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.
-
Skyler Fiske
Middle School Teacher
Growing up, I wanted to be a pop star or a teacher. Since my pop stardom never took off, I decided teaching would be a better path. In fact, my mom was a teacher, and I always loved helping her set up her classroom. Watching her grade papers and prep for school was fascinating. Between her...
Read More -
Aaron Collins
Owner, Aaron’s Lawn Care
I was chatting with my barber when I first learned about the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC). I had been describing my lawn care business when he told me I should consider competing in YEC, a competition for students interested in entrepreneurship.
Read More -
Lindsey Beltz
Owner, LB.Leather
I started working with leather in second grade through my involvement with 4-H. At first, I didn’t share my products with anyone, but when I was in middle school, I started to sell earrings and custom belts. Eventually, this turned into a full-blown business: LB.Leather.
Read More -
Garrett Girk
State Animal Disease Traceability Coordinator
I was raised on a family farm in Protection, Kansas, and learned how to work with livestock from a very young age. With that experience, my passion for animal agriculture grew, and I always thought I would be a veterinarian.
Read More -
Hunter Nickell
Livestock Production Extension Agent
As a child, I always dreamed of being a veterinarian when I grew up. I had the opportunity to shadow our family veterinarian at a young age, and that experience shaped my interest in the animal industry. I even worked at a veterinary clinic at one point.
Read More -
Scott Harrison
Clinical Research Site Supervisor
When I was in college majoring in biology, my summer job was working with kids at a YMCA camp. It was there I realized how much I enjoyed working with kids and their families. I started to wonder how I could pursue a career where I’d get those same interactions, but I didn’t love the thought of...
Read More -
Anne Smoke
Land Surveyor
When I was younger, I thought I’d grow up to be a veterinarian because I love being around animals. Unfortunately, I don’t deal well with blood, so that didn’t work out! Luckily, I found my way into a career I love.
Read More -
Liz Reyna, CNA
Home Health Aide
My mom got sick when I was very young. During that time, we played “doctor” and pretended she was my patient. So, I’ve been interested in the medical field since the beginning. I lost my mom when I was eight years old, and after her passing, my dream of getting into health care intensified, but I...
Read More -
Tamara Britton
Home Health Documentation Reviewer
As a child, I was never sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. I came from a very poor, poverty-stricken family in a large city. I knew what I didn’t want to become.
Read More -
Melissa Kuermaier
Registered CT and X-Ray Technologist
As a single mom, I wanted to find a career that would allow me to provide for my daughter and give her everything she needed. I chose to pursue a radiology technologist program, which was especially good for me because I was able to attend night classes (with tons of help from family and friends)...
Read More
- 1 of 18
- next ›