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.

  • Lindsey Beltz

    Owner, LB.Leather

    I started working with leather in second grade through my involvement with 4-H. At first, I didn’t share my products with anyone, but when I was in middle school, I started to sell earrings and custom belts. Eventually, this turned into a full-blown business: LB.Leather.

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  • Garrett Girk

    State Animal Disease Traceability Coordinator

    I was raised on a family farm in Protection, Kansas, and learned how to work with livestock from a very young age. With that experience, my passion for animal agriculture grew, and I always thought I would be a veterinarian. In high school, I took any agricultural classes that I could. My favorite…

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  • Hunter Nickell

    Livestock Production Extension Agent

    As a child, I always dreamed of being a veterinarian when I grew up. I had the opportunity to shadow our family veterinarian at a young age, and that experience shaped my interest in the animal industry. I even worked at a veterinary clinic at one point.

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  • Scott Harrison

    Clinical Research Site Supervisor

    When I was in college majoring in biology, my summer job was working with kids at a YMCA camp. It was there I realized how much I enjoyed working with kids and their families. I started to wonder how I could pursue a career where I’d get those same interactions, but I didn’t love the thought of…

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  • Anne Smoke

    Land Surveyor

    When I was younger, I thought I’d grow up to be a veterinarian because I love being around animals. Unfortunately, I don’t deal well with blood, so that didn’t work out! Luckily, I found my way into a career I love.

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  • Liz Reyna, CNA

    Home Health Aide

    My mom got sick when I was very young. During that time, we played “doctor” and pretended she was my patient. So, I’ve been interested in the medical field since the beginning. I lost my mom when I was eight years old, and after her passing, my dream of getting into health care intensified, but I…

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  • Tamara Britton

    Home Health Documentation Reviewer

    As a child, I was never sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. I came from a very poor, poverty-stricken family in a large city. I knew what I didn’t want to become.

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  • Melissa Kuermaier

    Registered CT and X-Ray Technologist

    As a single mom, I wanted to find a career that would allow me to provide for my daughter and give her everything she needed. I chose to pursue a radiology technologist program, which was especially good for me because I was able to attend night classes (with tons of help from family and friends)…

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  • Anthony Gorges

    Sports and News Broadcaster

    As a child, my dream job was always something related to sports. I was a major sports fan, and my aspirations rotated between broadcasting and roles involving game statistics. The excitement of being part of that world fueled my childhood dreams.

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  • Areli Lopez-Hernandez

    Early Education Teacher

    Growing up, I was always interested in working with children. Whenever there were kids around, I would take it upon myself to care for them. Then, when I was in high school in Topeka, Kansas, someone came to talk to our class about earning college credits through the Washburn Institute of…

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