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The Way to College Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jose L. Saldivar
The Way to College Podcast examines the multiple roads we take to get to college and beyond. Guests share their individual stories of success, failure, and what they did to push forward to find success.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago31 min
Building Skills and Building Dreams with Galveston College's, James Love
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.
- 3 weeks ago1h 0m
The Career Jungle Gym with Kate Crane
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.
- Apr 30, 202633 min
Supporting Neurodivergent Learners
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/
- Apr 22, 202650 min
From Pre-Med to Corporate Strategist to Entrepreneur with Andrea Sotomayor
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.
- Apr 9, 202654 min
What Students Need with Dr. Fred Fuentes
Dr. Fred Fuentes joins The Way to College Podcast to share a powerful story of growth, resilience, and purpose. From being told he was not “college material” to serving in the military, earning multiple degrees, and dedicating his life to mentoring others, Dr. Fuentes reflects on what it means to take ownership of your journey. In this episode, we talk about first-generation experiences, mental health, mentorship, legacy, and the importance of believing in yourself even when the path is unclear.Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation that will resonate with students, educators, counselors, and anyone navigating their own next step.
- Mar 30, 202641 min
Climbing Your Way Through the Trees, Literally, with Climbing Arborist, Kayla Mendez
In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with Kayla Mendez, a climbing arborist and business owner based in San Antonio, Texas. Kayla shares how an unexpected entrepreneurship class during her final semester of college helped shift how she saw her future and opened her mind to building something of her own.Their conversation explores uncertainty, entrepreneurship, comparison, persistence, and the pressure young people feel to have everything figured out early. Kayla speaks honestly about choosing an unconventional path, building a business through setbacks, and learning to follow curiosity rather than other people’s expectations.This episode is a powerful reminder that success does not always follow a straight line — and that sometimes the most unexpected opportunities can shape your future in the biggest ways.In this episode, we discuss:Why you do not have to have your life figured out at 18How unexpected opportunities can lead to meaningful workThe realities of entrepreneurship and starting from scratchWhy curiosity, openness, and persistence matterWhat students can learn from unconventional career journeys
- Mar 24, 202654 min
Pivoting with Funeral Director, Arielle Caraveo
In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with licensed funeral director and embalmer Arielle Caraveo. We talk resilience, reinvention, and pivoting when life does not go according to plan. From academic probation at UT Austin to launching her own funeral home and founding a nonprofit inspired by her own traumatic birth experience, Arielle shares a story marked by courage, faith, and perseverance. Throughout the conversation, Arielle reflects on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, grief, motherhood, and the power of pivoting without losing sight of your purpose. This episode is for anyone navigating setbacks, chasing a dream, or trying to build a meaningful life despite unexpected challenges.
- Mar 9, 202634 min
The Power of Mentorship with Speaker and Author, Ken Miller
In the second part of my conversation with @KenMillerSpeaks is a practical masterclass on mentorship, boundaries, and life skills. In this episode, we talk about:Why mentorship matters (and what a real mentor actually does)The 4 life skills Ken believes college students should build:Self-audit/self-reflectionLearning how to ask for help and opportunitiesPublic speaking and confidenceLearning how to say no (boundaries = leadership)How overload and overcommitting can quietly derail your purposeKen’s guiding principle: “Seek truth… then do the next indicated correct thing.”If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this episode will help you get clear and take the next step.🎧 Follow The Way to College Podcast for more honest conversations and practical tools for college, career, and life.
About The Way to College Podcast
The Way to College Podcast examines the multiple roads we take to get to college and beyond. Guests share their individual stories of success, failure, and what they did to push forward to find success.
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