High School Pathfinder: For the Future You

Picking a career at 17 doesn't mean you're locked into one path for the rest of your life...it's really just about picking up solid skills and seeing where your curiosity takes you. In this episode of High School Pathfinder: For the Future You, I talk with Byron Headrick, the co-founder and CEO of LEAN Frog, who went from working on a farm to engineering Space Shuttle experiments, to transforming public education systems across the country. We break down how to figure out what you actually enjoy doing versus what you're just good at, how to pivot when your interests change, and why you can take a deep breath when it comes to picking a future path.

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How do you go from playing Division I college sports to becoming a Vice President on Wall Street?

In this episode of High School Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Kaitlyn Shanahan, a Vice President on the Delta One Structured Products Desk at Morgan Stanley and former Hofstra University D1 lacrosse player. After getting the opportunity to shadow Kaitlyn firsthand, Ayana dives into how Kaitlyn built her path into finance, how competing at a high level in college sports prepared her for corporate life, and what working in high-level finance actually looks like on a daily basis.

Kaitlyn breaks down complex Wall Street concepts into plain English and offers super practical, grounded advice for any high schooler looking to explore trading, banking, or corporate careers before college.

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What happens when you skip the traditional college route at 18, join the U.S. Navy, and end up working in cyber intelligence before competing on national television?

In this episode, I sit down with Umeko Peterson, who is a former U.S. Navy Operational and Cyber Intelligence Analyst and contestant on Million Dollar Secret. Umeko opens up about making a major decision at 18 while her peers headed off to college, what working in high-stakes military intelligence actually looks like, and how her strategic background helped her navigate the reality TV world.

She also shares the reality of stepping away from a seven-year military career to become a civilian college student, giving invaluable advice for any high schooler who feels terrified of making the "wrong" choice for their future.

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In this episode of High-School Pathfinder: For the Future You, I talk with Dr. Albert Bramante, a veteran entertainment talent agent, entrepreneur, and psychology professor, about navigating a completely unique and non-linear career path. With over two decades of experience securing major roles for actors across TV, film, and Broadway, Dr. Albert blends his insider knowledge of show business with his background in psychology to help people unlock their full potential.

We dive into the daily reality of being a talent agent, the turning point that took him from psychology books into the fast-paced world of entertainment, and the biggest business and entrepreneurial lessons he learned along the way. If you’re a high schooler feeling immense pressure to have your entire life figured out right now, this episode is for you!

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Are you terrified of picking a career path just for the money, only to end up stuck in a job that completely drains you? In this episode of High-School Pathfinder: For the Future You, I sit down with Mike Wysocki, who is a speaker, veteran of the tech sales industry, and the award-winning author of Careers By the People.

After spending 30 years chasing a paycheck in a role he found "dull and boring," Mike set out on a mission to find out if anyone actually enjoys their work. He interviewed over 100 professionals across dozens of industries—from CEOs to farmers—to uncover the real secret to career satisfaction. Whether you have your entire life planned out or have absolutely no clue what you want to do after graduation, Mike’s real-world insights will completely change how you look at your future.

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What are families actually getting wrong about the college admissions process? In this episode of High School Pathfinder: For the Future You, I talk with Reena Bhasin, a veteran high school teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience.

As both an AP teacher and a parent who has been through the college journey firsthand, Reena shares the honest truth about what it takes to stand out. We dive into how to build genuine relationships with your teachers for strong recommendation letters, the specific daily habits that help students thrive under pressure, and what it’s really like to pursue a career in education today!

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It’s easy to feel like you’re supposed to have everything figured out in high school, but most people don’t.

In this episode, I talk to Rohan Bhasin, who was in that exact position not too long ago and is now on the pre-med path after graduating from Cornell. We get into what that journey actually looked like for him...from choosing Biology & Society to getting involved in research and balancing everything without burning out.

We also talk about what working in a lab is really like, how to get started early, and what actually matters when you’re trying to figure out if medicine is right for you!

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Most students think of tech careers as working at big companies, but there’s an entire side of the field focused on solving real-world problems within government systems.

In this episode, I talk with Matthew Fein, a data scientist at Booz Allen, to break down what it actually means to work on federal projects. From using AI and data modeling to improve systems for agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, to balancing technical work with clear communication, Matthew shares what his day-to-day looks like and how he found his way into this space.

He also offers advice for students interested in data science or tech-focused careers but aren’t sure where to start!

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Most people think of doctors and nurses when they imagine working in healthcare, but there are many important roles behind the scenes that help the system run.

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Rachael Anzalone, an Insurance Coordinator at Jain Orthodontics, to talk about a career that many students may not even know exists. Rachael explains what her job actually looks like day-to-day, the skills needed to succeed in healthcare administration, and what she has learned from working closely with patients. She also shares advice for students who are interested in healthcare but may not want to pursue the path of becoming a doctor!

If you're curious about the many different ways you can make an impact in healthcare, this episode is for you!

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When most people hear “data science,” they think of coding and algorithms. But there’s an entire side of this field that connects directly to business strategy and major decisions.

