Trades

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Following Your Artistic Passion with Mary Elizabeth L!

Company: Custom jewelry/jeweler/goldsmith

Title: Business Owner

Experience at current job: 4 years as business owner, 28 years as goldsmith

Postsecondary: Kansas City Art Institute (4 year college of art and design)

Mary Elizabeth is a Goldsmith and entrepreneur. She went to college and was also an apprentice. Now she works with people to build custom jewelry!

No Bad Days at the Chocolate Factory with Nate C!

Company: Dandelion Chocolate

Title: Lead Chocolate Maker

Experience at current job: 3 years

Postsecondary: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Nate is a Lead Chocolate Maker at Dandelion Chocolate. He says that solving problems every day and making a great product is what ensures that there is never a bad day at the chocolate factory!

 

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Be a Boss

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Be an Entrepreneur with Kadeem D!

Company: Young Entrepreneurs of Atlanta

Title: CEO, Founder

Experience at current job: 6 years

Postsecondary: Florida A&M University

Kadeem is a non-profit founder and entrepreneur who knows a thing or two about navigating twists and turns!

Let Your Network Catch You with Lauren T!

Company: College Possible Washington

Title: Executive Director

Experience at current job: 3 months

Postsecondary: Gonzaga University

Lauren is the Executive Director at College Possible Washington and says that everyone can build relationships, be proud of their network, and let others help you out!

Visualize Your Goals and Have Passion with Anthony F!

Company: UBS 

Title: Relationship Manager 

Experience at current job: 15 years 

Anthony is a Relationship Manager with UBS Investment bank and says that if you bring a vision and passion to your work, you can’t lose!

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Fresh Outta School

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Climbing That Ladder

Hear stories about career twists and turns and creating a chosen future.

Technology

Imagining the future of the world one app at a time!

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All about that money!

Climbing That Ladder

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Find Scholarships and Mentors with Alba D!

Company: Comcast

Title: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Coordinator

Alba works as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Coordinator at Comcast. Her advice to her younger self is to apply to all the scholarships because every dime counts!

Looking Beyond Yourself for Opportunity with Tierra J!

Company: College Possible Washington

Title: Development Manager

Experience at current job: 2 years

Postsecondary: Penn State University (BA), Fairleigh Dickinson University, Masters Degree

Tierra is a Development Manager with College Possible Washington. She says she had to look beyond the reality of her neighborhood to reach her dreams and find opportunity.

Solving Puzzles and Staying Curious with Nick H!

Company: Panorama Education

Title: Senior Product Manager

Experience at current job: 1 month

Postsecondary: University of North Texas, BA – University of Washington, MA

Nick is a Senior Product Manager at Panorama Education. His love of solving problems and always staying curious has led him from education to tech.

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Mission-oriented work can change lives, including yours!

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Submit your Career Story for The Way!

Last updated January 6, 2025

In this article

Career exploration is critical to helping young people learn what career pathways and opportunities are available to them – now and in the future. Get Schooled is building a video series called The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way. This series will help the young people that Get Schooled serves – majority youth of color, low-income, first-generation college students – understand that while there is no one path to find to a fulfilling career, there are stories from people just like them who found their way. We hope to capture stories from professionals to share their career journeys and advice for young people seeking their own way.

Ready to volunteer? Please follow the steps below.

Step 1. Prepare by watching the brief “how to” video.

Step 2. Review your “script” – follow the below prompted questions to record your 2-minute video

We have 6 questions we’d like you to answer and then one “choose your own adventure” question. 

In 2 minutes, please use these six questions as your script: 

  1. We know your job title, but in 10 seconds tell us simply what you generally do? You don’t have to name your employer if you’re not comfortable with that – just let us know what you do, generally. 
  2. Tell us about your career journey. How did you get from high school to your current role?
  3. Tell us about your circumstance growing up. (What type of town/city did you grow up in? What was family life like? Was paying for college easy? What were your challenges)
  4. What do you love most about your job?
  5. What was the turning point when identifying that you wanted to do this work?
  6. What advice or tips do you have for young people who might be interested in doing similar kinds of work as you?

If you are still under 2 minutes – pick one more question! 

