Sara’s career has never followed a traditional path, but one thing has remained constant: her passion for helping people learn, grow, and succeed. Today, she works as a leadership and organizational development professional, designing programs that help leaders build stronger teams and workplace cultures. Her journey began in healthcare and emergency response, where she worked as an EMT and taught CPR, anatomy, and emergency response skills. Those experiences taught her an important lesson that still guides her work today: learning is most powerful when it’s practical, memorable, and ready to be applied when it matters most.

Although Sara attended college studying psychology, she did not complete her degree. Instead, she built her career through hands-on experience, professional certifications, and a commitment to continuous learning. Along the way, she moved into corporate training, leadership development, and organizational development roles across multiple industries. Like many STARs, Sara has encountered the paper ceiling. Despite leading enterprise-wide leadership programs, coaching senior leaders, and driving large-scale learning initiatives, she has often faced degree requirements and automated screening systems that overlook proven experience and capability. Rather than letting those barriers define her, Sara continued investing in her skills, building expertise through real-world leadership, facilitation, coaching, and professional development.

A turning point came when an HR leader at TCF Bank recognized her potential and hired her as a Leadership Development Trainer. That opportunity allowed Sara to build leadership programs from the ground up and showed her that her greatest strength wasn’t simply teaching—it was creating the conditions for others to succeed. Today, she helps organizations develop stronger leaders while advocating for a broader definition of talent and potential. Her story reflects the experience of many STARs: degrees can be valuable, but they are not the only measure of a person's ability to contribute, lead, and succeed. As Sara reminds others, you don’t need every opportunity—you just need the right one.

Tina has built her career at the intersection of technology, project management, and community. A STAR who learned through experience, training, and determination rather than a traditional four-year degree path, she has spent her career identifying opportunities to improve systems while helping people succeed. Today, her work spans quality assurance, project coordination, process improvement, and community leadership, all grounded in a belief that strong systems and strong communities go hand in hand.

Her journey began with an internship through Year Up United, which opened the door to her first role at AT&T. Early in her career, Tina was often underestimated and faced the reality of the paper ceiling, including being overlooked for opportunities and having to continually prove her skills beyond what appeared on paper. Rather than letting those barriers define her, she focused on results. At AT&T, she noticed a recurring issue with expired email domains and created a proactive process that helped recover approximately $3.5 million in revenue. That experience showed her that she didn’t have to wait for opportunities to appear. She could create them herself. As her career progressed through startup and healthcare environments, she continued building technical, operational, and leadership skills on the job.

A defining chapter of Tina’s journey came at Kobiton, where she built and led a team that included many Per Scholas alumni. There, she helped create a culture rooted in accountability, growth, and shared success while mentoring and supporting others on their own career journeys. Through leadership roles, international projects, and professional certifications, Tina discovered that the work she had been doing all along, bringing people together, improving processes, and driving results, was project management. Today, she continues to invest in her growth while helping others do the same. Her story is a reminder that skills, character, and community can open doors that credentials alone cannot, and that success is even more meaningful when you bring others with you.

Cherri’s career path has never followed a straight line, and that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful. Today, she works for the State of Colorado in Benefits and Leave Administration, helping employees navigate some of life’s most difficult moments, from illness and injury to caregiving and recovery. But the skills she brings to that role were built long before her current title. Through years in bookkeeping, esthetics, entrepreneurship, and human resources, Cherri developed the judgment, empathy, resilience, and problem-solving skills that define her work today.

Early in her career, Cherri worked in bookkeeping and administrative roles before making a bold pivot into esthetics. She became the first employee at a growing company, Waxing the City, and later built and operated her own solo business for eight years. Running that business meant managing every detail of her finances, operations, client relationships, scheduling, and marketing while earning trust through the quality of her work. When she eventually closed her business, she stepped into HR through an opportunity at Denver Rescue Mission, where someone recognized strengths in her that didn’t necessarily show up on paper. There, she supported recruiting, onboarding, payroll, and employee services, often advocating for people who had been overlooked by traditional hiring systems.

After later experiencing her own season of being overlooked during a difficult job search, Cherri remained persistent, applying for more than 100 roles before finding her place with the State of Colorado. Today, she uses every skill she gained through her nontraditional journey to support others with compassion and care. Her story is a reminder that valuable skills are built in many places, through work, entrepreneurship, life experience, and perseverance, and that when employers recognize talent beyond a degree, STARs are ready to excel.

Matt built his career in IT through determination, curiosity, and hands-on learning. Today, he serves as a Senior Mac Specialist, leading a team of Apple and Mac technicians while supporting engineering and deployment efforts across corporate offices and club locations. His work combines technical expertise with leadership, project management, and collaboration — skills he developed over years of learning on the job and continuously adapting in fast-paced environments.

