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.

Kaleena Hurlburt

As I was transitioning from dancing professionally to wanting to become a Gyrotnic® Trainer at the renowned San Francisco Gyrotonic® I was taking a Foundation Course with the owner of the studio. Upon registration I told her that it was my intention to work there after the course was over and she seemed surprised, but also smiled politely and said, “We’ll see.” Read More>>

Amanda Srisathapat

I had just received the exciting news that I had passed the California State Board Exam! After four years of dedicated effort towards my Master’s degree, culminating in an outstanding internship, I was finally ready to take the next step in my journey. My goal was clear: to help others feel better, to heal, and to improve their quality of life. Read More>>

Kelli Wagner

I was 24 years old with only a little over a year sober when I was first given a chance to enter the mental health field. The job I was seeking was as a behavioral health technician at a long-term residential facility for teens and young adults who were struggling with substance abuse, trauma, and mental health issues. I thought no one would want to hire me as a person in recovery from substance abuse issues with a rocky past. Read More>>

Talya Jackson

From a young age, I knew my purpose was to heal people. I didn’t feel called to be a nurse or a doctor, but when I discovered physical therapy, everything clicked. It was the path I envisioned for myself throughout middle school, high school, and college. Before my senior year, I applied to several PT schools, with Winston-Salem State University at the top of my list. I had always dreamed of attending an HBCU, and WSSU had a strong program that resonated with me. Read More>>

Nicole Nidea

During my first weeks as a first-year student at Washington University in St. Louis, I was eager to find student organizations to join. One opportunity caught my attention: a tour of the local Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) donor care unit hosted by the original SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates chapter. At the time, I was considering medical school, and the chance to see a surgical suite intrigued me. I didn’t know much about organ, eye, and tissue donation, but I signed up. Read More>>

Jenn O’connell

I was fresh out of graduate school for my Master of Social Work degree in 2017. I had been applying to jobs for about four months at this point, with minimal responses. I had my heart set to work at a hospital near me, which happened to be one of the largest freestanding behavioral health hospitals in the country. I wasn’t hearing anything back so my mom suggested I apply to volunteer to get my foot in the door. Read More>>