Tess Robinson is the founder and managing partner of TEAM Education Consulting Company, as well as a wife and mother of three boys (ages 16,18 and 20). While she has worked in roles such as the marketing director or general manager in big name firms over the years, her time in Shanghai has been transformative not just for her family, but for her career as well. Here she tells us about her experience.
What was your move to Shanghai like?
Twelve years ago, my husband asked me to come on a yearlong adventure with him to China. We packed up our belongings and moved with our children. For a variety of reasons, that one year has turned into 12. I have fallen in love with China and its possibilities and opportunities. I appreciate the fact that I can still learn something new every day… It’s not always something that I like, but it is new and that has made me more elastic, energized and open to change than I ever could have been back ‘home.’
Tell me about your company.
We are a team of 10 people who educate, support and guide students and their families expertly through the education process for the purpose of helping them make informed decisions for themselves. This involves academic support, study skills development, parent education, school selection and admissions for boarding school and university. We all love what we do and work really hard to support kids in feeling good about whoever they are and learning to be their best people they can be.
What has been the biggest difference between working in Shanghai and working in your home country?
It is harder to work here, because people in Shanghai work all day, every day, so my clients are often more stressed as a result. Combine that with the fact that so much has changed since our students’ parents were in college and the general competitiveness of college admissions, it makes for a potentially stressful time.
How has your family supported you in your career?
Well, I suppose my elder boys supported me by listening to me and getting themselves accepted into great colleges! My family has also opened our home to students and their parents. This creates a warm and wonderful place to welcome clients, and gives me the opportunity to easily participate in our home life. As a result, I can provide both better service and be a more present wife and mother simultaneously.
What advice would you give to other working moms?
Don’t be apologetic about having to help your husband or do things for or with your children. This is what having a family is all about. Our families should be our utmost priority, right after ourselves (I adhere to the get oxygen flowing in your own mask first adage). Work is, of course, important too. It allows so many of us another outlet to use our intellect, creativity, teamwork and earn a salary. Finding balance is important, but often corporate structures are not reflective of individual values and fitting in comes at a cost – it is great if that cost fits who you are, but if not, I encourage women to change their lives to make it work better for them.
If you could tell your 25-year-old self anything, what would it be?
While all does not go to ‘plan,’ life plans are usually much too ridged. Going off plan leads to more growth, richer experience, expanded definitions of success and a lot more fun!