Matt’s path to success wasn’t traditional. He struggled in large classroom settings and learned best through practical, hands-on experience. Encouraged by his parents to pursue something he was passionate about, he found his direction in technology. After earning his Computer and Network Technician certification from MTTI, he began his career in a tech support call center at CVS, building foundational troubleshooting and customer support skills. Later, he joined BJ’s Wholesale Club as a contractor and, through persistence and consistent results, earned a full-time position that eventually grew into a leadership role. Along the way, Matt often faced the “paper ceiling” — being screened out or overlooked because he didn’t have a four-year degree, despite having the skills and experience to succeed.

One of Matt’s biggest breakthroughs came when he created opportunities for himself instead of waiting for them. Seeing gaps where stronger technical support and processes were needed, he stepped up and proved the value he could bring. That mindset continues to guide him today. For other STARs navigating similar barriers, Matt offers simple but powerful advice: keep going until someone recognizes your worth — and even when they don’t, never stop believing in your own potential. His story is a reminder that talent, leadership, and impact are built through skills and perseverance, not just degrees.

Lisa has built her career through resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to keep moving forward. Today, she works as a clinical care coordinator in the healthcare industry, bringing together strong communication, coordination, and customer service skills to support both patients and care teams. Her path has taken her across multiple industries, from retail to dispatch to healthcare, and each experience has helped her grow new skills, connect with people, and learn how to thrive in changing environments.

Throughout her career journey, Lisa has faced the challenges of the “paper ceiling.” While trying to pivot into new industries and opportunities, she often found herself overlooked because she didn’t have a bachelor’s degree. Despite her experience, adaptability, and strong work ethic, she watched others advance more easily simply because they had traditional credentials on paper. But instead of letting those setbacks define her, Lisa kept pushing herself to learn, grow, and pursue new opportunities. Her strengths, including teamwork, attention to detail, coordination, and problem-solving, were built through real-world experience and persistence.

One of the biggest lessons Lisa carries with her is the importance of never accepting “no” as the final answer. By continuing to take chances on herself and staying open to change, she has been able to keep building momentum in her career, even when opportunities still feel out of reach. Today, her story reflects the determination shared by so many STARs: success doesn’t follow one path, and skills can be built anywhere. Her advice to others facing similar barriers is simple but powerful — ”keep trying, keep growing, and don’t be afraid to believe in yourself”. As Lisa says, “When life gives you lemons, squeeze them!”

Jin is a Business Analyst at Accenture in Virginia, but his path into tech didn’t begin in a traditional classroom. Before entering the industry, Jin ran a wedding photography business with his brother — building creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills along the way. After attending a software engineering bootcamp through General Assembly, he discovered an apprenticeship opportunity at Accenture in 2022 that would completely reshape his career trajectory.

Like many STARs, Jin faced barriers that had nothing to do with talent and everything to do with access. The apprenticeship opened doors to opportunities that often require a four-year degree and gave him something even more valuable: confidence. Through hands-on learning, Jin developed enterprise-level coding skills, learned how to think strategically as a business analyst, and gained experience collaborating with stakeholders and managing complex projects. One of his biggest breakthroughs came during his very first assignment. Unsure where to begin, he pushed through self-doubt, researched unfamiliar concepts, and successfully completed the task — proving to himself that he belonged in the field and could thrive in it.

Today, Jin sees his journey as proof that talent exists everywhere, not just in traditional pipelines. He believes apprenticeships and alternative pathways help uncover skilled individuals who may otherwise be overlooked. His message to other STARs is simple: take the chance, stay curious, and don’t underestimate where opportunity can lead. As Jin puts it, “Talent is nothing without opportunity.”

Henry’s path into cybersecurity began with a leap of faith. In June 2020, with only $400 to his name, he made a life-changing decision: he used his last dollars to buy a laptop and invest in himself. Determined to build a future in tech, Henry spent countless nights studying until sunrise, teaching himself new skills and preparing for certification exams through online learning platforms like Coursera. What was designed to be a nine-month certification program, he completed in just two months through relentless focus, discipline, and hard work.

Henry didn’t follow a traditional route into the tech industry. Instead, he built his career through self-directed learning, industry certifications, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Along the way, he pushed through pressure, exhaustion, and uncertainty, refusing to let his circumstances define what he could achieve. He continued expanding his skills through the Google Cybersecurity Certification and is now pursuing his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification to deepen his expertise even further.

