Her Story
About Ana Paula
Ana Paula Rodrigues serves as a pre school teacher at Prodigy. in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Ana Paula has years of experience in customer service dating back to her early teens selling beauty supplies and jewelry. She also loves working with children and their parents as it relates to her ability to engage with people. Ana holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish with a minor in English and is fluent in Portuguese, her first language, as well as English and Spanish. She emphasizes that experience outweighs certifications alone and attributes her professional achievements, including completing her degree during challenging times while raising children and working full time, to her own determination, hard work, and desire to maintain personal pride and set an example for her family. Ana values work ethic, integrity, and empathy, advocating for a human-centered approach in all interactions rather than becoming overly robotic.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ana Paula
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say that is mostly myself. You can attribute to wanting to see, give the example to your children. But at the end of the day, you must do it for your own good. The ability to want to look back and still be proud of myself, accomplish this, accomplish that. I feel fulfilling. Hard work.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take the risks necessary with responsibility to achieve your goals.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Try to do things to make yourself proud, because by the end of the day, you're the only person who's gonna be living with yourself for the rest of your life. Make yourself happy and feel that fulfillment and accomplishment. Don't be afraid to take risks and go for the unknown.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
People tend to look just on the books and focus too much on certifications without experience. Certifications without experience is not gonna take anywhere. Experience matters more than just schooling or certificates.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Work ethic and integrity. Doing the right thing when nobody is watching. Empathy, because regardless of work field you should have empathy for customers and coworkers. We should move more in every area with humanity rather than becoming robotic.
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