The Way to College Podcast

What happens when the path you chose no longer fits? Andrea Sotomayor shares her journey from pre-med student to entrepreneur, strategist, and founder, with honest lessons on failure, resilience, and self-awareness. This episode is for students and professionals learning that success is rarely a straight line.

Dr. Fred Fuentes joins The Way to College Podcast to share a powerful story of growth, resilience, and purpose. From being told he was not “college material” to serving in the military, earning multiple degrees, and dedicating his life to mentoring others, Dr. Fuentes reflects on what it means to take ownership of your journey.
In this episode, we talk about first-generation experiences, mental health, mentorship, legacy, and the importance of believing in yourself even when the path is unclear.
Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation that will resonate with students, educators, counselors, and anyone navigating their own next step.

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with Kayla Mendez, a climbing arborist and business owner based in San Antonio, Texas. Kayla shares how an unexpected entrepreneurship class during her final semester of college helped shift how she saw her future and opened her mind to building something of her own.
Their conversation explores uncertainty, entrepreneurship, comparison, persistence, and the pressure young people feel to have everything figured out early. Kayla speaks honestly about choosing an unconventional path, building a business through setbacks, and learning to follow curiosity rather than other people’s expectations.
This episode is a powerful reminder that success does not always follow a straight line — and that sometimes the most unexpected opportunities can shape your future in the biggest ways.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why you do not have to have your life figured out at 18
How unexpected opportunities can lead to meaningful work
The realities of entrepreneurship and starting from scratch
Why curiosity, openness, and persistence matter
What students can learn from unconventional career journeys

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with licensed funeral director and embalmer Arielle Caraveo. We talk resilience, reinvention, and pivoting when life does not go according to plan. From academic probation at UT Austin to launching her own funeral home and founding a nonprofit inspired by her own traumatic birth experience, Arielle shares a story marked by courage, faith, and perseverance.
Throughout the conversation, Arielle reflects on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, grief, motherhood, and the power of pivoting without losing sight of your purpose. This episode is for anyone navigating setbacks, chasing a dream, or trying to build a meaningful life despite unexpected challenges.

In the second part of my conversation with @KenMillerSpeaks is a practical masterclass on mentorship, boundaries, and life skills.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why mentorship matters (and what a real mentor actually does)

The 4 life skills Ken believes college students should build:
Self-audit/self-reflection

Learning how to ask for help and opportunities

Public speaking and confidence

Learning how to say no (boundaries = leadership)

How overload and overcommitting can quietly derail your purpose

Ken’s guiding principle: “Seek truth… then do the next indicated correct thing.”

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this episode will help you get clear and take the next step.
🎧 Follow The Way to College Podcast for more honest conversations and practical tools for college, career, and life.