  1. What was your very first job?
  2. Tell me about a typical day in your job. What does it entail?
  3. What did you study in college (if applicable) and how does that relate – or not – to the work you do in your current job?
  4. What’s one specific challenge you’ve overcome in your career and how did you overcome it?
  5. Why did you decide to work in this industry?
  6. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
  7. Do you have a mentor or role model? If so, how have they helped you in your career?
  8. What do you wish you had known before you started in this industry?

Step 3. Record your video

Here are some tips for filming your video. 

  • The Way is meant to be conversational and and authentic. Be yourself and it will be amazing! Imagine that you are the “cool relative” to our audience of young people – they want to hear your story! Or imagine you are talking to yourself in high school – what tone or message would have reached you? 
  • We know this isn’t easy so take your time, use multiple takes and stick with it! Get Schooled is here to support (and edit!) as necessary.
  • Become the cinematographer you always knew you were: 
    • Find a quiet place to record with little background noise so we can really hear your story. 
    • Film horizontally on your smartphone (laptop webcam works, too). 
    • Find your light! Face a window for that gorgeous natural light and no matter your light source make sure you’re not too back-lit. We want to see your face! 

Step 4. Upload your video

Click the button below to submit your video.

Note: all video submissions are reviewed for content and quality. Some submissions may not be published.

THANK YOU! 

Take a moment and receive this immense thanks from Get Schooled! By sharing your story, you are supporting more than 200,000 youth per year with career-related resources. 

Need Assistance?

Email us at hello@getschooled.com!

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A career where you can create something you can wear (or eat!).

Technology

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Before hearing from these tech pros, learn more about the career pathways that use computer science and math as the foundation! 

Understand What You Need First with Scherezad Y!

Company: Eightfold AI

Title: Product Operations Lead

Experience at current job: 2.5 years

Postsecondary: University of Washington (Bachelor’s & Master’s)

Scherezad works as a Product Operations Lead at a tech start-up called Eightfold AI. She says that knowing yourself and your needs when looking for a college or job is key!

Start Coding for Free with Riley B!

Company: Health Tech Company

Title: Software Engineer

Experience at current job: 1 year

Postsecondary: University of Puget Sound

Riley is a Software Engineer for a healthcare company. Her previous work as a teacher and advocate for young people to learn coding inspired her to change careers, too! 

Ask Questions and Be Yourself with Sara N!

Company: Comcast

Title: Software Engineer

Sarah works as a Software Engineer at Comcast. Her passion for tech started in high school!

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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Bet On Yourself with Adanech M!

Company: Jumpstart for Young Children

Title: Senior Site Manager

Experience at current job: 2 years

Postsecondary: Howard University and admitted to Columbia University for graduate school. South Seattle Community College, University of Florida, IT Apprenticeship

Adanech has worked on both coasts and, gone to community college, a four year college, and graduate school! She says to be just like J. Cole and “bet on yourself!”

Be Brave and Find Mentors with Vince O!

Company: Reconnect to Opportunity, King County

Title: Peer Connector

Experience at current job: 3 years

Postsecondary: University of Washington

Vince is a Peer Connector, helping teens find the right educational programs for them. His passion for public health keeps him motivated.

Building Community at Work with Rachel S!

Company: UBS

Title: IT Project Manager

Experience at current job: 4 years

Postsecondary: Stevens Tech

Rachel is an IT Project Manager with UBS Investment Bank and works to build community at her workplace and is always looking to increase representation for women in tech and finance. 

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Hear stories about career twists and turns and creating a chosen future.

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From little kids to adults, we all need to learn!

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A career where you can create something you can wear (or eat!).

Communications

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Before jumping into some amazing stories from communications professionals, check out this video to learn all about the career pathway of Communications and Public Relations! 

No One Can Dim Your Light with Abre’ya L!

Company: Center for Disease Control

Title: Health Communication Specialist

Experience at current job: 2 years

Postsecondary: Duke University, Emory University (Rollins School of Public Health)

Arbre’ya has been a communications specialist for the CDC and a college advisor. She knows that no one can dim your light and that closed mouths don’t get fed!

Storytelling and Communications as Advocacy with Jocelyn J

Company: WE Communications

Title: Senior Director of Creative Strategy

Experience at current job: 1 year

Postsecondary: New York University (BA) and Baruch College (Master’s)

Jocelyn is a Senior Director of Audience Insights and Strategy at WE Communications. She loves being able to advocate for people by telling their stories on a large scale!

