For many educators, the job is more than a profession—it’s a calling. It’s a deep-seated desire to help others find their way. But what happens when you feel called to find a new way for yourself?
This was the crossroads where Ivey Harrison, a former college counselor, found herself. Her journey from the world of school administration to a thriving career in educational technology is a powerful lesson in purpose, intuition, and as she puts it, "remembering who you were before the world got in the way."
Today, Ivey is the Senior Territory Manager at YouScience, a career guidance platform that uses "the science of you" to help students uncover their natural talents. But before she was helping schools implement the technology, she was one of its biggest fans.
As a college counselor, Ivey saw firsthand how traditional career inventories often fell short. They focused on a student’s stated interests, which could be fleeting or influenced by outside pressure. When she discovered YouScience, which uses gamified assessments to measure a student’s innate aptitudes, everything changed.
"Parents are crying in their office because this is the first time anybody's ever told them what their kid was good at," Ivey shared on the Always a Teacher podcast. "It really does bring a lot of hope."
That mission—to bring hope and uncover potential—resonated so deeply with Ivey that it stayed with her, even after she decided it was time to leave her job. Unsure of her next move, she took what she calls her "gap year," doing independent consulting for former students and even exploring a completely different field in natural health. Yet, she felt adrift between two potential paths, not fully committed to either.
The moment of clarity came, as it often does, when she least expected it.
"I was driving down to Atlanta...daydreaming with my coffee," she recalls. "And I thought, 'All I want is to talk about YouScience.' I just felt so deeply that everybody needs it in their life."
That single, clear thought was the spark. Ivey decided to act on her intuition. She reached out to her contact at the company, shared her passion for the mission, and boldly asked if there might be a place for her on the team. The answer was a resounding yes.
Her story is a testament to the power of finding alignment between your personal mission and your professional life. For teachers considering a move into a new field like EdTech, Ivey’s journey offers a few words of wisdom:
-
Lead with Your "Why." Ivey’s success didn't come from being a salesperson; it came from being a passionate advocate for a mission she truly believed in. When you can connect your work to a deeper purpose, you’re not selling—you’re helping.
-
Trust Your Gut. The path isn’t always linear. Allow yourself time to explore, reflect, and listen to that inner voice. Ivey’s "gap year" wasn't a detour; it was a necessary part of the journey to find her true calling.
-
Water the Grass Where You Are. While she encourages exploration, Ivey offers a grounded perspective. "The grass is not always greener," she advises. "The grass is green where you fertilize it." Before making a leap, take time to appreciate the impact you're having right now and reflect on what truly brings you fulfillment.
Ivey’s story isn’t about leaving education behind. It’s about finding a new way to fulfill the mission that called her to it in the first place: empowering others to discover their unique strengths and build a future full of possibility.
Listen to our full conversation on the Always A Teacher podcast to hear more.
Ready for your own transition? Learn how I help educators break into the EdTech industry.