The Way to College Podcast

What happens when the career you thought you wanted turns out not to be the career for you?
In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I reconnect with my former Stanford classmate Cathy Ogawa, whose journey is proof that there is no single “right” path to a meaningful career.
Cathy entered college thinking she would become a pediatrician. When that path didn’t work out, she explored everything from computer science and Japanese to economics.
Eventually, she found her way back to something she had known about herself since childhood: she was good at working with young people, and she loved doing it.
Today, Cathy serves as a school-based director with Big Brothers Big Sisters, supporting mentoring programs for young people across Hawaii. Along the way, she has worked in early childhood education, school administration, accreditation, nonprofit leadership, and youth development.
We talk about:
🎓 Feeling lost in college, even at a place like Stanford
💰 The danger of choosing a career based only on money
🔄 Giving yourself permission to pivot
🤝 Why relationships and mentors matter
🧠 Navigating imposter syndrome
❤️ Finding work that is meaningful and “filling your cup”
🛤️ Why a circuitous career path can still lead somewhere extraordinary
Cathy’s message is especially important for students and young professionals who feel pressure to have everything figured out:
Your path does not have to be a straight line, and that’s okay.
Listen, follow The Way to College Podcast, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to keep exploring.

On this special episode of The Way to College Podcast, Aimee Nunez walks us through the CommonApp. She discusses some of the newer features of the CommonApp platform and some of the myths and misconceptions that inform how students approach the CommonApp. Join us as we unpack the CommonApp. #commonapp #collegeapps #collegesuccess #senioryear

Sometimes the most important lessons we learn don't happen in a classroom. On this week's episode of The Way to College Podcast, my guest is Sean Phelps. Sean is the President of College Works Painting, and he offers some valuable advice for current college students.
Sean shares how growing up with hardworking parents, taking on jobs at a young age, and seeking out opportunities early helped shape his college and career path. Today, he helps college students build real-world skills by teaching them how to run their own painting business, from sales and customer service to hiring, budgeting, leadership, and problem-solving.
This conversation is a must-listen for students and parents who want young people to understand one simple truth: don’t wait until graduation to start building experience.
If you’re a student trying to figure out your next step, or a parent wondering how to help your child prepare for life after college, this episode offers practical advice, honest reflection, and a powerful reminder that work experience can build confidence, direction, and opportunity.
Listen now and share this episode with a student who needs to hear it.

Sean's Links:www.collegeworks.com - for internships or summer jobs with college works
https://www.kaceai.tools/ - for students wanting career help using ai tools (built by sean)
www.seanpatrickphelps.com - to sign up for Sean's newsletter
www.linkedin.com/in/sean-phelps-2754782 - for Sean's LinkedIn

Everybody talks about college.
Not enough people talk about skills.
In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I sit down with Mr. James Love, welding program director at Galveston College, and his story is exactly what students need to hear right now.
James didn’t follow a perfect path. He made mistakes. He hit a roadblock. His original dream of working in pharmacy got shut down. But instead of letting that moment define him, he found another lane.
That lane was welding.
And it changed everything.
James went from learning in the field, working in shipyards, and building a career with his hands to now leading one of the fastest-growing welding pathways for students in Galveston. Today, he’s helping young people earn college credit, gain real skills, and step into careers that can change their lives.
This episode is about more than welding.
It’s about second chances.
It’s about work ethic.
It’s about not quitting when life redirects you.
And it’s about recognizing that success does not have to look the same for everybody.
Students, parents, educators, counselors, this one matters.
Listen now to hear how James Love turned a setback into a pathway and how he’s helping students build futures they can be proud of.
Check it out now, and if this episode resonates with you or you think others NEED to hear it, share it.

What if your career is not supposed to be a straight line? If you're a regular listener of The Way to College Podcast, then you know that one's career is rarely a straight line. This is never more true than on the latest episode.
In this episode, Dr. Jose Saldivar talks with Kate Crane, founder of Direction Over Perfection, about why careers are more like jungle gyms than ladders.
Kate shares her journey from studying art history and business at UT Austin to working in the New York art world, navigating a layoff during the 2008 recession, exploring restaurant work, earning an MBA, moving into management consulting, and eventually building a career across DoorDash, Flock Safety, OpenTable, and career coaching.
Her story is a powerful reminder for students and young professionals: you do not need to make a perfect decision. You need to keep moving, stay curious, ask good questions, and learn from every experience.
This conversation is especially valuable for students thinking about majors, careers, internships, networking, and life after college.
Kate’s message is clear: you are the best advocate for your life and your career.
Listen now for an honest, practical, and encouraging conversation about building a career with direction, confidence, and flexibility.