STARs and skills-first champions share their stories of the paper ceiling.
Kelly P.
Don't let a degree requirement define your potential.
STAR
Other Services
South
Senior Associate, Marketing
Opportunity@Work
Don't let a degree requirement define your potential.
Houston
Texas
Shayan B.
100+ rejections, then Year Up led straight to Facebook.
Year Up
STAR
Information
South
Systems Administrator
100+ rejections, then Year Up led straight to Facebook.
Washington
District of Columbia
Samantha H.
A TV crime show inspired her medical career at UCSF.
JVS
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
West
Practice Coordinator, Medical Administrative Assistant
UCSF Health
A TV crime show inspired her medical career at UCSF.
California
Keith P.
He finished Google's Data Analytics cert in two months.
Google Career Certificates
STAR
Information
Midwest
Data Analyst
He finished Google's Data Analytics cert in two months.
Detroit
Michigan
Cindy V.
She'd hit a paper ceiling — IBM proved her wrong.
IBM Network Admin Apprenticeship
STAR
Information
South
Network Operations Technician
IBM
She'd hit a paper ceiling — IBM proved her wrong.
West Virginia
Benny P.
Told he'd never be district manager, now he runs one.
STAR
Retail
Northeast
Senior District Manager
Old Navy / Gap Inc.
Told he'd never be district manager, now he runs one.
Manhattan
New York
Angel P.
Navy vet, five promotions in under 10 years at Walmart.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
Digital Coach
Walmart
Navy vet, five promotions in under 10 years at Walmart.
Jay G.
House, car, two jobs — within two years of release.
STAR
Education
Success Coach
House, car, two jobs — within two years of release.
Erin H.
13-year expert still fears losing out to a degree.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Internal Audit Manager
13-year expert still fears losing out to a degree.
Antioch
Tennessee
Darryl T.
From selling drugs to survive to city Sanitation Supervisor.
Second Chance program
STAR
Transportation & Warehousing
Midwest
Sanitation Supervisor
From selling drugs to survive to city Sanitation Supervisor.
Chicago
Illinois
Carol C.
A teen mom who built her own art business.
STAR
Arts & Entertainment
West
Artist & Owner
A teen mom who built her own art business.
Arvada
Colorado
Ansaer W.
"Adversity feels like home" — Navy vet turned QA engineer.
YearUp
STAR
Information
Software QA Engineer
"Adversity feels like home" — Navy vet turned QA engineer.
Mike L.
Stocking shelves with his dad to leading hundreds of staff.
STAR
Other Services
Management
Stocking shelves with his dad to leading hundreds of staff.
Kyle P.
From mall jewelry sales to $18M in tech sales.
STAR
Information
West
Sales
From mall jewelry sales to $18M in tech sales.
LA
California
Marsay M.
She built her email marketing career entirely on the job.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Sr. Associate, Email Marketing
She built her email marketing career entirely on the job.
North Carolina
Brynt P.
Walmart: Betting on Skills Over Pedigree
Skills-Based Hiring
Champion
Retail
Nationwide
Senior Director, Non-Traditional Talent
Walmart
Walmart: Betting on Skills Over Pedigree
Roger S.
IBM's Apprenticeship: All 10 Hired Full-Time.
IBM Network Admin Apprenticeship
Champion
Professional Services
Nationwide
Data Center Manager
IBM
IBM's Apprenticeship: All 10 Hired Full-Time.
Benny P.
Old Navy's This Way ONward: 15,000 careers since 2007.
This Way ONward
Champion
Retail
Nationwide
Senior District Manager
Old Navy / Gap Inc.
Old Navy's This Way ONward: 15,000 careers since 2007.
Jesse H.
75% of Google Career Certificate grads see a job boost.
Google Career Certificates
Champion
Information
Nationwide
Senior Director, Grow with Google
75% of Google Career Certificate grads see a job boost.
Amy V.
80+ apprentices, 26 states, 100% satisfaction rate.
Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP)
Champion
Manufacturing
Nationwide
Director, Workforce Innovation
Trane Technologies
80+ apprentices, 26 states, 100% satisfaction rate.
Parisa F.
Indeed removed degree requirements from 700+ job profiles.
BOOST
Champion
Information
Nationwide
Senior Director, ESG Programs and Partnerships
Indeed
Indeed removed degree requirements from 700+ job profiles.
Fazri Z.
80 rejections later, a self-built app got him hired.
STAR
Information
West
CEO, LuqEE and Co-Founder, Play Cubed
80 rejections later, a self-built app got him hired.
Rancho Santa Margarita
California
Naomi D.
Helping shape AI-driven patient care, no degree required.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Midwest
Project Implementation Coordinator, Seattle Children's Hospital
Helping shape AI-driven patient care, no degree required.
Chicago
Illinois
Travis T.
Screened out for no degree, he built a global platform.
STAR
Arts & Entertainment
South
Learning Experience Designer, Community Strategist
Screened out for no degree, he built a global platform.
Augusta
Georgia
Jubei B.
A junior-year Zoom call led him to Accenture.
STAR
Information
South
Tech Analyst, Accenture
Accenture
A junior-year Zoom call led him to Accenture.
Washington
District of Columbia
Sandy T.
She opens building-trades doors for inmates and young girls.
STAR
Education
Midwest
Former Construction and Remodeling Program Director
She opens building-trades doors for inmates and young girls.
Madison
Wisconsin
Gabe T.
From theatre to tech: he now manages projects daily.
STAR
Professional Services
Midwest
Project Manager
From theatre to tech: he now manages projects daily.
Chicago
Illinois
Diego R.
From a border town to Program Manager, Entrepreneurship.
STAR
Education
South
Senior Program Manager, Entrepreneurship
From a border town to Program Manager, Entrepreneurship.
Texas
Freddie R.
An apprenticeship opened the door to business operations.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Business Operations Associate Apprentice
An apprenticeship opened the door to business operations.
District of Columbia
Marcus Z.
He bartended through the pandemic, now he's a Systems Admin.
STAR
Information
South
Jr Systems Administrator
He bartended through the pandemic, now he's a Systems Admin.
Durham
North Carolina
Anthony E.
From service member to Interim Executive Director.
STAR
Other Services
Midwest
Interim Executive Director, Public Allies Wisconsin
From service member to Interim Executive Director.
Wisconsin
Steeve A.
He almost failed a cert exam, now a Salesforce manager.
STAR
Information
Northeast
Salesforce Data & Reporting Manager
He almost failed a cert exam, now a Salesforce manager.
Boston
Massachusetts
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Patrick S.
No degree, but he founded his own leadership coaching firm.
STAR
Education
South
Founder, Leading Through
No degree, but he founded his own leadership coaching firm.
Washington
District of Columbia
Cherri M.
Applied to 100+ jobs before Colorado finally said yes.
STAR
Public Administration
West
Benefits and Leave Specialist
State of Colorado
Applied to 100+ jobs before Colorado finally said yes.
Denver
Colorado
Sara H.
From emergency response to leadership development.
STAR
Education
West
Leadership & Organizational Development Professional
TCF Bank
From emergency response to leadership development.
Aurora
Colorado
Matt P.
From CVS call center to leading BJ's Mac tech team.
MTTI (Computer and Network Technician certification)
STAR
Information
Northeast
Senior Mac Specialist
BJ's Wholesale Club
From CVS call center to leading BJ's Mac tech team.
Cumberland
Rhode Island
Lisa S.
She crossed industries with no degree, now in healthcare.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Northeast
Clinical Care Coordinator
She crossed industries with no degree, now in healthcare.
Cumberland
Rhode Island
Jin B.
Apprenticeship turned a photographer into a business analyst
General Assembly
STAR
Information
Northeast
Business Analyst
Accenture
Apprenticeship turned a photographer into a business analyst
Boston
Massachusetts
Henry G.
