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.

Josh Smith

President, Klaver Construction Company, Inc.

One of Josh Smith's first jobs was pouring and jackhammering concrete while working for his grandfather. Throughout his career, he's been grateful for the help, support and lessons from his peers. Find out what he does as president of a company and hear his advice for others interested in the...
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Steve Sloan

President, Midwest Minerals

Midwest Minerals supplies materials used in the construction and road industries. Steve Sloan started at the business back in 1995, when he began learning through hands-on experience and training from his peers. Discover what Steve enjoys most about this industry and the opportunities it presents.
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Jay Van Hove

Executive Vice President, Koss Construction Company

Jay Van Hove initially thought he'd be a high school history teacher and coach. But after taking a few construction classes in college, his view of the industry changed, and so did his career goals. Now, he's the executive vice president of Koss Construction Company.
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Chris Rech

Vice President, A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc.

For Chris Rech, the best part about the construction industry is contributing to something tangible — when a project is finished, you're able to say, "Hey! I helped make that!" As vice president of A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., Chris sees this in action daily. Learn about his career journey and...
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Chad Girard

President, APAC-Kansas, Inc. Shears Division

Chad Girard's family worked in the construction industy, so once he realized a career in professional sports wasn't in his future, he followed in his relatives' footsteps. Today, he's the president of APAC-Kansas, Inc.'s Shears Division. Discover what that job entails and why the construction...
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Brett Bernhard

Certified Surgical Technologist

I always knew a job sitting at a desk wasn’t right for me, but discovering what career I was passionate about was a bit of a journey. I’ve played the violin since I was a kid, so I earned my bachelor’s degree in violin performance, but music wasn’t meant to be my full-time job. I turned my sights...
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John Kugler

Dog Trainer and President, Bug Hounds LLC

After I realized becoming a professional baseball player just wasn’t in the cards, I considered being a teacher because I love helping others. But my career path took a few turns before I found myself educating people — and it turned out not to be in a classroom.
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Grace Desch

Clinical Nurse Manager

When I was in 1st grade, our class was asked to think about where we saw ourselves in the future. I still have that yearbook, and at seven years old I said I wanted to be a pediatrician. Throughout the years, I bounced back and forth between pursuing that dream of health care and going down the...
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Michelle Coleman

Research Scientist

When I was in high school, I took a few agriculture classes and absolutely fell in love with the industry. To explore the field more, I joined our school’s FFA (previously known as Future Farmers of America) chapter. I enjoyed every minute of my experience in the program, and it definitely...
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Katrina McClure

Registered Nurse

My mom is a nurse, so I’ve always been interested in the healthcare industry. I remember when I was in 5th grade, she came to Career Day and brought a bunch of bones into class and told us about where they were in the body and what they did. That day has always stuck with me, but it took me a few...
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