Today, Henry’s story reflects the resilience and determination shared by so many STARs — workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes. His journey is proof that talent and potential aren’t defined by a four-year degree, but by the willingness to keep learning, keep growing, and keep betting on yourself. Henry hopes others who face barriers or doubt will remember that success is possible when you trust your abilities and take the first step forward

Danielle built her career by learning through experience, staying curious, and stepping into opportunities before she felt fully “ready.” Today, she serves as a Compliance and Credentialing Manager in healthcare, helping organizations strengthen compliance, quality improvement, and risk management systems that ultimately support safer care for underserved communities. Her journey began in the private sector, where she advanced quickly from a Collateral Specialist role into leadership positions focused on compliance and operational oversight. Along the way, Danielle discovered a talent for identifying gaps, improving workflows, and helping teams solve problems before they became larger risks.

Although Danielle does not yet have a bachelor’s degree, she refused to let the paper ceiling define her career. She often found herself needing to prove her capabilities through performance rather than credentials, even while successfully doing work at advanced levels. Instead of discouraging her, those challenges strengthened her adaptability, resilience, and commitment to continuous learning. A major turning point came when she decided to leave the private sector and transition into healthcare at Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC). Entering a completely new industry without a traditional healthcare background was a risk, but Danielle embraced the challenge. She taught herself credentialing and healthcare compliance on the job while expanding into quality improvement, reporting, and operational leadership. Over time, she became known for connecting systems, people, and data in ways that help organizations grow while supporting the communities they serve.

For Danielle, leadership is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and trust. She believes the best systems are built when people feel heard, supported, and included in the process. Her advice to other STARs is simple: don’t count yourself out of opportunities before someone else does. “Some of the biggest growth happens when you take a chance on yourself before you feel completely ready,” she says. Danielle’s story is a powerful reminder that skills, initiative, and lived experience can create meaningful impact—no traditional path required.

Keylin built his career by betting on his skills long before the workforce fully recognized them. After high school, he balanced community college classes with full-time work, searching for something more meaningful than the routine he felt stuck in. Everything changed when he joined Year Up United, where he gained technical training, mentorship, and the confidence to see his own potential more clearly. What started as an opportunity to build skills became the foundation for a career centered on leadership, communication, and helping others grow. After working at State Street Investment Bank, Keylin returned to Year Up United as a staff member and spent more than nine years growing across five different roles, eventually becoming Associate Director of Learning and Advisory Services.

But like many STARs, Keylin still encountered the paper ceiling. At one point, a mentor told him he would not be able to work at Year Up United without a bachelor’s degree — a moment that stayed with him deeply. Instead of accepting that limitation, he applied for 13 different roles within the organization before finally getting hired. Within six months, he earned a promotion, and another soon followed. Over time, he became one of the organization’s youngest program managers nationally and later helped Fortune 500 employers rethink how they value skills-first talent.

Today, Keylin uses his expertise in facilitation, talent development, and people-centered leadership to create opportunities for others. He believes learning happens everywhere — through experience, repetition, relationships, and resilience. His story reflects the strength of the STAR community: people whose talent, determination, and impact cannot be measured by a degree alone. As Keylin says, “You can’t control the jobs, you can’t control the market… Control how you respond to it all.”

Stephanie’s career journey has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to creating a better future for her family. As a Puerto Rican mother of four and the first in her family to pursue higher education, she built her career without a traditional roadmap. Her first professional role was as a front desk associate at a Hilton Inn, where she learned how to navigate fast-paced environments, communicate with people from all walks of life, and step into leadership responsibilities early on. Later, seeking more stability for her family, Stephanie transitioned into healthcare as an office manager at a chiropractic center, where she spent several years developing skills in operations, patient care, and team management.

Although Stephanie once planned to become a registered nurse and completed her prerequisite coursework, balancing school, work, and raising four children made continuing full-time unrealistic. Instead of giving up on her goals, she continued building her skills through hands-on experience and earned a certification in phlebotomy and lab assistance. At one point, Stephanie made the difficult decision to leave her job without another opportunity lined up so she could invest in herself and her future. During that time, she completed a Google Project Management Certificate and began searching for a role that would allow her to remain connected to healthcare while creating more flexibility for her family. That leap led her into an entirely new side of the industry — moving from patient-facing work into technical healthcare operations as a Project Associate.

She now works as an Operations Coordinator and continues training toward becoming a Project Manager after earning multiple promotions along the way. She is most proud of the path she created for herself — one built through persistence, continuous learning, and the willingness to step outside of her comfort zone. Over time, Stephanie has learned to manage imposter syndrome and trust the value of her lived experience and skills. Her story is a reminder that success does not have to follow a traditional path, and that growth often begins the moment you decide to bet on yourself.

