Danielle Avery Grant lives by the words, “Now is the time.” On a recent visit to Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology, part of the Essex County Schools of Technology, she spoke to Business Academy students about careers, academic expectations, and the importance of creating a professional LinkedIn profile for job searches. She also spread her positivity.
“When I speak to current students, I always say that not everyone’s journey will be the same, and that they need to be ready for certain hurdles,” she said. “But I also say, ‘Always lead with a positive mindset. Believe you can handle it. Find your passion and monetize it.’”
A 2016 graduate of Bloomfield Tech Campus of Essex County Schools of Technology and a resident of Irvington, Grant focused her high school education on business with a concentration in accounting and marketing. Bloomfield is now part of the Payne School of Technology.
After graduation, she held several jobs including at Primo Mercato (Short Hills), where she recruited, trained, and managed more than 100 employees. She also worked at the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel, where her guest satisfaction rate was consistently 90% or higher.
In August of 2022, Grant began working for Splice Project Management (Seattle), a division of OpenSquare (OneWorkplace Brand), as a project coordinator.
“I look forward to expanding my project management skills in an entrepreneurial setting in the future,” she added. “Additionally, my recent speaking experiences have made me think that is another area where I can grow.”
Grant credits her high school education with enhancing her characteristic confidence to tackle new challenges in the workforce.
“The education I received at Essex Tech prepared me for my current career success by supplying me with key insights that are not taught in ‘traditional’ public schools,” she explained. “We were taught financial and marketing concepts, along with crucial computer skills that are very relevant in my day-to-day work. The experience also enhanced my soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, providing me with an added layer of confidence within the workforce that made me stand out in interviews and professional presentations.”
Grant continued, “I truly do not know where I would be if not for the foundation that was established during my time in the CTE program.”
