What’s your path?
Educational and Career Resources and Inspirational Stories of Women who Forged Their Own Paths
Are you unsure about what your future looks like after high school?
Do you want to learn about various opportunities that may fit your needs?
Are you still looking for an inspirational career?
Then take a spin here.
Hear from women who took non-traditional paths or entered non-traditional careers.
Check out different educational opportunities, career resources, and ways to pay for education or training that may be able to help you reach your goals.
On this website, check out..
Inspirational Career Interviews
Listen to interviews of women who have forged their own paths to inspirational and exciting careers in engineering, politics, art, business ownership, maritime/commercial shipping, construction, and as first responders.
Learn about their journeys, challenges and advice for you.
Educational Resources
Don’t know where to start? Check out these resources to connect you to the military, educational, and vocational institutions to learn about their offerings and how they can help you achieve your goals.
Take the Survey
Let’s hear from you. Did the website provide you new information and connections? Did it spur ideas for you?
Do you have other sources that may be helpful to others that we forgot on the website?
Let us know!
Interviews
As part of the Gold Award, interviews were conducted with women who forged unique educational and career paths, some in still male dominated jobs. Each professional has their own story to tell regarding how they afforded college, how they used the military to drive their education or careers, how they changed direction in education and careers, even in politics, to follow their passion.
Check out the interviews to hear their inspiring stories and advice to you.
Carmen DeLeon Acosta
Ms. DeLeon Acosta is Senior Manager of Manufacturing Operations Assembly at BLUE ORIGIN and was also a First Sergeant in the Air Force for Rescue Operations and was a Military Training Instructor as well.
What is a Merchant Marine?
Mariners are part of the maritime trade industry, in charge of ships that transport goods, people and supplies around the world. They can be pilots, engineers, mates, captains, seamen and more.
Typically, training and duties fall into 3 categories, but there are not the only types of jobs at sea.
- Engine department: Members of the engine department include engineers, electricians, mechanics and oilers. They make sure the machinery on a vessel operates correctly.
- Deck department: Members of the deck department include merchant seamen and lifeboatmen. They assist with the day-to-day functions of the ship.
- Steward’s department: Members of the steward’s department provide the ship’s food.
How do you become a Mariner?
To be a mariner you can either:
Attend one of the six academies (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/maritime-academies/maritime-academies)
or
learn skills through an apprenticeship program or specialized school and take certification tests.
If you are interested in the merchant marines, there are even some K-12 programs to explore: click here.
Christina Stevenson
Ms. Christina Stevenson is vice-president and co-owner, since 2008, of the Puerto Rico based Vigilant Shipping, which owns and operates several cargo ships in the Caribbean region. Prior to her current role she was an asset manager with Starwood Capital Group and sailed as second officer for Oceaneering International. Ms. Stevenson is a 1998 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a BS in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering, and received her MBA from the Wharton School of Business.
Dr. Julia Nesheiwat
Dr. Julia Nesheiwat currently is the Vice President, Policy & Insights at TC Energy. She grew up in Umatilla, FL and attended Stetson University. She was a U.S. Army military intelligence officer and left the Army as a captain. She was awarded the Bronze Star for her service in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dr. Nesheiwat served at senior levels on a White House commission under Presidents Bush, Obama and Trump in numerous senior economic and national security roles in the State Department. She was also Florida’s first Chief Resilience Officer. She has a Masters from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. from Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Public Service and Military Careers
Do you want to serve your country through the military?
Do you want to learn about other careers where you can serve your country through other roles?
Are you looking for a high level governmental job?
Check out this interview with Dr. Julia Nesheiwat and hear about her journey from college and ROTC to serving oversees and then traveling the world through her different careers.
Resources:
Introduction to Careers in the Federal Government
Careers in the Military - Intelligence Officer
Are you interested in Politics?
Are you in considering a career in Information Technology?
Perhaps you have no idea what direction you want to go after high school.
Check out this interview with Councilmember Gibson and hear her journey when she started in your shoes.
Mindy Gibson
Mindy Gibson is an elected official, small businesses owner, and was an information technology expert. After high school she received certifications in information technology, and entered the IT sector before opening her own small business focusing on her art. She has been a council member for Satellite Beach, and serves on many committees and boards in the community and state of Florida.
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Overall, women make up 39% of first responders. First responders include fire, police, emergency medical services, and others.
Women only make up 5% of fire fighters.
Resources:
EMS Training and Education Programs
Check out your school district for magnet programs such as East River’s First Responder Program and Osceola High Schools Fire Explorers Club.