Paige is a STAR who turned a nontraditional path into a career dedicated to expanding opportunities for others.

After high school, she wasn’t sure a four-year degree was the right fit. Instead, she took a different route—earning her associate degree and completing an internship with a state agency in Idaho. That experience opened doors she hadn’t imagined and helped her discover her passion for connecting people to meaningful careers.

Along the way, Paige faced doubt from others who told her she wouldn’t succeed without a bachelor’s degree. But she continued building her career in the public sector, gaining expertise in workforce systems and helping others navigate alternative pathways.

Today, Paige serves as Director of the STARs Public Sector Hub at Opportunity@Work, where she partners with public sector leaders to create more inclusive pathways to good jobs.

Finding the STAR community helped her see her own journey in a new light—connecting her to a national movement of millions of workers skilled through alternative routes.

Now, she uses her voice and her role to advocate for STARs across the country, helping open doors and shift how opportunity is defined.

“When STARs shine together, we change what opportunity looks like for everyone.”

Dau’ne is a STAR who built a career through alternative routes—turning early work experience into leadership and impact.

She began her journey as a supervisor cashier at Kroger, where she developed strong customer service and team leadership skills. She later transitioned into education as a teacher assistant with special education, expanding her ability to communicate, support others, and adapt in dynamic environments. During her time as an educator, she also earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Houston Community College, strengthening her foundation in business and leadership.

Today, Dau’ne is a Creative Project Manager for the Paperless Pathways Podcast, where she helps drive storytelling and operations that highlight opportunity and career mobility.

Through every step of her journey, Dau’ne has built skills in creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving—proving that talent is developed through experience, not just degrees.

“Together, we’re tearing the paper ceiling and redefining opportunity.”

Sara is a Program Specialist and Case Management Advisor with the State of Arizona, where she supports systems that help people with disabilities find meaningful employment. Based in Phoenix, she brings decades of experience in accounting, legal support, and operations to her work—along with a deep commitment to helping others rebuild and move forward. As a STAR, Sara’s journey reflects resilience, reinvention, and the power of believing in your own worth.

Sara’s career spans more than 45 years, beginning with a junior accounting certificate and early roles in bookkeeping, radio, and banking. Over time, she took on increasing responsibility—often performing at leadership levels—but repeatedly encountered the paper ceiling when she was denied advancement due to not having a degree. Her path also included profound personal challenges, including addiction, incarceration, and years of rebuilding her life. After 15 years on disability, Sara reentered the workforce during the pandemic as an Unemployment Adjudicator, drawing on her legal training and lived experience to help people navigate job loss at a critical time. Through determination and continuous learning, she advanced into multiple roles within the state, ultimately finding purpose in work that makes a difference.

Sara’s breakthrough came through resilience—learning to trust herself and recognize her own value after years of doubt. Today, she plays a key role in modernizing systems that serve others, combining her accounting expertise, legal knowledge, and leadership skills to create impact. Her story is a testament to the strength of the STAR community: that skills, perseverance, and self-belief can carry you forward, no matter where you start. As Sara puts it, “No mud, no lotus…your ability to shine is entirely up to you.”

Jodee is an Account Manager and Client Advisor in the accounting industry, where she helps businesses stay organized, informed, and financially strong. Based in Las Vegas, she has built a career rooted in problem-solving, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning. Without following a traditional college path, Jodee developed her expertise through hands-on experience—proving that real-world skills can be just as powerful as any degree.

Jodee’s journey began in retail and administrative roles, where she first gained exposure to bookkeeping. Early on, she stepped into an office manager position with little formal accounting training, learning by doing and figuring things out along the way. Over time, she built a strong foundation in accounting across small businesses and nonprofits, even owning her own business and leading accounting and HR functions. Like many STARs, she faced moments of doubt tied to not having a degree—sometimes questioning her own value despite years of experience. But through persistence and curiosity, she continued to grow her skills and confidence on the job.

A turning point came when Jodee transitioned into a multi-client bookkeeping environment, where she was challenged to adapt across industries and expand her capabilities. That experience helped her realize just how much she was capable of and strengthened her confidence as a professional. Today, Jodee’s story reflects the power of learning by doing and trusting your own path. Her message to others is simple: don’t underestimate what you already know—because as she puts it, “Everything is figureoutable.”

Mario is an Account Solutions Manager in the legal tech industry, where he helps drive business growth, streamline operations, and build strong client relationships. Based in Salt Lake City, he has built a career defined by initiative, adaptability, and results—proving that skills and performance can open doors, even without a traditional degree. Today, Mario continues to grow as a leader while creating impact in a fast-evolving industry.