His last $400 bought a laptop, now a cybersecurity pro.
Google Cybersecurity Certification (via Coursera)
STAR
Information
South
Cybersecurity Analyst
His last $400 bought a laptop, now a cybersecurity pro.
Washington
District of Columbia
Danielle H.
She said yes before feeling ready, now leads compliance.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
West
Compliance and Credentialing Manager
Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC)
She said yes before feeling ready, now leads compliance.
Sacramento
California
Keylin H.
Community college to Associate Director — no degree.
Year Up United
STAR
Education
Northeast
Associate Director, Learning & Advisory Services
Year Up United
Community college to Associate Director — no degree.
Boston
Massachusetts
Stephanie D.
No backup plan, no degree — now a project manager.
Google Project Management Certificate
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
South
Operations Coordinator
No backup plan, no degree — now a project manager.
Columbia
South Carolina
Tina H.
Spotted a broken process, recovered $3.5M for AT&T.
Year Up United
STAR
Information
South
Quality Assurance, Project Management Professional
Kobiton
Spotted a broken process, recovered $3.5M for AT&T.
Atlanta
Georgia
Dau'ne B.
From Kroger cashier supervisor to Creative Project Manager.
Houston Community College
STAR
Other Services
South
Creative Project Manager
Paperless Pathways Podcast
From Kroger cashier supervisor to Creative Project Manager.
Houston
Texas
Paige B.
An associate degree and internship led to a Director role.
STAR
Public Administration
South
Director, STARs Public Sector Hub
Opportunity@Work
An associate degree and internship led to a Director role.
Washington
District of Columbia
Sara K.
45+ years of experience proves resilience beats any degree.
STAR
Public Administration
West
Program Specialist, Case Management Advisor
State of Arizona
45+ years of experience proves resilience beats any degree.
Phoenix
Arizona
Jodee T.
She learned accounting on the job. Her motto: figureoutable.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
West
Account Manager, Client Advisor
She learned accounting on the job. Her motto: figureoutable.
Las Vegas
Nevada
Mario R.
Turned down Goldman Sachs to build his own edtech company.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
West
Legal Tech Account Solutions Manager
Turned down Goldman Sachs to build his own edtech company.
Salt Lake City
Utah
Brandon B.
A local program turned his security background into tech.
Retrain Tulsa
STAR
Information
South
Technical Professional
A local program turned his security background into tech.
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Georgette B.
Accounting, healthcare, banking — built without a degree.
STAR
Other Services
South
Manager, STARs Engagement & Enablement
Opportunity@Work
Accounting, healthcare, banking — built without a degree.
Baltimore
Maryland
Charmagne G.
Don't let a résumé tell an incomplete story about you.
STAR
Other Services
Northeast
Senior Manager, Coalition Success and Engagement
Opportunity@Work
Don't let a résumé tell an incomplete story about you.
Englewood
New Jersey
Alyssa V.
No one questioned my ability — only the system did.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
West
Brand Operations
Indeed
No one questioned my ability — only the system did.
California
LaShana L.
Rejected for no degree — CEO of her own company.
LaunchCode
STAR
Corporate Management
West
CEO and Entrepreneur
L. M. Lewis Consulting
Rejected for no degree — CEO of her own company.
California
Justin H.
Made smoothies, memorized orders, landed a CEO's internship.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Director of Business Development
Made smoothies, memorized orders, landed a CEO's internship.
Baton Rouge
Louisiana
Shanel A.
A part-time baking tryout led to General Bakery Manager.
STAR
Hospitality
South
Baker, Cook
A part-time baking tryout led to General Bakery Manager.
Virginia
Alisha W.
Two-year degree, but she outpaced four-year-degree peers.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Compensation Analyst
Trane Technologies
Two-year degree, but she outpaced four-year-degree peers.
Texas
Jon
Left home at 16, now a systems analyst, no degree.
STAR
Information
Systems Analyst
Trane Technologies
Left home at 16, now a systems analyst, no degree.
