Paths in Progress

If you know Sage, you love her big heart and big personality, and you know she is at home on the stage.  Sage completed her degree in theater, and then began to audition in her hometown after graduation.  A chance teacher substitution gig landed her in a special education classroom, and the rest is history–she knew her calling. Not only did she stay in Special Education, but she completed her Mast...

Amanda’s original plan was to attend community college, live at home, and work for her first two years of college, but an unexpected surprise made her completely change plans!  Amanda found herself in a business school that allowed her to take many business classes early and seek internships regularly throughout her degree. Join us for this fun conversation about how Amanda took advantage of her i...

Victoria had a drive to prepare for college and career at a very young age. She is a role model for students looking for someone who came from a disadvantaged background to excel at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. If you need some ideas about how to take advantage of your time as a teen and a college student, listen to Victoria’s journey! Her work in public speaking, mentorship...

How can you return to practicing medicine, after struggling through addiction in your residency? Join us for the inspiring story of Dr. Michael Sprintz, who not only successfully practices medicine now as a triple board certified physician, but positively influences policy and educates doctors in a way that is needed and has not been done before.  We also discuss other career opportunities in the...

Melanie started her college career as a French Horn player in the Music department, but soon realized that she needed to change paths.  Eventually landing in a Journalism major, Melanie became involved with the LGBTQ student organization and was one of the first students to graduate with a minor in LGBTQ studies at her university.  After a pivotal internship and becoming interested in policy that...

As a teen, Mike was a member of the US Junior National Cycling team and assumed he would one day become a doctor (you’ll have to listen to hear why).  In college, Mike was a college athlete, double majored, double minored, and applied to multiple graduate programs.  After his first year in medical school, Mike realized that he loved the medical field, but was meant to play a different role in it t...

Irene began her college career as a Music major who was interested in a variety of subjects across a Liberal Arts curriculum.  After attending a lecture about The Innocence Project and taking some law courses, she decided that pursuing a legal career was what she wanted to do, graduating early with a degree in Political Science.  After a family experience left her viewing divorce proceedings in a...

Alecia is the Founder, Artistic Director, and Oboist for ROCO, a professional chamber orchestra. She tells us how her original plans to study physics at a different university changed (weeks before starting college!), what she learned during her time living abroad, and how watching multiple orchestras fail helped her to build ROCO into what it is today. Alecia also shares her experience as a paren...

Edgar always knew that he would end up doing something artistic, but he didn’t understand what all that could mean as a young teen.  After three undergraduate degrees that included not only graphic design, but other courses that inspired his work, like art history and creative writing, he later earned his MFA in Illustration.  Edgar explains to us the difference between graphic design and illustra...

Erik was homeschooled in high school and attended community college as a dual credit student before entering his undergraduate program in Chemical Engineering.  Join us to hear Erik’s journey from his chemical engineering program to medicine, switching specializations between three different options as his life moved in different directions.  Erik gives great advice about how to choose what kind o...

Mya was a first generation college student who credits her high school guidance counselor and a workplace mentor with encouraging her to seek a college degree to reach her full potential.  She originally decided to major in Public Policy to later attend law school, but she found herself drawn to working on a college campus and making an impact on student lives in higher education.  Mya explains th...

David began college wanting to be an opera singer, but aggressive cancer treatment forced him to find a new dream.  In this episode, David explains the fascinating worlds of political consulting, marketing consulting, and big data. If you have any interest in working in politics or running for office, you will gain valuable insight listening to this conversation. Students in any field can learn fr...

Teenage Kelly wanted to be a Broadway star or an elementary school teacher, but then she fell in love with her medical mission work in the Dominican Republic.  That experience led her to live and serve there for two years, followed by the completion of her Bachelors degree in Spanish after she returned home to the states.  A few years of battling her own medical issues while enrolled in medical sc...

This episode features a married couple who have had similar changes in their educational and career paths.  Jonathan earned two degrees in Piano performance and taught Piano privately until he realized that he really wanted to go back to school and become a doctor.  Sarah earned her degree in Flute Performance, always knowing she probably wanted to teach, and went on to (very successfully) teach M...

Kristin is one to be open to opportunities and try new things, which is evident in her story for this episode!  Kristin attended undergrad in New Orleans where she studied Business and Mandarin Chinese, while also committing as a cadet in ROTC on a significant scholarship. After college, she became an Army officer, where one of her assignments had her stationed in Korea. As a dentist, she now work...

Tara has experienced many twists and turns along her path as a musician to her career as a freelance Opera Stage Director.  Join us for this fun conversation about her undergrad and graduate degrees in vocal performance, the freelance life, her financial planning workshop, moving across the country a few times, managing time between gigs, and the needlepoint canvas shop she launched on Etsy during...

Even if school is “not your thing”, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a college program out there to suit your strengths and interests!  Jake talks about his academic journey and how the kid who struggled in math landed his first job at NASA--literally witnessing history!  He explains how this career path can be successfully pursued through salaried positions or freelancing, including the importanc...

Adam knew from a young age that he wanted to be a firefighter, but he didn’t realize how many other opportunities existed within this field!  Adam talks with me about his journey, and also outlines the education that is required to begin as a firefighter and be promoted throughout your career.  Additionally, he tells us about the work schedule and life experience of a firefighter, as well as what...

From the time he was a little boy, Mike was obsessed with all things car, truck, and construction vehicles.  He carried that interest all the way to college, where he found the perfect program to learn about the automotive industry, earn his Bachelors degree, and be prepared to work in a variety of positions across these industries.   If you are interested in working with cars, trucks, constructio...

Emily was an award winning journalist before she even graduated from college, where she completed three majors in four years.  Emily soaked up her experiences at her college newspaper, her study abroad to Spain, and her internships, all of which she used throughout her career.  She has launched a magazine, lived in Cabo, started her own freelance business (more than once!), and is now writing for...

From a young age, Bethany loved sports and knew she wanted to pursue sports journalism in college and her career.  In this episode, Bethany tells us how she intentionally worked to gain a variety of valuable experiences both during and after college to build her skills and her resume.  She also explains what it’s like to produce a morning news television program in two different markets, as well a...

Cecy charted a new life for herself in a new country, navigating a complicated immigration system while creating a stellar professional reputation in the music scene.  She returned to college later in life for both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees, in the midst of originating a role in a series of mariachi operas with one of America’s premier opera companies.  Now we are anxiously awaiting...

Correan is always evaluating where he has been and where he is going through reflection, goal setting, impeccable discipline and passionate drive.  After hearing about his journey from playing the clarinet to his current position in higher education advancement with a Masters in Public Administration, you will be inspired to sit down and create your own five year plan!  

Who says you can’t do anything with an Art degree?  The truth is, there are endless possibilities to go out into the workforce and use your creative gifts.  Leigh shares just a few of those with us from her journey, as well as her experience as a college athlete and how she took her talents into coaching high school swimming.  

We truly never know where our path will lead us. Erin began wanting to be a teacher, but changed her major to French, took a detour into Graphic Design, and then taught English for a year in France!  After returning to the states, she pursued her interest in Psychology, and now holds her PhD in Clinical Psychology, specializing in trauma and PTSD.  If you are interested in learning about what it t...