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.

Francisco Gonzalez

Heavy Equipment Technician

As a heavy equipment technician at Foley Equipment, Francisco Gonzalez appreciates that every day is different. Francisco knows firsthand that you don't need a college degree to be successful, and he has some pointers for anyone hoping to get started in this industry.
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Jorge Melendez

Truck Technician

La pasión de Jorge Meléndez por la reparación de camiones comenzó cuando empezó a trabajar en el auto de su padre a los 13 años. Hoy es técnico de camiones en Foley Equipment, donde trabaja con sus manos, continúa aprendiendo cada día. Descubra cómo obtuvo la formación que necesitaba y sus consejos...
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Sheyvette Dinkens

Business Educator

I wasn’t initially interested in being a teacher and didn’t intend to enter the field of education. For many years, I worked on founding and running a nonprofit organization in Topeka, Kansas: Women Empowerment. The organization was built to inspire, lift and bring local women together.
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Genia Deets

Elementary School Gifted Teacher

When I was little, I loved playing school — and being the teacher, of course! I would arrange my stuffed animals and plan exciting lessons on everything from being nice to counting. I’m thrilled to be living this dream in an actual classroom today. But I will say, my stuffed animals had much less...
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Tyler Conquest

Environmental Health & Safety Program Administrator

Tyler Conquest began ballet when she was five years old. Her dream of pursuing a professional dance career was ended by a knee injury in high school, so she needed to find a new plan for the future. Tyler began in the human resources world and is now an environmental health and safety program...
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Corey Sharon

Master Equipment Technician

Corey Sharon grew up helping his uncle on the farm. He noticed how time-consuming and expensive it was to fix broken parts, so he was inspired to learn how to solve heavy equipment issues himself. Today, he uses those skills in his career at Foley Equipment.
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Bob Schnurr

Parts Sales Representative

Bob Schnurr has always been intrigued by machinery. He began his career working on heavy equipment, then transitioned to a product support role. Bob enjoys his position at Foley Equipment because he gets to help people solve problems.
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Bob Hooglugt

Undercarriage Technician

When Bob Hooglugt was a kid, he loved taking things apart and putting them back together. When he got older, he thought mechanics would be the perfect fit for his interests. As an undercarriage technician at Foley Equipment, he gets to repair, build and work on heavy equipment.
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Jen Kesler

Second Grade Teacher

I always admired my teachers growing up and wanted to be just like them. I knew I wanted to work with kids. Although I struggled in school and had to work very hard, I’m a “helper” by nature, so I knew I wanted to support kids who struggled like I did.
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Michelle Duey

Cytotechnologist

I’ve always been fascinated by medicine. And after losing my grandfather to cancer, I really wanted to learn more about that disease. At the time, I didn’t realize there were other jobs in the healthcare industry besides doctors and nurses, so I set my sights on medical school.
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