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.
John Scheck CIC, AIC, AINS, AIS, CISR
Claims Advocate
I’m not sure that as a child I ever decided what I wanted to be when I grew up. But now, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. The path to my career wasn’t what you would call “traditional.” I earned average grades in high school and felt that a four-year college just wasn’t the right choice for me...
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Ryan Benton
Transmission Planning Engineer
As a kid growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, I wanted to be a musician. Then I took economics in high school, and I realized there is a high supply of musicians and a low demand for paying jobs in music. So, I looked for other career options. My dad was an electrical engineer. I took a career...
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Jon P. Dooley-Weiland
Natural Gas Service Technician
As a child, I always saw myself becoming a first responder one day. Law enforcement, fire department, maybe emergency medical services … I’ve always loved helping people, and a career in one of those fields just seemed to be where my path was heading.
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Bob Jordan
Excavator Product Specialist
I’ve always been interested in tractors, trucks, cars — really any machines that were around on the small farm I grew up on. My dad and grandfather seemed to be able to fix anything that broke down, and watching them get things back up and running got me interested in doing the same.
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Brianne Ray
Physical Therapist Assistant
Healthcare workers have always been heroes to me. When I was little, I often talked about becoming a doctor. I wanted so badly to help people feel better. Over the years I considered several different career paths, but it wasn’t until college that I was introduced to my passion: physical therapy.
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Tyleek Turner
Asphalt Plant Manager
The construction industry was always a perfect match for me. Even as a kid, I enjoyed building things and completing hands-on projects. I take a lot of pride in my work, so I decided to combine that passion with my talents and make a career of them.
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Dalton McCune-Seiler
IT Support Technician
I’ve always been interested in technology. When I was younger, I had my first experience with computers when my mom bought an HP desktop. I remember playing around on it and accidentally making a change to the computer that I didn’t know how to undo. I rushed to bring it back to normal before she...
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Chastity Troxel
Apprenticeship Program Manager
When I graduated from high school, I went straight into the workforce. I was thinking of becoming a baker, having spent lots of time baking with my grandparents as a child. I loved that food brought everyone together and made them happy.
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Seth Brooks
Automotive Collision Repair Specialist
At his previous jobs, Seth Brooks went through the motions and couldn't wait until the weekend. But thanks to the Auto Collision Repair program at Salina Area Technical College, he now looks forward to Mondays.
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