Mario’s path into this role was anything but linear. He began working as a Microsoft promoter and campus bookstore employee while attending college, but ultimately chose to leave school to pursue full-time opportunities. Starting as a personal banker at JP Morgan, he quickly earned his investment license and was later recruited to Morgan Stanley, where he advanced to an implementation specialist role. Despite his success, Mario encountered barriers tied to the paper ceiling—being steered away from certain advancement opportunities without a bachelor’s degree. Instead of staying limited, he made the decision to seek new paths, even turning down an offer from Goldman Sachs and launching his own edtech business to help others access alternative routes to success.

Mario’s breakthrough came from learning how to stand out in a “crowd of diplomas” by demonstrating real results, growth, and capability. His ability to build relationships, scale operations, and lead teams became his strongest assets—skills developed through hands-on experience across industries. Today, his journey reflects the resilience and ambition of the STAR community. His advice to others is simple but powerful: keep learning, go beyond what’s expected, and find ways to create value—because skills, not credentials, define what’s possible.

Brandon is a technical professional based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, building a career focused on solving real-world problems and continuing to grow in the tech space. His journey into the industry wasn’t traditional, but today he’s thriving in a role where his skills, adaptability, and determination are at the center of his success. As a STAR, Brandon represents the power of nontraditional pathways and the impact of community-driven opportunity.

Before transitioning into tech, Brandon’s career spanned corrections, security, and education—fields that strengthened his discipline, communication, and ability to navigate complex environments. While he knew he wanted something different, he didn’t initially understand how to break into a new industry without a traditional background. Like many STARs, the path forward wasn’t clear, and the challenge of repositioning himself for a new career felt uncertain.

Everything changed when Brandon connected with local resources in Tulsa, including Retrain Tulsa. Through these programs, he gained not only technical skills, but also the confidence and guidance to translate his experience into new opportunities. That support helped him successfully transition into a technology career, where he continues to grow and make an impact. Brandon’s story is a powerful reminder that while workforce development is often discussed at a national level, it’s local organizations and communities that make career mobility possible.

Georgette is the Manager of STARs Engagement & Enablement at Opportunity@Work, where she helps uplift workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) by building pathways for visibility, confidence, and community. Her career has spanned industries—from accounting and healthcare to banking and utilities—and each role has strengthened her ability to connect with people, lead with empathy, and communicate with purpose. Today, she channels those same skills into empowering others to recognize their own value and navigate career growth with courage.

Georgette’s path wasn’t linear. As a parent balancing work and education, she often had to pause her college journey to prioritize family and financial stability. Despite excelling in every role she held, she was frequently passed over for advancement because she didn’t have a bachelor’s degree—a reality many STARs face under the “paper ceiling.” Those challenges, though difficult, taught her resilience and adaptability, shaping her understanding of the barriers that hold so many talented workers back.

Her breakthrough came when she decided to stop waiting for the “perfect opportunity” and instead take a chance on herself. That mindset shift opened new doors—to leadership, impact, and purpose. Now at Opportunity@Work, Georgette uses her lived experience to help other STARs see that their nontraditional paths are not limitations but their greatest strengths. Her message to others: “You are the blueprint for what is possible.”

Charmagne built her career through persistence, adaptability, and a deep belief in learning by doing. Today, as Senior Manager of Member Experience at Opportunity@Work, she helps shape programs that connect people and partners with the resources they need to advance skills-first hiring nationwide.

Her path began in retail, where she honed her problem-solving and relationship-building skills. When she transitioned into tech during the early startup boom, she discovered how her curiosity and drive could open doors — even without a degree. That first customer support role was life-changing: it introduced her to project management, cross-functional collaboration, and the power of delivering exceptional experiences. Over time, she earned certifications in Customer Success Management and Data Analytics, complementing what she had already mastered on the job. Yet, Charmagne also faced the “paper ceiling.” Despite her proven skills, she was once turned away from a People Operations role simply because she didn’t have a bachelor’s degree — a moment that reinforced how talent can be overlooked when systems prioritize credentials over capability.

Charmagne’s advice to other STARs is clear: “Never stop advocating for yourself. Don’t let a résumé tell an incomplete story about what you can do.” She believes that challenging narrow definitions of talent — and supporting one another along the way — can help transform workplaces for the better. Her journey is proof that when opportunity meets determination, skills can shine brighter than any degree.

