Take 5: Manager Memos

In our monthly Take 5 column, International Educator poses a thought-provoking prompt to five members of the NAFSA community. These international educators, who represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, respond with their insights, recommendations, and personal reflections on the myriad themes and questions that are facing the field.

Think back on the best (or worst!) boss you've had in your career. What's the most important thing you learned from them?

Liz Cosgrove Ford, University of North Texas: When I was a new professional, I had a terrible boss who had a surprisingly positive impact on my career. I worked in the construction industry, and my boss at the time was very no-nonsense and a bit on the gruff side. When I said I wanted to travel internationally again, his response was, "Why would you ever want to leave the United States? We have everything here."

I guess I took that as a challenge because within six weeks of that conversation, I was in Taiwan teaching English. That was the start of my international education career, and I couldn't be happier about it! I thank that boss for pushing me to go after what I wanted. The decisions I made as a result of that conversation motivated me to explore the world and led me to where I am today in my international education career.

Jim Crawley, Hope College: My first boss in international education was Christopher Viers who, incidentally, later served as the president of NAFSA. I was