Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

• Following Your Artistic Passion with Mary Elizabeth L!
• No Bad Days at the Chocolate Factory with Nate C!

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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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

• Understand What You Need First with Scherezad Y!
• Start Coding for Free with Riley B!
• Ask Questions and Be Yourself with Sara N!

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

• No One Can Dim Your Light with Abre'ya L!
• Storytelling and Communications as Advocacy with Jocelyn J
• Tell a Story and Change a Life with Julia K.
• Tell Stories of Impact with Lisa S.

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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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

• Remember Your Why and Light Your Fire with Alexandria W!
• Finding Yourself at College with Kidesti T!
• Informational Interviews are Key with Taha R!

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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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

• Your Life Experience Matters in Healthcare with Tomoko S!
• It's Okay to Change Your Mind with Katie W! 
• Work From Your Heart with Liz H!

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

• The Journey is Worth It with Sandy J!
• Be Patient and Keep Fighting with Christopher M!
• Bridging Cultures with Language with Matthew M!

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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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

• Journalism is a Passion for Stories with Kirstin D!
• The World is Your Stage with Lia F!
• Making Movies and Telling Stories with Derek E!

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!

Are you an entertainer, artist, or performer? Or maybe you enjoy talking about the art and sports you love? Do you muse over the way things look and feel, aesthetically? Learn more about media, art, and design career paths before jumping into the stories from our media pros!

Journalism is a Passion for Stories with Kirstin D!

Company: Wink News

Title: News Anchor

Experience at current job: 3 years

Postsecondary: Hampton University

Kirstin is a News Anchor for Wink News. Journalism is a passion, she says, and that means loving telling stories!

The World is Your Stage with Lia F!

Company: Seattle Rep Theater

Title: Public Works Manager + Freelance Director

Experience at current job: 5 years

Postsecondary: University of California Irvine, BA in Theatre – Honors in Directing

Lia is a theater director and helps more people access the theater. She credits her three cultural upbringings as a key to her storytelling and passion for people.

Making Movies and Telling Stories with Derek E!

Company: Northwest Film Forum

Title: Education Director

Experience at current job: 7 months

Postsecondary: University of Washington

Derek is the Education Director at Northwest Film Forum and a documentary film maker. He has a passion for storytelling and now teaches emerging film makers what his mentors have taught him.

 

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Last updated September 15, 2025

In this article

• Finding Mentors to Find Your Path with Angela N!
• Controlling Your Own Destiny with Gerald L!
• Going Outside Your Comfort Zone with Kevin G!

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!

Do you want to know how to make your money work for you, or do you identify as an entrepreneur? Or maybe you want to help others reach their goals? This video, and the stories below, can help you get the keys to unlocking a career in business and finance!

Finding Mentors to Find Your Path with Angela N!

Company: New York Life

Title: Financial Specialist

Experience at current job: 1 year

Postsecondary: Oakland University

Angela is a Financial Specialist at New York Life and credits mentorship as a key to finding success and fulfillment at work.

Controlling Your Own Destiny with Gerald L!

Company: UBS

Title: Executive Director

Experience at current job: 6 years

Postsecondary: Middlesex County College, Rutgers University, Columbia University 

Gerald works at UBS Investment Bank as an Executive Director. His journey goes from living in his car to believing in himself with the help of key mentors.

Going Outside Your Comfort Zone with Kevin G!

Company: UBS

Title: Financial Analyst

Experience at current job: 19 years

Postsecondary: Aston University

Kevin is a Financial Analyst at UBS Investment Bank. He didn’t grow up knowing what his options were, but a business trip when he was young changed everything. 

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