In this episode, I sit down with Suchi Shahani, a Data Scientist at Arrow Electronics, to talk about how she uses data in the Aerospace & Defense sector to influence high-stakes contract decisions. She shares what her day-to-day work actually looks like, how her background in electronics engineering shapes her approach, and what students should focus on if they’re interested in this field.

If you’re curious about careers in data science that go beyond just writing code, this episode gives you a real look at what’s possible!!

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Most of us spend so much time thinking about college and how to get hired, but we rarely hear from the people actually doing the hiring.

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Koletski, a recruiter at McMaster-Carr, and this conversation was packed with honest, practical insight. She breaks down what recruiting really looks like day-to-day, what stands out in candidates, and how to think strategically about your career--even in high school.

We also talk about her journey from studying psychology to working in customer-facing roles, transitioning into recruiting, and choosing to pursue her MBA at Emory University after gaining real-world experience.

If you want insight from someone who actually evaluates candidates for a living, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!! Be sure to download and share with friends!!!

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Dr. Payal Jain, an orthodontist with over 15 years of experience, to break down what this field is actually like behind the scenes. From choosing a career that involves looking into people’s mouths all day to running her very own practice, Dr. Jain shares the real story of how she found her path.

They talk about the long road to becoming an orthodontist, the parts of the job that might surprise you, and why orthodontics is as much about people as it is about science.

If you’re curious about healthcare, dentistry, or careers that combine technical skill with creativity and leadership, this episode is for you!

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In this milestone 20th episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana talks with Sirja Joeever, a Harvard freshman studying math and statistics, about navigating high school while exploring diverse passions. From competitive math and orchestra to founding Women on Wall Street, co-founding a nonprofit, tutoring, and becoming a nationally recognized ballet dancer, Sirja shares how she balanced her interests, made decisions, and discovered her direction.

We dive into how to prioritize what matters most, the challenges of leading clubs and initiatives, and advice for students who feel overwhelmed by the pressure to “do it all.” If you’re a high schooler trying to figure out how to explore your passions without burning out, this episode is for you!

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In this episode, Ayana talks with Dr. Sibel Ebru Yalcin, a biochemical physicist at Yale who works on one of the most interesting parts of science, which is building the microscopes and imaging systems that allow researchers to "see the invisible."

From Turkey to Los Alamos to Yale, Dr. Yalcin has followed her curiosity across the world, designing tools that help scientists study bacteria, proteins, and nanoscale structures in ways never before possible. She shares how she found her niche, why creating scientific instruments matters just as much as running experiments, and what young students should know if they’re curious about research but don’t know where to start!

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When most people think about dentists, they picture routine checkups or fixing cavities, but there’s so much more to the profession. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jasmeet Khurana of Hudson Family Dental to talk about what really goes into building a career in dentistry.

She shares her journey from studying dentistry in India to completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery at NYU, what a “day in the life” of a dentist actually looks like, and the challenges that shaped her along the way. If you’re a high schooler curious about dentistry, or just wondering how to start exploring healthcare careers, this one's for you!

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What does it really take to turn a startup idea into something big?

In this episode, Ayana sits down with Vinny Minhas, a growth and strategy leader who has helped multiple tech startups scale successfully find their edge, scale up, and thrive in competitive markets. They dive into how great companies grow, what true leadership looks like in fast-paced environments, and why confidence and curiosity are just as important as any business skill.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, or just how people make things happen, this one’s for you!

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In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana talks with Dr. Maithili Shenoy, a non-invasive cardiologist based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From studying medicine in Mumbai to practicing across the U.S., Dr. Shenoy shares her incredible journey through the world of cardiology — and the lessons she’s learned about adaptability, collaboration, and compassion along the way.

They discuss what it’s really like to be a cardiologist, how teamwork shapes patient care, and why staying curious and open-minded can take you further than any single plan ever could! If you’re interested in healthcare, medicine, or just figuring out how to turn curiosity into a career, this episode is definitely for you!

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Most of us have heard of dermatology, but what about dermatopathology? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Gauri Panse, a dermatopathologist and an Associate Professor at Yale, about what it’s really like to study diseases of the skin under a microscope.

Dr. Panse shares how she discovered this hidden side of medicine, what it takes to build a career in such a rare specialty, and why finding your niche can sometimes lead to the most rewarding paths! Whether you’re curious about medicine, research, or simply finding your own niche, this conversation is for you!

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In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, I’m joined by Anuj Shahani, who is a strategist who works behind the scenes with some of the world’s largest financial brands helping them grow, adapt, and lead in a fast-changing world. We dive into what it means to be a “coach” in business, how top performers handle pressure and change, and what it takes to build lasting success rather than just short-term wins. If you’re curious about tech, startups, leadership-or simply trying to figure out what you want to do- this conversation is for you!!

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What happens when you mix math, biology, and a curiosity about why we age? In this episode, I talk with Shagun Gupta, a Data Scientist at Calico Life Sciences, a biotech company studying the biology behind aging and age-related diseases.

Shagun shares how she discovered her niche at the crossroads of data and biology, what it’s really like to do a PhD, and why it’s okay if your academic journey doesn’t follow a straight line.

If you’ve ever been curious about research, biotech, or how data can unlock secrets of the human body, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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