Loretta Dickerson-Smith
U.S. Mint
San Francisco, CA USA
"Do not allow anyone to dictate what you are capable to accomplish."
Career Roadmap
Loretta's work combines: Technology, Engineering, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
St. Rose Academy
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Quality Assurance Manager:
Bachelor's Degree: Chemical Engineering
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Because I was on a quarter system at Stanford University, I needed to plan for my entire year. For example: calculus, which was four quarters was a year and a quarter.
2.
I attended the library every day. I also found resources with attending TA sessions to be successful for tests. I started with a C GPA that excelled to A GPA—this was in calculus.
3.
Being an African American student at Stanford was not easy. I found a Gospel Choir at school with other African American students that participated and this created a warm atmosphere.
4.
I was at Stanford on a four-year scholarship, which covered room and board, food, and clothing. I also got a job part-time to do extra fun stuff, which required discipline.
5.
I had to keep my grade point average up or I was not able enroll for next quarter classes.
6.
I graduated in four years, however a counselor told me I was not going to be able to do it, but I was successful because I persevered.
7.
24 years later, I returned to school to obtain my master's as a full-time mother of five, wife of 18 years, working a full-time job and going to school at night in person.
8.
I successfully received my Masters with honors in the year 2013.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
I heard from my advisor that I would not be able to complete my course of study in four years. I was on the quarter system and many of the classes were not offered every quarter which necessitated taken a higher number of units in certain quarters.
How I responded:
Do not allow anyone to dictate what you are capable to accomplish. Persevere in all that you do and ask for the support and necessary resources to grasp material that may not come easy to understand. I met with one of my professors three times a week during office hours to overcome my struggles with calculus.