Briggette A. Blalock
I've been working as a paraprofessional in schools for about 2 years, and I also serve as a counselor. One of the biggest challenges I've faced was working with students who were drinking alcohol and doing drugs. I responded by making friends with them and talking to them about how the effects of what they were doing was causing them to have difficulty in their classes. They listened to me, and some of them turned themselves around and started having better values. My most notable professional achievement so far has been achieving my milestone of progressing toward my bachelor's degree. I'm currently working on supplementing my education with life coaching. I've always loved helping people, and my principal inspired me to get into this field. He told me to keep going with my education and enroll in a community college, and I did that, and it saved my life. I ended up finishing my degree and received an AA, an Associate of Arts degree. He inspired me to become a life coach because he was my best coach.
• Associate of Arts degree
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• First Missionary Baptist Church
• Art club
• Coaching youth
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my spiritual higher power. The Bible says we are to love people and treat them like Jesus. This foundation guides how I approach my work and how I connect with the students I serve.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When I was in school, I started off in public school and worked my way up. My principal told me to keep going with my education and enroll into a community college. I did that, and it saved my life. I ended up finishing my degree and received an Associate of Arts degree. He inspired me to become a life coach because he was my best coach. That advice to continue my education changed everything for me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up when you face struggles and roadblocks, just keep moving forward until you achieve what you desire.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I am learning how to ask for help and not see it as a bad thing. I face several challenges, including delegating tasks and providing feedback to others. I struggle to say no when people ask me to take on additional work, which often leaves me doing everything myself and then needing to ask for help. I am currently learning to ask for help without seeing it as a negative.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are faith, intention, commitment, humility, and willingness.
