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.

  • Michael Freeland

    Graphic Designer

    I’ve been interested in design and marketing for as long as I can remember. According to my mom, it began as soon as I could hold a pencil. There's a photo of me in a high-chair, drawing “perfect circles,” as she liked to recall. Throughout my childhood I was so inspired by Walt Disney’s…

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  • Dale Richardson

    Certified Electronics Technician

    When Dale Richardson was 12 years old, he got an electronics project for Christmas — he's been passionate about electronics ever since. Today, he gets to do what he loves at Garmin. 

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  • 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. Then, during my senior year of high school, I…

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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. When I was offered my first position in workforce development…

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