How my early work experience shaped my career

My first paid "mini-job" ever was as a teacher for German A-levels at a language school in Brazil, when I was just 16 years old and still in high school. The experience was amazing. I could buy my own things. It was a feeling of independence. It also taught me the value of money, the importance of managing a cash flow, and the concept of trade-offs. It also deepened even more my appreciation for my parents' efforts to provide us with a good life.

From the very beginning, I loved teaching. It felt easy, natural, and enriching. Using my mother tongue, German, in Brazil was a unique opportunity, and I quickly found joy in it. Teaching didn’t feel like a burden; instead, I was thrilled by the "Aha!" moments on my students' faces when they grasped new concepts and learned something new.

Today I see teaching is a consistent thread throughout my life. During my undergraduate studies, I tutored students in Econometrics for two semesters and continued teaching German as a side job for 10 semesters. In my master's, I worked as a teaching assistant and further improved my skills by taking a teaching course at WSU in Detroit.

Sharing knowledge has always been a passion for me. I enjoy using practical examples to bring theory to life and helping others grow through learning. This experience led me to become my own boss, offering workshops and courses.

With this all in mind, in 2023 I developed a financial course specifically for migrants living in Germany, guiding them through their financial options and helping them plan their investments for retirement. I organise around two or three workshops a year in different topics, focussing mainly on personal and professional growth. I enjoy that a lot.

I love what I do and am committed to teaching, instructing, and fostering growth for as long as I can. It took me a while to find my place as this person, an instructor, a guide, a mentor, but I think it was meant to be from the beginning.