When we help students visualize the future, we open them up to a world of possibilities. More than ever, students need opportunities to interact with our rich and diverse business community and connect their passions, skills, and studies to real career pathways.
Career Conversations, presented by our Partners in Education, connects employers and students digitally through a new and growing online library of video interviews with professionals from a variety of jobs and industries.
Students
What do you want to see featured in Career Conversations? Let us know!
Career Conversations are grouped by occupation below. Click to view full playlist on YouTube.
MANUFACTURING
LUIS DURANI
ENGINEERING MANAGER, COLLINS AEROSPACE
Do you like a challenge? Luis says engineering may be the right fit for you then. Like other Career Conversation hosts, Luis also mentions that an internship was pivotal for his career and education. Check out his video and find out how many master’s degrees he has!
INSURANCE
STACI HOWELL
INSURANCE AGENT, STATE FARM
Staci thought she was on the path to athletic training when she learned needles and blood were not for her. An internship and an experienced mentor were instrumental components of her career journey. Find out how she shifted to eventually earning an MBA and setting up a thriving State Farm agency in Waxhaw.
MEDICAL
HOLLI BREEDEN
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, ATRIUM HEALTH UNION
Holli grew up with a mom who was a nurse so she felt comfortable in the healthcare setting. In her words “we are always going to need healthcare so I decided this would be a stable career.” Watch to find out how she found her niche within healthcare and faced ups and downs.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
BRET ALEXANDER
FINANCIAL ADVISOR, MASS MUTUAL
How do you go from Criminal Justice and Prison Program Director to Financial Advisor? Hard work, studying and getting up at 4 am is the answer! Bret took his passion for building relationships and helping people into an arena where he could also operate like a small business owner.
ENTREPRENEUR
MICHAEL REDDINGTON
PRESIDENT, INQUASIVE
Special Education Teacher and Baseball Coach were his future plans until he ended up in a career he didn’t know existed. He chased opportunities he was blessed to be given and he reminds students to never forget who helped you get here.
MORTGAGE INDUSTRY
TONY GARSHNICK
ATLANTIC BAY MORTGAGE
Tony believes in going above and beyond expectations no matter what job you are doing. In high school, he thought he wanted to be a Park Ranger and then later he considered being an Orthodontist. With the help of a coach, he finally landed on the finance industry. Find out how this Cuthbertson High alumni parent got there!
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
BRUCE GRESHAM
SENIOR STRATEGIC ADVISOR, APPLIED VISION WORKS
From sports writer to corporate business leader and relationship builder because of the invitation of a family friend. Can you imagine being in charge of 1000 people and a 400 million dollar budget? Bruce can! Watch to find out what he does now.
BANKING
DEREK SKINNER
MARKET PRESIDENT, TRUIST
Can a biology major become a banker? Derek Skinner would say yes! A breakfast interview with a leader at BB&T led to Derek spending six months in their Leadership Development Program and changing the trajectory of his career.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
JEWEL WIESINGER
CENTER DIRECTOR, HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER WEDDINGTON
Our favorite lines from her Career Conversation: “I’m not where I thought I would be, but it can’t get any better!” and “Just when you think things aren’t going your way you become an Alternate!”
HUMAN RESOURCES
LINDA COSTA
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER, AMERICAN BANK
“If an opportunity presents itself you may want to try it! I didn’t decide initially on Human Resources, but it does suit me. I’m at American Bank because of two words…company culture! I wanted to work for a place that I loved, that I believed in and that I could help grow.”
REAL ESTATE
MYRON WILLIAMS
OWNER, MYRON WILLIAMS REAL ESTATE
“I’ve been in real estate for 32 years and I’m a product of Union County Public Schools—Wingate Elementary, East Union Middle, and Forest Hills High. I started out thinking I might want to go into politics and worked on President Reagan’s Campaign. But I enjoy real estate and love helping people realize their dreams!”
MARKETING AND SALES
LISA THOMAS
NC ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE, SCHOLASTIC
Sun Valley High School Alum Lisa Thomas, thought she wanted to be Barbara Walters! She switched majors, switched colleges, and landed very close to home. Watch to find out where!
LAW
ELLIE BRAGG
PARTNER, LEITNER, BRAGG & GRIFFIN
After her dad said, “Don’t go into law” she tried her hand in the medical field, but the verdict was becoming an attorney. Monroe High alum, Ellie Bragg talks about coming back home to help the people in her community.
TECHNOLOGY
ADAM WEHLER
DIRECTOR OF PRACTICE TECHNOLOGY, ROBINSON BRADSHAW
Adam encourages young people to embrace chaos! In other words, don’t be afraid of career paths that change and change and change! As the Director of Practice Technology Adam helps Robinson Bradshaw have the best tools possible to support the work of the attorneys.
BANKING
AMANDA CAMERON
VICE-PRESIDENT, FIRST CITIZENS
Parkwood High Alum, Amanda Cameron, helps businesses have all the banking tools they need to run successfully. Her passion for learning and her drive to be better took her from full-time at a grocery store to bank Vice President!
ENTREPRENEUR
KELLY BARNHARDT
OWNER, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS STRATEGIES
Kelly calls herself as a “Solopreneur” as the owner of College Admissions Strategies. She shares that students shouldn’t worry if their path isn’t straight and narrow and she highly suggests having a job in high school. Learning to communicate with all types of people is a must-have skill in Kelly’s book.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
RICK CROFFUT
FINANCIAL ADVISOR, EDWARD JONES
Rick has a background in education and decided to educate people through financial advising. He loves the autonomy of his career path and the freedom to volunteer in the community. He also loves helping people fulfill their dreams for the future!
