wanted to pursue a Master’s degree. There was much I had to learn, and being a lifelong learner, I could not wait to get started! Because I was located in Boston, a competitive hub for higher education, having a Master’s degree would be vital to increasing job responsibilities and moving into more Senior roles. I looked forward to the challenge!
Personal and Professional Strengths Exemplified:
Apply research to professional practice
Culturally responsive
Global awareness
Communication
Becoming a leader
"Career Pivoting and Podcast Debut"
While the COVID pandemic was extremely tough, I learned that I wanted more from my professional life. As a new mom, I yearned for more flexibility - I felt I earned the right to work when and how I needed as long as I met expectations and goals. I also decided that traditional higher ed was no longer working - the EdTech world was calling, and luckily for me, PeopleGrove answered. As Higher Ed's First Career Access Platform, I was able to secure a role on the Account Executive team and work to develop partnerships with higher ed institutions in the Eastern half of the country. Expanding my knowledge from admissions and enrollment to student success, alumni engagement and career services & development was a breath of fresh air, and I am embracing this new path.
Posting content on LinkedIn is part of my job, and one day I received a message from the Director of Demand Gen at a higher ed marketing company. A few conversations later, and I found myself a guest on his podcast series, discussing all things career access.
This was a true moment of pride, speaking about what I loved and was passionate about, and becoming a thought leader in the space.
Personal and Professional Strengths Exemplified:
Communication
Content Creation
Thought Leadership
Career Change
"Publishing my First Book!"
Because I'm not busy enough, I decided that 2022 was the year that I would finally start achieving my dream of becoming a published author!
At a work conference that summer, I met two individuals who truly inspired me to get going on accomplishing my goal, and I was lucky enough to get involved in a creators program that allowed me to use the power of community to drive my project forward. It can be lonely to write alone!
In Fall 2023, I became the proud publisher and author of Embracing Your Perfectionist Self, a book on embracing the good and the bad of who we naturally strive to be, and finding comfort and inspiration in being good enough. By using each letter of the alphabet as a chapter guide to explore common themes, such as ambition, control, failure, mistakes, and more, it's about learning from those just ahead of us and realizing we don't need to feel shame, judgment or negativity - we are bold, we belong, and we matter!
Check out both the paperback and e-book versions below!