From Here to Career

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In Ohio and nationally, there’s a mismatch between in-demand jobs and workers trained to fill them.

By the year 2025, 60 percent of Americans will need credentials beyond a high school diploma – whether a college degree or high-skills training, according to Lumina Foundation's 2019 Strong Nation report. However, the report found fewer than 45 percent of Ohioans have the right kind of training to fill them.

From Here to Career is a series of videos produced by Ohio American Graduate Getting to Work public media stations (ideastream, CET, and WOSU). The series is designed for young adults who are unemployed or underemployed and to inspire and inform about resources available to build careers in in-demand workforce areas.

In the From Here to Career video series, we hear from young people who have found a path to an in-demand career and their stories of how they got there. Each episode is uniquely told demonstrating the various ways to gain skill training toward employment or better employment.

Liz Duncan, Paramedic

Early on, Liz discovered her passion for paramedics, but felt pressure to pursue a four-year degree, until a fateful event in class brought her back to the career she loves. Learn how Liz stayed focused on her path to becoming a paramedic.

Brian Sabo, Control Panel Specialist

Brian Sabo doesn’t deny he made good money as a bouncer and DJ, but he couldn’t say he was proud of his work. He wished for more normal work hours so he could spend time with his family, specifically his young nephew. Learn how Brian changed his career path to become a Control Panel Specialist and can now spend more time with family.

Ashleigh Rea, Sterile Processing Technologist

Ashleigh Rea struggled to find a job that was fulfilling and could pay off her student loans. She spent years as a nanny and then in food service before deciding she needed to make a change. Learn of her path to becoming a sterile processing technologist.

Rebecca Lewis, Drywall Specialist

Rebecca Lewis believes that “wanting more is ok, but working for it is better .” As a drywall specialist for residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects she is proud of her work and is no longer losing time in her life wanting more—she’s working for it.

Jammes Luckett, IT Instructor

Jammes recently completed a technology certificate program and found her dream job teaching others about technology after many doors were closing. Learn how she earned a certificate from Per Scholas helping her breakthrough to gainful employment in the tech industry.

Kait Matthey, Software Engineer

College and a career in media/design was originally the dream for Kait Matthey, but medical ailments would throw her off-course not once, but twice. Through perseverance and a smart pivot to IT, a tech bootcamp, and a program called Apprenti, Kait has been able to find a career that may just take her further then she ever imagined.

Chris Garrett, Automation Technician

After he made the "short-sighted" decision to drop out of high school, Chris Garrett worked in the food services industry for over a decade, eventually ending up scraping by working two jobs as a food delivery driver. But, after his daughter was born, he was determined to set an example. Learn how Chris did this.

More resources may be found here from ideastream's American Graduate Getting to Work initiative.

Harry Quiñones, Entrepreneur

In his pursuit to find a career that doesn’t feel like work, Harry Quiñones dabbled in architecture and construction, even earning an NCCER certification as a student at Lakewood High School. But he discovered his passion for business at Cuyahoga Community College and opened 787 Market & Café, a colorful bodega in Old Brooklyn brimming with Puerto Rican goods.

Omayra Serrano, Direct to Supply Technician

After years of working in administrative assistant roles, Omayra realized she may have to look at other sectors to find a good career with growth potential that didn't require a 4-year college degree. Now, she's growing her experience in supply chain with Procter & Gamble and has a clearer vision for the future.