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In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I talk with Dr. Eugene Manley Jr., scientist, engineer, nonprofit founder, consultant, and first-generation student advocate. Eugene shares his journey from growing up in Detroit to engineering school, cancer research, graduate education, and a career that has continued to evolve far beyond any single degree or job title. We discuss first-generation college experiences, the hidden curriculum, rejection, graduate school, career pivots, mentorship, neurodivergence, and why students need access not only to opportunities, but also to the unwritten information that helps them navigate those opportunities successfully. One of Eugene’s strongest messages is simple: Where you start is not where you will end. And sometimes the smartest thing you can do is find someone who knows what you don’t, and ask the question. At the end of the episode, Eugene reminds us to approach others with dignity and respect because we rarely know what someone else is carrying.

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I sit down with Pedro J. Rivera to talk about education, career transitions, resilience, and the importance of learning to advocate for yourself. Pedro shares how a professor first encouraged him to consider law school, how he navigated imposter syndrome and academic challenges, and how he later learned that doing good work is not always enough, you also have to make sure people know what you can do. We also discuss failure, including Pedro’s experience not passing the bar exam on his first attempt and the confidence he later drew from coming back and succeeding. Pedro’s advice to students and young professionals is simple: Apply. Ask. Speak up. Don’t let fear make the decision for you. And at the end of the episode, he leaves us with this challenge: “Be fearless about your life and your career.” Check out Pedro's work: https://pjrconsultingllc.com/ https://www.somoselpoder.org/

On this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I sit down with Eric Rath, founder and president of Rath Tutoring, to talk about curiosity, test-taking, asking for help, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. Eric has spent more than 20 years in tutoring and test prep, and one of the most common things students tell him is, “I’m not a good test taker.” His response is a reminder that many students were never taught how to perform well on tests and that there is a difference between knowing the material and knowing how to demonstrate that knowledge. We also talk about the power of asking questions. Eric credits much of his own success as an entrepreneur to being willing to admit what he didn’t know, find someone who did, and ask for help. His advice is simple: Be comfortable saying, “I don’t know.” In this conversation, we explore: Why asking for help is a strengthThe difference between knowledge and performanceWhat wrong answers can teach usHow curiosity shaped Eric’s educational journeyWhy tutoring should focus on the individual studentEntrepreneurship, ownership, and purposeWhy learning should never end when school doesEric also reminds us that college is not the finish line. It can be a jumping-off point for lifelong learning. Eric Rath 🎧 Listen now to this week’s episode of The Way to College Podcast.

Adam Sarancik has spent decades coaching and mentoring young athletes, but his work goes far beyond sports. Through Elevate Sports Academy, he helps students think critically about college, career, identity, and what comes next when athletics is no longer the center of their world. In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Adam shares his own journey through adversity, law, real estate, teaching, coaching, and mentoring, and explains why young people need to understand their gifts, interests, and purpose before simply following the path everyone expects of them. We talk about: Why identity can become too closely tied to one activityThe question, “Who am I beyond this?”Why students should reflect on their strengths and interestsThe importance of work ethic and independenceHow parents can help young people explore without over-directing themWhy college and career planning should begin with self-awarenessAdam’s question for every student: “What’s your why?” Adam’s message is especially powerful for student-athletes, but it applies to anyone entering a new chapter of life: You don’t have to abandon who you were, but you do need to give yourself room to discover who else you can become. 🎧 Listen now to this week’s episode of The Way to College Podcast and check out Adam's work: Coaching site: https://www.coachingchampionsforlife.com/ Adam's books: http://amazon.com/author/adamsarancik

