Gretchen graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2018. While in high school she completed two international student exchange programs through the Dublin AM Rotary and enjoyed them so much, she took a gap year after high school to do a full year exchange program before going to college. She recently earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and is now living in Germany to pursue employment opportunities in engineering.

This episode features:

• How cultural exchange programs through the Dublin AM Rotary impacted Gretchen's life.
• How networking plays a crucial role in finding and landing a job, especially abroad.
• Germany's diverse educational and career paths compared to the U.S.
• How taking a gap year can provide valuable life experiences.
• The importance of embracing individual timelines when planning your post-high school journey.

• Different ways high school students can explore areas of interest before committing to a career pathway.

Alivia graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2021. She is a junior at the University of Dayton majoring in Chemical Engineering where she is also a Division 1 athlete on their cheerleading squad. She recently completed two internships with NASA, which was an incredible experience!

This episode features:

• How Alivia selected Chemical Engineering as a major.

• Details on her Internship experiences with NASA.

• How earlier experiences and preparing for a career fair helped to land her such a desirable internship.
• The importance of getting involved on a college campus.

• Her positive experience with UD and the university's support while she was doing an internship in another city during the school year.
• How career paths can be non-linear and require flexibility.
• Her desire to explore future career options in countries outside of the United States.
• How networking is essential for opening doors in any field.

Shawn graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2019. He is now a real estate agent, property investor, and professional magician. Shawn shares insights on the challenges and rewards of his career choices, the value of self-education, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives him.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

• How Shawn ended up in real estate after learning that he wanted to eventually own and rent out properties.
• The value of networking and finding mentors.
• Alternative options to traditional college.

• Different approaches Shawn has used to educate himself about career areas of interest.
• How the Dublin Business Academy provided Shawn with a great experiential learning opportunity in understanding business operations.

• The value of taking advice from those who are in roles that you are interested in pursuing in the future.

Andrew graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2021. He was accepted into Ohio University's Early Assurance program, which provides a more streamlined route to medical school. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences but before officially enrolling in OU's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, he is enjoying a gap year abroad as an assistant researcher at Queen Mary University in London, England.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

• Andrew is currently researching pituitary adenomas in London.
• He is considering a dual DO/PhD program for medical school.
• His research experience sparked a passion for endocrinology.
• Working in a lab provided real-world applications of his studies.
• He values the collaboration between researchers and physicians.
• Andrew's gap year has given him insights into different healthcare systems.
• He appreciates the focus on patient care in osteopathic medicine.
• His pharmacy technician role helped him realize his passion for being a physician.
• Volunteering in high school solidified his interest in healthcare.
• Andrew advises students to use their time wisely in college.

Garrett graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2018. He has since earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) and a Master's in Transportation & Car Design from Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, Italy. Currently, he is enjoying an internship as a Junior Creative Designer with Marinella Design Studio where he is working with a team on a high end sports car. In this conversation, Garrett shares about his journey into the world of car design, detailing his educational background, the importance of mentorship, and his aspirations for a career in the automotive industry. He emphasizes the significance of building a strong portfolio and networking, while also providing valuable advice for aspiring designers.

This episode includes:

• How Garrett's family influenced his passion for design.
• His initial pursuit of footwear design before transitioning to car design.
• How mentorship played a crucial role in his career decision making.
• The importance of a strong portfolio when entering creative fields.
• How networking through platforms like LinkedIn can lead to valuable opportunities.
• How Garrett ended up in Italy for his Master's program.

• The importance of consistency when developing a new skill.

Camden graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2018 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Entomology from The Ohio State University. In this conversation, he shares about his unique journey from Dublin, Ohio, to Tokyo, Japan, where he is currently teaching and pursuing graduate school. He discusses taking a gap year to explore personal interests, particularly in entomology - the scientific study of insects and their impact on humans and the environment. Camden emphasizes the significance of mentorship and guidance from educators throughout his academic journey, and he reflects on the opportunities available for students interested in environmental science.

This episode features:

• What drew Camden to Japan in the first place and how the experience has impacted his future career plans.
• The value of taking a gap year.
• How Camden went from pursuing medical school to pursuing a PdD in Entomology...in Japan!
• The importance of mentorship in shaping a career path.
• Embracing uncertainty and exploring your passions.

• The multidisciplinary nature of environmental science.

Brooke graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2018. In this conversation, she shares her journey from high school to becoming a full-time wedding photographer. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of starting her own business, the importance of networking and learning from others, and her aspirations for the future. Brooke emphasizes the value of alternative education paths and encourages young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions without feeling confined to traditional expectations. Be sure to check out her website at https://www.brookeandersonphoto.com/

This episode features the following:

• The high school class and teacher who inspired Brooke to pursue photography and how she went about developing this skill.
• How Brooke transitioned to a full-time business owner after earning a social work degree at Ohio State.
• How networking with other entrepreneurs is crucial for growth.
• Different strategies and resources for learning how to start and run a business.
• How Brooke benefited from Columbus State's Preferred Pathways Program that led to a more affordable degree from OSU.

• Encouragement for not being afraid to consider alternative education paths that may be a better fit for personal career goals.

Dane graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2022. He is now a third year college student at the University of Central Florida majoring in Film and minoring in Entrepreneurship.

This episode features the following topics:

• How Dane transitioned from a pre-med track to pursuing a career in the film industry.
• The importance of networking in the film industry as a way to find mentors and experiential learning opportunities - utilizing LinkedIn and connections can open doors!

• Some of the projects Dane is working on to develop skills related to his career goals.
• Dane's experiences as a production assistant on a big-budget movie set.
• The importance of finding experiential learning opportunities in high school.

• Embracing one's personal journey and being open to new paths.

Garrett graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2021. Since then his pathways have embodied all of the 4 E's as he has become an Army Reservist, Trauma Nurse at Grant Hospital, Real Estate Agent, and manages his own property business.

This episode features the following topics:

• Garrett starting out in real estate after high school following an internship with a friend's parent through the Dublin Young Professionals Academy.

• How military service has provided valuable benefits, including educational support and financial security.
• How Garrett's nursing career began through military training, leading to a passion for healthcare and his current role as trauma nurse.
• How Garrett's father provided him with opportunities to understand investing and money management during high school.
• Great advice on collecting as many real-world experiences as you can during high school.
• How being open to change and new opportunities can lead to the most fulfilling opportunities in life.

Liz graduated from Dublin City Schools in 2017. After high school, she attended Ball State University where she majored in Psychology and played on the varsity women's golf team. She is now an Account Coordinator for WIT Contests, a digital marketing platform specializing in improving fan engagement and providing valuable data for professional sports organizations.

This episode features the following topics:

• Information about Liz's current role as well as details about other opportunities to work in the sports industry.
• How Liz took her passion for women's sports and created internships and job opportunities related to her interests
• How curiosity and networking played a crucial role in Liz's career development, especially her relationships with coaches and professors.
• Experiential learning opportunities that Liz took advantage of in high school such as Broadcast and Video Production and a humanities program called Mosaic.

• Why it is okay to change your mind about your career path.
• How pursuing interests outside of academics can lead to valuable opportunities.