The Way to College Podcast

Building Skills with College Works Painting's Sean Phelps

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 [http://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 [http://www.seanpatrickphelps.com/] - to sign up for Sean's newsletter www.linkedin.com/in/sean-phelps-2754782 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-phelps-2754782] - for Sean's LinkedIn

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.

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.

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/ [https://innovativecollegiateconsultants.com/summer-programs-services/]

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.