Kelly built her marketing career by following her curiosity and commitment to impact — not a traditional degree path. Today, as a Senior Associate of Marketing at Opportunity@Work, she helps design campaigns that highlight the power of skills-based hiring and the stories of workers like her: STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes).

Before stepping into her current role, Kelly’s journey took her across the nonprofit and education sectors, where she learned to use storytelling and digital marketing to connect people with opportunity. Without a four-year degree, she often encountered the “paper ceiling” — job postings that automatically required credentials she didn’t have. Instead of giving up, she leaned into learning by doing: taking on stretch assignments, mastering digital tools, and seeking mentors who helped her grow from a project executor into a strategic marketing partner. One breakthrough moment came when she led her team’s quarterly and half-year planning process — a chance to shape big-picture strategy and see the value of her ideas take flight.

Kelly believes that skills, drive, and adaptability can open doors that degrees can’t. Her advice to other STARs: “Don’t let a degree requirement define your potential — your work, your results, and your persistence tell your story.” Kelly’s journey reminds us that success doesn’t always follow a traditional path — but with curiosity and courage, it can still lead to a powerful impact.

After graduating high school and serving in the United States Navy for six years, Cale joined a building controls company as a service technician. “I was a young sailor, pretty raw, pretty unprofessional, didn't have those customer service skills, didn't have a lot of knowledge on what even HVAC was,” he says. Experienced technicians showed him the way. “They made sure I learned everything I needed to know- how to talk to customers, how to carry myself on the job site, how systems worked."

Cale has since gained 25 years of HVAC experience, including three promotions since he joined Trane Technologies four years ago. Cale is a passionate advocate for skills-based hiring and development. “You're talking to someone without a degree who's worked their way through the Trane Technologies organization fairly quickly, and I know several others here without degrees who have done the same,” he shares.

“There are lots of opportunities here to learn from great people. I think the cool thing about our senior technician population is that they're all STARs. And through the Trane apprenticeship program, they’re helping to make more STARs successful too.”

For Jon, pursuing a college degree after high school wasn't an option. “When I was 16, I had to leave home,” he recalls. “I was working two jobs to support myself and had to grow up really fast.” Those early years of balancing responsibilities taught Jon resilience, adaptability and a drive to succeed.

He soon became a commission-based electronics and appliances salesperson. When the company cut commissions, he moved to managing a retail gaming store, then an office-supply store and eventually management-level jobs at an electronic cigarette manufacturer, with each step bringing new challenges and growth.

A contract opportunity as a pension analyst at Trane Technologies proved to be a turning point. Jon’s strong analytical skills and problem-solving mindset quickly stood out, leading to a full-time role. Within two years, he was promoted to a learning systems analyst. “My experience at Trane Technologies has been life-changing,” he says. “There’s a lot of transparency here about our purpose and who we are, and it’s inspiring to be part of it.”

Jon’s advice to others forging nontraditional paths is simple: “Don’t be afraid to be yourself, regardless of your qualifications. You may have more barriers, but you’ll knock them down and come out better and stronger on the other side.”

“Don’t be afraid to learn something new,” advises Alisha. With 20 years of pension industry experience, she recently embraced the opportunity to move to a compensation role within Trane Technologies Total Rewards team where she serves as a compensation analyst. “I went from working in an area where everything was black and white to something that can be very nuanced, she said. “Every day presents a different challenge that I enjoy.”

Alisha’s willingness to welcome new opportunities has been evident throughout her career. She started her career as an electronics engineer, then worked in human resources benefits, responding to retirees’ pension questions. She soon learned how to personally complete the pension calculations retirees needed. “Although it was outside my job scope, I wanted to be able to provide this data quickly to callers,” she said. Her strong capabilities landed her a pension analyst role at Trane Technologies, followed by different roles within the human resources function, each expanding on her skills and expertise. She has achieved this with a two-year degree, often outpacing those with more schooling. “When you just look at whether someone just has a four-year degree, I think you can miss out on candidates who have great talent,” she said.

Shanel has always been creative and she especially loves to bake. When she was a young child, Shanel spent many hours in the kitchen with her grandmother. She says, “I used to bake with her when I was little. I was more into decorating dessert. I was maybe six or seven when I started”.

After high school, Shanel enrolled in a local arts education school to pursue training in baking and pastry arts. Shanel now works at a bakery. Though she’s been there for a while, she can easily recall her unique interview process. While preparing for her initial interview, Shanel took to heart advice she had received from a mentor years before; “If you’re going in on an interview, show up as if they will hire you right now, like you’re ready to work”. And that is exactly what she did.

