BSNC’s Career Pathways Series helps showcase jobs held by successful shareholders and descendants. This series aims to raise awareness of these career options and the essential skills needed to succeed in these positions.
After recently retiring from 22 years in the military, BSNC shareholder Glenn Ivanoff was hired as Branch Chief of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Anchorage, Alaska in 2020. Ivanoff attained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration and Management from Ashford University, a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and is working towards a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Liberty University.
“ Do your best in school. Schooling lays the foundation of knowledge that you build on. ”
Ivanoff was raised in Unalakleet and spent a few years in St. Mary’s growing up. Ivanoff has been married to his wife Mitchelle for 20 years and together, they have three daughters. His parents are Larry and Maggie Ivanoff and his grandparents are Ralph and Laura Ivanoff and Gus and Justina Mike.
What resources did you utilize to attain your education?
Glenn Ivanoff:
“There were a variety of resources that were available for attaining my education. The military paid for a portion of the education and sent me to get a Lean Six Sigma certification. Lean Six Sigma is a method that relies on a collaborative team effort to improve performance by systematically removing waste and reducing variation. My career in the military spanned 20+ years and I gained a lot of experience including supply chain management, leadership skills, hazardous materials training, OSHA standards, how to conduct training and contracting experience. I even learned how to master Microsoft Suite in the military. I also utilized the CACHE program, which includes the Bering Straits Foundation, for scholarships and received a scholarship from Calista. I also took out student loans.”
What were some of your largest barriers or challenges in your career?
Glenn Ivanoff:
“I found it to be a huge challenge to move from a small community to a large community. I needed to find community within the larger community. Transportation was also a big challenge.”
What advice would you give to the younger generation of students?
Glenn Ivanoff:
“Do your best in school. Schooling lays the foundation of knowledge that you build on. It also creates a baseline of writing which is extremely useful in your career. Find what you like and find a career that mirrors that. If you are interested in electricity, look into an electrician certification. Find people in the region to help.
People are very willing to talk to you about their careers and experiences. Ask people how they became successful in their career. There are job shadowing opportunities that will help you explore different careers. You can learn what people do daily in their job. This can help you figure out whether a certain career field is a good path for you. Remember that different people will have different perspectives so ask around.”