Sai Oicata
Sai Oicata is paramedic by trade and emergency manager by education. Inspired by responses to domestic and foreign catastrophic events, Sai focused her post-secondary education on emergency management. After obtaining her paramedic certification and practicing in Boston, Massachusetts, Sai relocated to Florida where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management from the University of Central Florida. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Emergency and Crisis Management at the University of Central Florida. Her goal is to continue intertwining education and experience to save and sustain life, property, and the environment
Construction Industry
In the U.S, women only make up about
10% of the construction industry. There are so many different types of jobs available such as:
Electricians
Carpenters
Architects
Builders
Site managers
Plumbers
Masons
and More.
There are a number of resources available for women who are interested in construction and associated trades.
ACE Mentor Program (Central Florida)
Blanca Padilla
Blanca Padilla has worked in the construction industry for 17 years on large-scale urban mixed-use developments. As a project manager, Blanca was involved in all aspects of the day-to-day development and construction process for more than $1.5B of construction in New York City. In 2017 she moved to Florida where she was awarded a public private partnership with the City of Kissimmee and SkyView Companies. She has since split her time between project management, development, site acquisition analysis and business development. She is a member of ULI’s Central Florida chapter and a recipient of the CREW Orlando’s Rising Star Award in 2023
Military Resources
There are many opportunities for careers and education that the military offers. Whether that be enlisting to start your career sooner or going to college for a degree before your career, the military offers many routes to your future career.
Each branch offers different opportunities and careers as well as college opportunities through the GI Bill. There are a vast number of careers and include: pilots, medical, flight attendants, mechanics, artillery crew, audiovisual and media, business operations, caseworks, engineers and so much more.
Explore careers here and in each branch to the right.
Careers in the Military (link)
Do you want to go to college and serve your country?
Perhaps a Military Academy is the right path for you.
By attending a military academy (service academies, senior military colleges and maritime) you are granted full tuition in exchange for a period of service commitment; earn a bachelors degree and enter into service as an officer for a 5 year commitment, followed by 3 years of reserves.
The academies have multiple athletics teams, clubs and other “college life” activities and compete with other colleges.
https://www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/military-schools
National studies show that eight out of ten jobs require training beyond high school but not necessarily a four-year degree.
-Eastern Florida State College
Educational Institutions and Training
State and Community Colleges
There are numerous State and Community Colleges throughout Florida that provide Associates and even Bachelor Degrees, various certifications and have partnerships with Universities such as UCF and UF.
They offer online and in person classes at an affordable price. They are a great choice those who want to explore options, don’t need a 4 year degree, are seeking certifications, or have to work while attending school.
Many of these colleges also have sports such as softball, baseball, golf and many others as well as various clubs and organizations to join and become part of the college community.
Scholarships are also available at many of the colleges for academic merit as well as athletic.
For a full listing of 2 year colleges, some of which offer bachelor degrees and direct connect, visit here: https://www.stateofflorida.com/community-colleges/
Below are some local Central Florida State Colleges:
Seminole State College https://www.seminolestate.edu/
200+ degrees and certificates. Associates Degrees in Arts, Communication and Design, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Manufacturing and Construction, Public Safety, Science, Technology, Engineering and more. Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Arts in multiple disciplines including education, construction, public safety administration, information technology, nursing and more.
Professional Certificates. Direct transfer to UCF or UF Online
Eastern Florida State College https://www.easternflorida.edu/
Eastern Florida State College offers over 150 degree and certification programs, including Bachelor degrees. Earn your AA, AS, or one of many certifications at Eastern Florida in areas such as aerospace, business, aviation, computers, graphic design, HVAC, Welding, public safety (law enforcement, emt, fire rescue, etc.) and many others. Bachelor degrees are offered in Nursing, applied health sciences, science teacher, computer information systems, public safety management and organizational management.
Valencia College https://valenciacollege.edu/
130+ degree and certification programs. Earn an AA or AS in areas like arts and entertainment, hospitality and culinary, engineering, law, public safety and more. BS degrees are offered in Cardiopulmonary Sciences, nursing, Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, software development, and more. Career and Technical Certificates are also offered. Valencia also offers direct connect with UCF.
Through the Osceola Prosper program, Osceola County, Valencia College, and Osceola Tech are offering free tuition for graduates from high schools in Osceola County (public, charter, and private schools, and homeschool) who enroll at Valencia College or Osceola Technical College (oTech)
https://www.osceolaprosper.com/
Technical Colleges
Technical colleges offer one-year certificate and two-year associate degree programs; some may also offer bachelor's degrees. Some education credits may be transferable to other institutions for a 4 year degree. Some State colleges offer technical programs.
https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/dist-ps-instit.stml
Lake Tech https://www.laketech.org/
Lake Tech offers over 31 programs including architecture and construction,
Cosmetology, health services, hospitality (culinary) and tourism, manufacturing, public safety,
transportation and distribution.