What happens when the path you imagined for yourself turns out not to be your path at all? Laura Cortez grew up in San Benito, Texas, believing she might become a lawyer. Instead, her educational and professional journey took her from the Rio Grande Valley to Drake University, Spain, AmeriCorps, graduate school, a Ph.D. at UT Austin, community engagement, and eventually entrepreneurship. As Laura puts it, her story has had plenty of “windy roads.” In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Laura shares what it was like to leave South Texas for college, including the homesickness that almost led her to transfer after her first semester. She also explains how friendships, campus involvement, and finding a community helped her create a sense of belonging far from home. We also talk about changing majors, studying abroad, learning to advocate for yourself, listening to your gut, recognizing when it's time to change direction, and paying attention to the people who see possibilities in us that we may not yet see ourselves. Laura's journey is a powerful reminder that a closed door doesn't mean the journey is over. Sometimes you have to go looking for the next one. 🎧 Listen to Laura Cortez's story on this week's The Way to College Podcast.

Brian Eyster describes his professional journey as a “25-year internship.”It's a journey that has been filled with successes, failures, experimentation, and learning what he was good at. Today, Brian is helping families navigate one of their biggest financial challenges: paying for college. In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Brian and I cover everything from career exploration to allowing young people to fail safely, and why students shouldn't be expected to have everything figured out at 18 or 22. We also get into college planning and funding, including financial aid, FAFSA, college savings, and why families should ask better questions before making major financial decisions about college. Brian's final advice is one worth remembering: It's okay to ask for help. Whether you're a student trying to figure out what's next or a parent trying to figure out how to pay for it, there's something in this conversation for you. 🎧 Listen now to The Way to College Podcast.

In my conversation with Cesar Quezada, we discussed his experience as a first-generation college student and his remarkable academic turnaround, mentorship, career pivots, leaving his comfort zone, serving students, and learning to navigate uncertainty. We also talk about something especially close to the mission of The Way to College: the power of sharing our stories. Cesar eventually began speaking publicly about his own experiences so educators could better understand and support students. He then encouraged his students to share their stories at professional conferences as well. For Cesar, representation matters because hearing people's experiences can change how others think and act. If you know a student or an adult whose plans aren't working out the way they expected, share this episode.

What if you don’t know exactly what you want to do with your life? Rick Margo will tell you to keep going. Eventually you'll find out. In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Rick shares a career journey that was anything but perfectly planned. Growing up in Rio Grande City in a family with deep ties to Texas A&M, college was always an expectation, but Rick admits that even after arriving at A&M, he had no idea where his career would take him. From federal service to college recruitment, helping launch Texas A&M’s presence in McAllen, and now serving his community through Texas A&M Health, Rick’s story is a powerful reminder that careers aren’t always linear—and they don’t have to be. Along the way, we talk about: Why you don’t need to have your entire career mapped outThe value of internships and real-world experienceWhy attitude, customer service, and teamwork can matter as much as a 4.0 GPAHow your reputation can open—or close—future opportunitiesKnowing when it may be time to make a career changeWhy you should still give your best effort even when you’re ready to move onThe importance of relationships, trust, patience, and serviceRick also shares one of the lessons his father gave him growing up: “If you’re going to be a beach bum, be the best beach bum you can.” It’s funny—but the lesson is serious: whatever you choose to do, do it well, treat people well, and become the person others know they can count on. Whether you’re a student trying to choose a path, a recent graduate entering the workforce, or a professional wondering what comes next, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to know the final destination to keep building a meaningful life and career.

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.

What happens when a student realizes they are not “bad” at a subject, they just learn differently? In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose L. Saldivar speaks with Dr. Tara Williams, chemistry professor and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants, about her journey from struggling with math to earning a Ph.D. in chemistry and supporting neurodivergent students. Dr. Williams shares how one geometry lesson helped her understand the power of visual learning, why self-advocacy matters in college, and how students can use support services, accommodations, tutoring, and communication with professors to succeed. This conversation is a reminder that college success is not about doing everything alone. It is about learning how you learn, asking for help early, and finding the support that helps you move forward. To learn more about Dr. Williams' services, check out her website: https://innovativecollegiateconsultants.com/summer-programs-services/

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.