Miles Sandler

1.

In high school, I knew I wanted to work with kids and thought I would end up working in child psychology.

2.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and then got a job working for the Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh—I started as a theater teacher and then worked my way up to program director.

3.

In order to have more impact at a systems level, I wanted to go back to school for my master’s degree but didn’t see how I could afford it.

4.

I applied and was accepted to the National Urban Fellow program, which combined a master’s program in public administration with a fellowship and covered the cost of the degree.

5.

Through the program, I worked for the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative and then was able to transition to National League of Cities after finishing my degree.

6.

I spent three years with National League of Cities working with urban centers across the U.S. on education initiatives, including after school programming, higher education, and workforce development.

7.

I then got the opportunity to join the Kauffman Foundation to lead their education and public affairs work.

8.

After four and a half years as the director of engagement for education, I moved into my current role as director of policy and engagement.