Common programs available at technical colleges include:
Automotive maintenance technology
Computer programming
Dental hygiene
Diesel technology
Graphic design
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology
Information technology
Nursing
Fire Rescue/EMS
Image: Teeth Talk Girl
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
Trade schools train on skills for a particular job. Trade schools work to preparing students to enter the workforce in a skilled trade quickly and train only on the skills necessary for that job. This can range from welding and manufacturing to pipe fitting, carpentry and many others.
Apprenticeships is another pathway to learn on the job training and skills necessary for a particular job. Some programs combine apprenticeships with certifications.
Check out some of the resources below to train, enter the workforce and start your career quicky
after high school.
Get There: Florida’s Workforce Education Initiative
Image:RRC Polytech
Resources for some non-traditional jobs
HVAC - Heating and Air Conditioning
Did you know...women only make up 1.3% of this industry in 2019.
Women in HVAC- read about the industry, and connect with other professionals
HVAC Careers and Training-website
Women in HVAC Panel - youtube
HVAC Training and Career information
There are many jobs, especially in the trades sector, in which women are severely underrepresented. This page provides some resources to help explore some of these careers and perhaps even connect with women currently in these fields. The links are not meant to endorse any program or group, but to provide some resources to get you started on your journey, answer questions, and connect you to more resources.
Check out your local state or technical colleges, or trade schools for certifications and degrees in these industries.
Learn more about each area by clicking on the topics in bold and underlined to access the links.
Image: Women in HVACR
Mechanics -This industry includes auto, planes, marine and others.
Did you know...females make up less than 3% of aircraft mechanics?
What its like to be a female auto mechanic
Blazing Trails - mentorship and connect with industry professionals in Brevard County (auto, racing, STEM)-
Women Driving Automotive - youtube video
Women and Resources for Aviation Mechanics - website
Women in Aviation Maintenance - youtube videos
Seminole High School Aviation Academy
Image: Alaska Airlines News
Adobe
Resources for other Non - Traditional Careers
Below are more resources and interviews with women in non-traditional and male dominated jobs.
Maritime: Three Women Detail Life Working Offshore
Lineman: Girl Power - Stories from female utility lineworkers
Can Women be Powerline Workers?
Image: Lineworker.com
Image: Lineworker.com
Image: Lineman Central
Opportunities for Middle and High Schoolers to Explore Careers
Career Source Central Florida Summer Youth Program - Are you a high school student between the ages of 14-19? You can earn at minimum $1,200 while investing in yourself and your future.
Tech Sassy Girl - Non profit to “empower middle and high school girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)” Connect with women leaders in STEM-related fields, participate in workshops and technology tours, and intern with tech companies. Get help with college preparation and scholarships.
ACE Mentor Program - Introduces students to career opportunities in architecture, construction, engineering, and areas of the building design and construction industry.
Teen Police and Fire Academy - Free 9 day course for grades 10-12 for students interested in learning more about law enforcement and fire rescue.
Be sure to check out opportunities in your school District. Some may have specific in school programs,
after school programs or magnet schools.
Paying for College or Training
Do you need financial help paying for college, whether a 4 year or 2 year?
Scholarships, grants, ROTC, and work study programs may be able to help.
Did you know you do not need to wait until your senior year of high school to apply for scholarships? Some scholarships
are available for multiple years of high school through your college years.
There are even scholarships for the trades and special areas of study such as construction, HVAC, mechanics and more.
Check out your school district and your high schools websites for local and state scholarships.
sign up for a scholarship portal like:
ROTC Scholarships
Do you want to go to college, get a 4 year degree of your choice, and serve your country? Do you need financial resources to attend college? Perhaps ROTC is an option for you. Each military branch has ROTC in different colleges so be sure to check out which branch is found at your favorite colleges.
ROTC scholarships helps relieve the debt of college tuition so you can focus on your education. You will graduate as an Officer, a career. Commitments depended on your career with most being 4 years. These scholarships are generally awarded based on achievements and grades.
Check out the ROTC options available below.
Just click on each branch for the link:
Final Thoughts
Did the website provide you new information and connections?
Did it spur ideas for you?
Tell us through this survey - What’s Your Path Survey
Do you have other sources that may be helpful to others that we forgot on the website?
Email us - Whatsyourpath60@gmail.com
