Her Story
About Dominique
Dominique Ruscheinsky serves as IB PYP Coordinator at Truman International School in Chicago. She is German and works in a German-speaking international school environment. Her career path began in the hospitality industry, where she started as a hostess in Chicago and gained experience in multitasking, reservations, and management while studying hospitality management with a focus on finance. After earning a master's degree in education and psychology, she moved back to the United States and transitioned into education, working in schools and advancing into leadership and management roles. She takes pride in climbing the leadership ladder twice, once in hospitality and again in education, and values the opportunity to combine her background in leadership and management with her current position in an international school.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dominique
01What do you attribute your success to?
It's a combination of multiple points. My biggest advantage is that I have a certain drive. If I am onto a project, I'm 150 percent in. I dare to be a little bit perfectionist, which is not always good, but I drag myself to make it to the point. In the end, the outcome is the best you can see.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just try it out. I have never regretted a day that I have tried a completely different path. Years later, I realized all of this makes sense now and helps me now. I can see situations, problems, or even successes from a whole different angle. Don't settle if you're not happy where you are. Try to take the risk and go in a completely different direction. No matter what's your age, no matter what's your situation, always try to take the risk once you're not feeling comfortable.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge for me personally is to make the people around me happy or the staff I work with feel comfortable. Teamwork makes the dream work. It is very important to put a lot of focus on teamwork because it all goes and falls with a great team.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and having an open-door policy. If there is a problem, I encourage people to speak out on problems. Don't sweep it under the carpet, because only from problems and mistakes we can learn and drive and just become better and grow together. I also value a lot great teamwork. Embracing challenges as a learning experience and getting feedback on continuous improvement.
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