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.
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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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Beau Means
Plumbing Manager
Growing up in a family of plumbers, it’s no surprise that I ended up in the same field. But when I went away to college, plumbing was the last thing I planned to pursue.That changed when I heard my family talk about their work at gatherings. I realized how proud they were of helping homeowners…
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Emily Beyer
Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner
Growing up, I always wanted to be in the medical field. I initially considered working with animals like my mom, but I soon realized I wanted to help people directly and communicate with my patients to understand exactly where they hurt.In high school, I didn’t have access to the courses that would…
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CJ Moorman
Plant Manager/Concrete Batchman
I’ve always loved the construction industry, and over time, I saw all the opportunities it offers. I was drawn to the idea of driving big trucks and operating heavy equipment, and I set a goal to master those skills as I got older. After high school, I started working for Midwest Concrete…
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Brandy Sayre
Court Reporter
Growing up, I wanted to be a physician. After graduating from high school, I started working for a court reporting firm editing transcripts. I did that while I was in college, and I decided what I really wanted to do was to be a court reporter.Court reporters are trained professionals who capture…
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Taylor Case
Project Engineer
When I was a kid, I dreamed of being either a country singer or a veterinarian. Growing up on a farm, loving animals and always watching Country Music Television on Saturday mornings, I thought those career paths would be good fits. As it turned out, though, I can’t sing (well) and didn’t want to…
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Kashaya Zukowske
Assistant Director of Nursing
I started working in health care when I was 18 years old. I always spent a lot of time in nursing facilities because my mom worked in nursing homes, so it felt like a natural fit. Starting at that young age and for the next several years, I had a bunch of different roles, including a certified…
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Jana Rosich
Registered Nurse
My name is Jana Rosich, and I’m a registered nurse at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas. Growing up fascinated with all things weather, I originally thought I might become a meteorologist someday. It wasn’t until entering my college years that I realized I was more passionate…
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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…
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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. In March 2020, when school was closed, I…
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