Real Success Stories

Meet real role models working in various industries who have found success through alternative pathways after high school — and what they like about what they do! Looking to dive deeper? Complete this scavenger hunt to help you explore the many paths to success.

Breanne Geary

Manager, Sports and Events

I’ve always had a passion for sports. When I got to high school, I realized I wasn’t going to play professionally but decided I still wanted to work in the industry. For the rest of high school and through my first year of college, I pursued sports nutrition. But my sophomore year of college, my...
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Chad Miller

Supplier Quality Engineer

I knew from a young age I wanted to do something in the sciences. Engineering and architecture were especially appealing to me. I used to play with Lego bricks, K’NEX and Construx while watching things like Star Wars, Gundam Wing and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest. A lot of the shows I watched...
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Eric Martin

Recovery Services Manager

The college where I pursued my undergraduate degree in psychology had a strong emphasis on social justice. During my four years of study, I volunteered weekly to help feed the homeless population in the area. That was my first hands-on experience working with people, which ignited my passion for...
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Gabe Kufahl

Heavy Equipment Operator

Growing up, I spent a lot of time helping my dad on our farm. I always thought I’d follow in his footsteps because it felt like the logical thing to do. But that changed in high school when I started noticing construction projects around town and watching heavy equipment videos on social media....
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James Miller

Operator/Laborer

As a kid, I thought I’d join the Army. Many of my family members served, and I felt like it was what I needed to do. But as I got older, I took a different path. I was always interested in working with heavy equipment, so after some time in a different industry, I switched to the job I’m in now.
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Dustin Shellito

Manager, Pioneer Nutrition

After 13 years in law enforcement, I was ready to change my profession to a role without on-call duties in the middle of the night.
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Payton Siemens

Speech Therapist

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian because I loved helping animals. Over time, that passion evolved into a career focused on helping people. Today, I’m a speech therapist, literacy intervention specialist and reading specialist at No Stone Unturned in Manhattan, Kansas. I enjoy...
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Austin Vincent

Staff Attorney

I’ve always been passionate about agriculture. I grew up on my family’s fifth-generation ranch, where I learned the value of a handshake and satisfaction of a job well done. But it wasn’t until my senior year of college that I realized I wanted to dedicate my career to the industry. A policy...
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Kylene Caquelin

Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

I always knew I wanted to work with kids. Today, I’m doing just that as a board-certified behavior analyst at No Stone Unturned in Manhattan. I work with kids who are diagnosed with autism to lessen their maladaptive behaviors. Maladaptive behaviors are actions that stop someone from facing new or...
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Sarah Weber

Pruning Supervisor

Growing up, I could never decide what I wanted to do for a career. I had so many different interests and bounced around so many things — I couldn’t have guessed I’d be where I am today.
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