Shanel arrived at the bakery for a part-time baker role in her chef’s clothes and ready to bake. She was offered an interview on the spot and was asked to demonstrate her baking ability. Shanel chose to make brownies from the house menu. Despite her nerves, she focused on the task, asked questions every step of the way, and impressed her interviewer with the quality of her brownies. Shanel believes her calm demeanor and ease in the kitchen helped her to secure the role.

The bakery where Shanel works employs veterans, military spouses and caregivers, with a mission of teaching entrepreneurship and wellness while creating a supportive community. Shanel quickly realized this was a place she would like to grow her career. When she observed turnover among front of house staff, Shanel proposed a new position that incorporated job responsibilities from several roles. The bakery’s management approved the position and Shanel stepped into it. Shanel is now General Bakery Manager, managing catering, baking and teaching others the skills of the trade.

Mark began his journalism career at 18, four years earlier than planned. Two weeks into his first semester, he realized that full-time school and a full-time job were more than he could manage. He withdrew from school with the intention of saving enough money to return the following year. Instead, he landed an entry-level position at the local flagship newspaper, and never looked back.  “The ‘couple of semesters’ I took off have lasted about 40 years,” he says.

Embarrassment over his lack of a college degree has given way to gratitude. Mark says that although he didn’t realize it at the time, learning his trade from practitioners was a blessing.  “Newspapers were very profitable in the 1980s and 1990s, with large staffs that passed institutional knowledge down from one generation of reporters and editors to the next,” he said. “All of my training was and continues to be on-the-job. My ‘professors’ were colleagues who mentored me, and bosses who challenged me.”

Mark’s career trajectory took him from newsroom clerk to TV columnist and eventually into management – as a features editor, managing editor, and after 32 years at the paper, its Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Content, overseeing the paper’s transition to digital. After the sale of the paper, Mark transitioned to a journalism-adjacent position leading the communications team at the state department of economic development. He sees his new career as a natural – and necessary – extension of his prior one. “I’m responsible for telling the story of our state’s economic performance and potential to a variety of audiences – from CEOs and business relocation advisors to residents and elected officials,” he says. “The goal is the same as it was in the newsroom: to be accurate, engaging, timely and present wherever people seek information.”

Mark explains that the digital disruption of the local newspaper business requires new ways of communicating. He wants to build a new model for communications and marketing operations with integrated content, creative, digital and marketing teams. For this he wants highly collaborative workers who are natural internal and external relationship builders. He sees STARs as key to this strategy. “It’s impossible to be an effective communicator in the digital era without having exceptional soft skills – stuff you can’t learn from a textbook,” he says. “I’ll make sure the door stays open for STAR storytellers who, like me, chose self-education over college graduation.”

Sheronda is a shining STAR in the public sector. As a leader in the Office of Procurement in a county government, she has responsibility for all internal functions for county contracts – executing, administering and monitoring compliance. The job requires skills and knowledge in IT, budgeting, customer service, and navigating complex procedures. Sheronda loves this role because she gets to advise small businesses – especially women and minority owned businesses – and open opportunities they might not otherwise be able to access.

Sheronda did not grow up dreaming of a career in procurement. She started out in college, planning to become a neurosurgeon. But, when she had a baby, she put her dreams on hold to provide for her young son. One job led to another and she never did get back to college and medical school. But, along the way, she developed tremendous skills in IT. Sheronda built over 80 applications to improve operations in her county government. With her expertise has come recognition and leadership opportunities. In addition to procurement responsibilities, she serves on committees and mentors her staff. She is particularly supportive of STARs, like her. “I want to find the next STAR leader”, she says.

Midway through a rewarding career that has seen many twists and turns, Sheronda is not remotely done. “I still think about medical school,” she says, “and my family is encouraging me to pursue my artistic passions too. I really don’t know what comes next, but I know from experience that anything is possible.”

Darryl had a bright future ahead of him: he was a straight-A student throughout high school, loved to play sports, and had a budding interest in wiring and lights. He hoped to become an electrical engineer one day. Things took a sudden turn when his mother and stepfather went through a tough divorce, and his stepfather lost his job. He found himself the primary adult caring for his family. Keeping his family housed, fed, and clothed, with sufficient funds for laundry, gas, bus fare, and other essentials proved overwhelming. Darryl took a risk, selling drugs, and was caught and incarcerated.

Finding a job once he was released from prison was difficult because nearly every employer required background checks. Although he was still passionate about electrical engineering, he decided it wasn’t the time to try to pursue that goal. “I could barely get a job at UPS, so I definitely didn’t feel like I was going to get the opportunity to draw up blueprints.”

