Jennifer Hankins

I attribute my success to the experiences, transitions, and challenges that have shaped my career and personal journey. My professional path has taken me from studying psychology and working in behavioral health to building a 15-year career with the Alaska Attorney General’s Office, transitioning into the judicial branch, and eventually moving into the corporate sector. Each chapter taught me something different and helped me develop the resilience, adaptability, and determination that continue to shape my work today.

One of my proudest accomplishments was returning to college at age 50 after establishing myself professionally. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, Training, and Development at the University of Louisville with a 4.0 GPA, and I am now continuing my education through a Master of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development program. My three adult daughters have also been an important part of my journey and a source of motivation. My experiences have taught me that circumstances do not have to define the limits of what is possible.

The most meaningful career lesson I have learned is that it is possible to change the direction of your life and get yourself onto a different road toward success. My own journey has reinforced that lesson. Returning to college later in life showed me that there is not an expiration date on pursuing an education, developing new skills, or creating new possibilities.

I hope my story, including my contribution as a co-author of *Beyond the Degree: Stories of Adult Learner Comebacks and What They Teach Us*, demonstrates that a difficult chapter does not have to determine the rest of your story. I want others, particularly women who may be facing difficult circumstances, to know that they can pursue a rewarding career and build a successful life. I continue to value learning, writing, reading, hiking, travel, podcasts, and personal growth, and I remain open to future opportunities, including potentially pursuing doctoral studies and writing another book.

My advice to young women is simple: you can change the dynamics of where you are in order to get where you need to be. Your current circumstances, position, or environment do not necessarily determine where your career will ultimately take you.

Be willing to learn, adapt, develop new skills, and take purposeful steps toward the future you want. My own career demonstrates that professional growth can happen through transitions and that it is possible to build a new direction even after many years in another field.

One of the biggest challenges I am navigating right now is balancing full-time professional responsibilities with being a full-time graduate student. Managing my corporate paralegal responsibilities while completing my Master of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development requires careful time management, discipline, and prioritization.

At the same time, this combination creates a significant opportunity for me. I can apply what I am learning about organizational development, leadership, human capabilities, and organizational effectiveness directly to my professional experience in legal, compliance, and corporate environments. That intersection allows me to continue expanding the ways in which I can contribute to organizations and solve complex problems.

I value meaningful work, continuous learning, accountability, perseverance, and helping people and organizations move forward. In my current role as a corporate paralegal, I am passionate about supporting General Counsel and corporate leadership through entity management, compliance, professional licensing, acquisitions, business registrations, and process-improvement initiatives.

I also value resilience and the ability to create positive change. My personal and professional experiences have reinforced for me that people can rebuild, learn, and pursue new possibilities even after difficult circumstances. I try to bring that perspective into my work by looking for practical solutions, improving processes, and contributing to organizational effectiveness while continuing to grow as a professional and lifelong learner.