Justin Reyes on Purpose, Persistence, and Paying It Forward on The Way to College Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Justin Reyes—South Texas native, Texas A&M alum, and mission-driven professional—who shares his powerful journey from a small ranching town to leadership roles in national associations and professional networks.Justin opens up about:The influence of his hardworking motherNavigating imposter syndrome and academic probation in collegeHow getting involved transformed his college experienceThe unexpected career path that led him to Washington, D.C.His advice for first-year students and those applying to college nowWhether you’re a student, educator, or professional, this episode is a reminder that your path may not be linear—but it’s always yours to shape.🎧 Tune in and get inspired by Justin’s story of resilience, growth, and service.#TheWayToCollegePodcast #FirstGenVoices #CollegeSuccess #LatinoLeadership
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Pamela Maldonado: How a Poker Hobby Turned into an ESPN Career
Pamela Maldonado—sports betting analyst for ESPN and the Tennis Channel—joins The Way to College Podcast to share how she transformed curiosity, hustle, and self-taught skills into a national media career.We explore:Her bold move from Texas to Las Vegas with no planBreaking into media without a journalism degreeLessons from poker that apply to life and workHow she built a brand around analysis and storytellingThe power of leaning into what brings you joyPamela’s story is a reminder that success isn’t always planned—and that sometimes, taking a chance on yourself is the best bet you can make.
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From Wall Street to Ed Tech: The Way to College Podcast with Sam Bernstein
In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I sit down with Sam Bernstein, co-founder of Loper, a free mobile app designed to guide high school students through their college and career exploration journey.Sam shares how his professional journey started at a prestigious hedge fund in New York City. Feeling unfulfilled, Sam began creating a student-centered tech platform to address educational inequality. We dive into his personal journey, the pivotal moments that reshaped his purpose, and how Loper is helping students discover the right post-high school path—whether it’s a four-year university, trade school, or something else entirely.💡 Highlights:Why Sam walked away from Wall StreetThe role of privilege and perspective in college accessHow Loper personalizes the college discovery processAdvice for students feeling overwhelmed by decisions“Time is long,” Sam reminds us, encouraging young people to be patient with the process and open to growth along the way.🎙️ Tune in to hear how one app is helping students reimagine what comes next.
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Ep. 191 - Ezra Brown's First Gen Journey
In this episode, attorney Ezra Brown joins me to share his powerful journey—from growing up in a working-class Jewish household to practicing law and leading pro bono efforts at the border. Ezra opens up about the culture shock of attending UT Law, the hard lessons he learned navigating the LSAT, and the strategies he used to avoid crushing law school debt. He also offers actionable advice for aspiring law students, especially those from first-gen backgrounds.🎧 Whether you're thinking about law school or passionate about educational equity, Ezra’s story is packed with insight, honesty, and hard-won wisdom. #lawschooljourney #firstgenlawyer #attorney #biglaw #lawschooltips #educationalequity #accesstoeducation #higheredmatters #firstgensuccess #careertalk #inspirationdaily #storytelling
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Ep. 190 - Maria Jose Cook
Maria Jose Cook moved to the U.S. at 14, undocumented and uncertain about her future. Today, Maria is the Associate Director at ISPOR and travels the world connecting leaders in healthcare. In this episode, Maria shares how self-advocacy, grit, and staying true to her values helped her build a fulfilling life and career. A must-listen for anyone navigating uncertainty or carving out their unique path. Let's jump in.#podcast #healthcare #journey #nonprofit #latina #latinaleadership #story
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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