Tell a Story and Change a Life with Julia K.

Company: Global Technology Company

Title: Senior Account Executive

Experience at current job: 2.5 years

Postsecondary: University of Maryland, College Park

Julia works in Public Relations for a Global Tech Company. She gets to tell stories about how technology can help people on a global scale.

Tell Stories of Impact with Lisa S.

Company: Global Public Relations Company

Title: Vice President for Executive and Internal Communications

Experience at current job: 2 years

Postsecondary: University of Hawaii

Lisa is the VP for Executive and Internal Communications for a global PR company. She worked in nearly every industry and decided that telling impactful stories was her purpose.

 

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Nonprofit

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Remember Your Why and Light Your Fire with Alexandria W!

Company: KSRE

Title: 4H Youth Development Agent

Experience at current job: 1 year

Postsecondary: Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University

Alexandria is a 4H Youth Development Agent. She is a fierce advocate for young people’s rights and says that if you remember your “why” you can always keep your inner fire burning.

Finding Yourself at College with Kidesti T!

Company: College Possible Washington

Title: Recruitment and Operations Specialist

Experience at current job: 2 years

Postsecondary: Penn State University

Kidesti works as a Recruitment and Operations Specialist at College Possible Washington. She believes in the power of education and her advice is to “Go to college!”

Informational Interviews are Key with Taha R!

Company: NeighborWorks America

Title: Director of Finance

Experience at current job: 5 years

Postsecondary: B.S in Accounting and Information Systems from University of Texas at Dallas. M.A. Marketing and Integrated Business from University of Malta and San Diego State University

Taha is a Director of Finance at NeighborWorks America. She says the best way to find out what you might like is to ask for informational interviews from people in jobs you might like!

 

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Education

Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

Before we jump into some amazing educators’ stories, be sure to check out the career keys for someone looking to get into education and social service!

Your Life Experience Matters in Healthcare with Tomoko S!

Company: University of Washington Medicine

Title: Associate professor of family medicine

Experience at current company: 6 years

Postsecondary: International Christian University, Okayama Medical School, University of Pittsburgh

Tomoko is a Physician and professory at the University of Washington Medical School. She says that there are many paths to becoming a doctor or working in healthcare and that overcoming hard experiences makes you a better doctor.

It’s Okay to Change Your Mind with Katie W! 

Company: Community Engagement & Leadership Education (CELE) Center, University of Washington

Title: Sr. Program Manager of Community-Based Internships

Experience at current company: 3 years

Postsecondary: University of Oregon (BA), University of Washington (MIT)

Katie is runs Community-Based Internships at the University of Washington. She has been a high school Spanish teacher and realized that real life experiences lead us to change paths. And that is a good thing!

Work From Your Heart with Liz H!

Company: El Centro de la Raza

Title: Youth Programs Manager

Experience at current company: 4 years

Postsecondary: San Diego State University, BA – San Jose State University, M.A.

Liz works in youth programming at El Centro de la Raza. Her work is all about leading with your heart, which means you also need to take care of yourself first!

 

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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

This is The Way: Career Stories to Find Your Way–a video series created by Get Schooled. In this series, you’ll hear from professionals in all types of industries about how they found their way and the advice they have for young people starting their first jobs. We’re here to help you find your way!

The Journey is Worth It with Sandy J!

Company: Population Media Center

Title: Program Manager, International Programs

Experience at current job: 1 month, 2 years previous job

Postsecondary: Boston University and Columbia University

Sandy is a Program Manager for International Programs and says that the journey to find the right path for you is worth it.

Be Patient and Keep Fighting with Christopher M!

Company: Office of Transition Initiative/US Agency in Development

Title: Recruitment Unit – Team Lead

Experience at current job: 5 years

Postsecondary: BS Community Studies UC Santa Cruz, MS International Development – College of Mount Saint Vincent

Christopher works to find passionate people to help serve the world! Hear how he stayed motivated on his journey.

Bridging Cultures with Language with Matthew M!

Company: Transperfect Translations

Title: Internal Linguist

Experience at current job: 3 years

Postsecondary: Kalamazoo College

Matthew works as a translator from Spanish into English in Spain! He sees the power of language to bridge cultures and people.

 

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