As an outsider, breaking into an industry can often seem like an impossible challenge and so we reached out to some very generous folks who agreed to share their stories of how they broke into their respective industries.

Toya Danielle Yarbrough LPN, CCM

The first job that I had in my industry was as a pediatric school nurse for a preschool/ headstart program. I was a new graduate and there weren’t very many jobs out there for new grads at the time. Read more>>

Lindsey Tavakolian

The road to become a plastic surgeon is long and includes 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and then the most important training of all is plastic surgery residency (for 6 years). The quality of your plastic surgery residency training really matters because it is during this time that you learn how to operate and you also learn how to practice safe medicine. I was fortunate to be accepted into and train at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas which was the number one plastic surgery training program in the nation. Read more>>

Fernanda Brandini

Born and raised in Brazil I had started my career as a Dietitian at the age of 22. Never imagined moving to the United States but I did when I was 26. I have always had the passion for beauty and fashion but a career in these fields was never a thought in my mind. Originally I was supposed to stay in San Diego for 6 months and move back to Brazil. Everything changed when I got married in San Diego and never moved back. Read more>>

Haley Prophet

When I graduated with a degree in Health Promotion there was lots of skepticism of friends and acquaintances as to how I would put this to use. I, however, never saw a doubt about the work I would be doing. My first job in this field was a unique beginning. I was a new resident in the Tampa Bay area after having moved from my Midwest roots and was exploring what opportunities were available. Read more>>