Melissa Moritz
The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)
Career Roadmap
Melissa's work combines: Education, Science, and Problem Solving
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Zoology/Animal Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a General and Operations Managers:
Bachelor's Degree: Zoology/Animal Biology
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Early passion for math and science nurtured by family and teachers.
2.
Through reading and personal experience, realized how different educational opportunities are based on where you grew up.
3.
Was accepted to MIT and studied biology with the intent to become a pediatrician.
4.
In senior year of college, realized I was more passionate about supporting the next generation of scientists than medicine.
5.
Taught middle school science in New York City as a service year member with Teach For America.
6.
After the classroom, I joined Teach For America's national staff to increase the number of STEM teachers in high-need schools.
7.
Appointed by President Obama to serve as the Deputy Director of STEM Initiatives for the U.S. Department of Education.
8.
After the administration, I joined the National Math and Science Initiative to continue working to ensure that every child has access to an excellent STEM education.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Teaching will be a waste of your science degree.
How I responded:
People who are going to change the world are going to be people who both have the technical expertise to design solutions and the skills to get everyone else excited about those solutions. Your science degree has given you the technical expertise and teaching will give you the skills to lead. If you want to change the world, teach!