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.

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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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...
Read More
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.
Read More
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...
Read More
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.
Read More
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)...
Read More
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.
Read More
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...
Read More
Caleb Mugglin

Pilot

Caleb Mugglin chose to become a pilot because he loves to learn and enjoys understanding the aircraft from a pilot's perspective. Plus, he gets to spend time with his dad, who happens to be his primary flight instructor! Caleb is also an aviation mechanic and a great member of the Textron Aviation ...
Read More