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.

Martine Chery-Hilaire

Owner and Executive Chef, Chez Matou Catering

I’ve been cooking since I was 14 years old, but I never thought of it as a career path. When I moved to the United States in 2003, I started using my cooking skills to make and sell paté kòde, or Haitian meat pies. Quite frankly, it was the easiest way I could make money while I waited to improve...
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Dylan Tweedy

Owner, Kensington Lockers

Sometimes the career finds you. At least that’s how I came to be the owner of a meat locker. It was a huge leap of faith, but when the opportunity presented itself, I knew I had to give it a shot.
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Lane Religa

Video Production Assistant and Drone Pilot

I have always been interested in architecture and was fascinated with stadiums as a kid, traveling to see them all over the world. When I got my first drone I began to photograph them, then quickly discovered that I enjoyed shooting video footage most of all. My family went to a lot of games at...
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Will Henry

Manager and Goldsmith

I was never one of those kids who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. I remember wanting to be a police officer when I was very little, then a musician, then a psychologist, then a teacher, then a musician again … I’ve always had too many interests to stick with just one plan.
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Andrea DeJesus

Owner, A&H Farm

"Growing up on the farm, it was hard not to resent the missed sleepovers, sports teams and free time that other kids my age were able to enjoy. Farming was hard work, and I couldn’t see myself turning it into a career.
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Jessica Good

Customer Account Manager

Jessica Good grew up seeing family members work in the aviation industry, but she had no idea how many opportunities the field presented. Today, she's working in a job she never knew existed until she started at Textron Aviation.
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Josh Huston

Manager, Tool Engineering

Josh Huston earned his GED, attended a technical school to continue his education, then went on to earn a mechanical engineering degree. Today, he's been working at Textron Aviation for more than 14 years.
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Chance Jacobson

Wind Turbine Technician 2

I became interested in wind energy during my junior year of high school when several things happened at once. First, I realized there wasn’t room to join my dad and grandpa in our family farming operation like I’d hoped. We were considering my options when we heard about wind energy from a...
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Crystal Grimmett

Aircraft Structure Mechanic

On the noisy production floor, Crystal Grimmett paved her way to success. As a sheet metal mechanic for the legendary Citation Latitude, Grimmett shares some of the challenges she has overcome as a female in aviation.
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Channing Dionisopoulos

IT Manager

Channing Dionisopoulos’ career took flight in information technology at Textron Aviation and shortly after, she also became a pilot. Now, as a leader, Dionisopoulos encourages other women in aviation to fearlessly charge forward in their careers.
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