Over the next few years, Darryl worked at a warehouse and an event design firm until he joined a Second Chance program and began working in sanitation. He credits the program’s holistic approach with building his self-esteem and getting back on his feet. Darryl now works as a Sanitation Supervisor for the city but still thinks about electrical engineering and going back to school.

Jay was inspired by their childhood experiences to pursue a career that would help other people. Among the roles they considered were guardian ad litem, building mobility robots, and working as a psychologist. Jay followed in their mother and grandmother’s footsteps to college but did not complete the degree – they felt they were learning how to pass tests instead of genuinely learning.

A period of incarceration set Jay back in their career goals. It took them a year after release to find a job due to background checks, a practice Jay questions. “It’s not a fair thing – when you get home you’re supposed to have served your debt to society… but your punishment actually starts when you get home.”

Still, they persevered with support from their mother, participating in training programs, building up their network, and eventually starting a business. Less than two years after their release, they have a house and a car. They work two jobs to make ends meet but they find them both rewarding. One is for a workforce development program and the other for a non-profit connecting people to BIPOC therapists, fulfilling their childhood goal of helping people.

When he was released from prison, Lawrence started and quickly excelled at a transitional job program called Clean Slate that focused on litter abatement. One day, he struck up a conversation with a man who had been watching him work. Unbeknownst to Lawrence, the man was the CEO of a company, and, impressed by his work ethic, asked him to interview for positions at his company. He hired Lawrence as an Assistant Facilities Manager.

Though Lawrence felt inexperienced with aspects of the work, he committed to learning and picked up a variety of skills on the job. He became an expert in facilities management, learning by troubleshooting plumbing, floor care, painting, and electrical problems. Lawrence took these skills with him to a new facilities management job and continues to learn every day.

Lawrence credits the transitional job program for helping him through difficult times, explaining that they provided financial, housing, and transportation support to help him get on his feet. He is determined to do well in his career and is passionate about facilities management.  “I really care about the work that I do – if I ride down the street, and there’s paper in the street, I’ll pull over and pick it up. If I come outside and see cigarette butts or something on the ground, I’ll stop and pick them up.”

Sheree always knew she wanted to teach. But after high school, she was encouraged to pursue a more financially secure path, setting her on a career journey that took her through insurance, social services, workforce development, and technology before ultimately bringing her back to education. Today, Sheree is an educator and student support administrator in Oakland, California, where she helps students see possibilities for their futures while creating spaces where they feel supported, challenged, and valued.

Along the way, Sheree built her career through alternative routes—community college coursework, professional certifications, on-the-job learning, and years of hands-on experience. She earned licenses in insurance, became a subject matter expert in county government, led process improvements that strengthened workforce programs, and later trained as a Salesforce Administrator. Yet despite her accomplishments, she repeatedly encountered the paper ceiling. In one pivotal moment, she was passed over for a promotion she was qualified for because she did not have a bachelor’s degree. Rather than letting those barriers define her, Sheree continued investing in her skills and seeking opportunities to grow.

Her breakthrough came when she accepted a role supporting students at a local high school, reconnecting with the purpose that had inspired her from the beginning. She later earned a Career Technical Education credential and became a classroom teacher, drawing on the diverse experiences she gained across every stage of her career. Today, Sheree helps young people recognize their own strengths and potential while advocating for a future where skills and experience matter as much as credentials. As she puts it, “There is no such thing as wasted experience—every step builds the skills, perspective, and resilience needed for what comes next.”

Ansaer was accepted to a top-tier university, but when he recognized the stress that the tuition costs would place on his family, he decided to find another way.  He started working and began taking classes at the local community college.  This approach proved challenging.  Working three jobs while going to school made for a round-the-clock schedule. One night, driving from his overnight job to his day job, he got vertigo and nearly crashed his car. He knew he had to make a change and decided to join the U.S. Navy.

When he completed his service, Ansaer enrolled in YearUp, a tuition-free job training program, to hone his technical skills and connect to employment opportunities. He woke up every day excited for training. Personal circumstances caused him to leave the program for a year but he persevered and re-enrolled.  He credits family and friends for supporting him through that period and the coaches at YearUp for encouraging him to stay the course.

Upon graduation from YearUp, Ansaer started an internship as a QA Engineer at a large tech company.  Industry layoffs disrupted his plan to transition to a full-time role, so he is looking for another job and contemplating a second stint in the military. He knows that across his experiences, from his early entry-level jobs, his experience in the military, YearUp and his internship, he has cultivated a broad set of skills and capabilities but that finding job security is still a challenge. He believes he may have to put his passions aside for the time being to support himself. “Adversity feels like home”, he reflects, as he looks at the road ahead.