Cale S.
Navy vet, zero degree, three promotions in four years.
Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP)
STAR
Construction
Service Technician
Trane Technologies
Navy vet, zero degree, three promotions in four years.
Wilkin S.
Self-taught computer repair led to his IT career.
STAR
Professional Services
Northeast
IT Support Specialist
Self-taught computer repair led to his IT career.
Providence
Rhode Island
Thaddaeus E.
No formal IT training — now the go-to tech problem-solver.
STAR
Information
South
Technology Support Specialist
No formal IT training — now the go-to tech problem-solver.
North Carolina
Tayshawn M.
From injured athlete to owning his own fitness studio.
STAR
Corporate Management
South
Personal Trainer / Business Owner
From injured athlete to owning his own fitness studio.
North Carolina
Taylor C.
From mailroom roots to managing faculty finances and grades.
STAR
Education
South
Academic Assistant
From mailroom roots to managing faculty finances and grades.
North Carolina
Tadarius L.
Identity theft taught him credit repair, now he runs it.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Business Owner
Identity theft taught him credit repair, now he runs it.
Maryland
Sheronda B.
Built 80 county apps with no degree, now mentors STARs.
STAR
Public Administration
South
Division Manager
Built 80 county apps with no degree, now mentors STARs.
District of Columbia
Sheree M.
Degree discrimination, layoffs — still earned 5 promotions.
STAR
Education
West
College/Career Specialist
Degree discrimination, layoffs — still earned 5 promotions.
Oakland
California
Sharon M.
No degree, but she kept climbing to better-paying jobs.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
Northeast
Billing Coordinator
No degree, but she kept climbing to better-paying jobs.
Pennsylvania
Sean F.
Told art never pays — now a professional ice sculptor.
STAR
Arts & Entertainment
Northeast
Artist / Small Business Owner
Told art never pays — now a professional ice sculptor.
Massachusetts
Sam D.
"Give me a week, I'll figure it out": his motto.
STAR
Corporate Management
Northeast
Self-Employed Contractor
"Give me a week, I'll figure it out": his motto.
Maine
Robert M.
Skate shop to corporate merchandiser, built on work ethic.
STAR
Retail
South
Merchandiser
Skate shop to corporate merchandiser, built on work ethic.
Tennessee
Ricky M.
"You're never failing, just trying to get better."
STAR
Arts & Entertainment
West
Actor and Acting Coach
"You're never failing, just trying to get better."
LA
California
Reyna G.
From a youth IT internship to licensed insurance sales.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
West
Insurance Sales
From a youth IT internship to licensed insurance sales.
California
Quinn D.
"We're not the liability" — a veteran fighting the stigma.
STAR
Hospitality
South
Restaurant Delivery Driver
"We're not the liability" — a veteran fighting the stigma.
Austin
Texas
Micah P.
Runs his company — still rejected for lacking a degree.
STAR
Corporate Management
Northeast
Business Owner, Noncommissioned Officer
Runs his company — still rejected for lacking a degree.
Vermont
Meghan M.
"It's more about hanging out with me than the haircut."
STAR
Arts & Entertainment
South
Cosmetologist
"It's more about hanging out with me than the haircut."
North Carolina
Mary F.
Led a team 20 years, then hit 2005's degree wall.
STAR
Public Administration
Midwest
Retired
Led a team 20 years, then hit 2005's degree wall.
Ohio
Mark L.
"A couple of semesters off" became 40 years in journalism.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Director of Communications
"A couple of semesters off" became 40 years in journalism.
Louisiana
Mark M.
From filling ketchup bottles at 9 to culinary director.
STAR
Hospitality
South
Culinary Director of Hospitality Group
From filling ketchup bottles at 9 to culinary director.
Durham
North Carolina
Lynnette J.
After 31 years in academic advising, she launched masks.
STAR
Arts & Entertainment
South
Business Owner
After 31 years in academic advising, she launched masks.
North Carolina
Lawrence J.
A CEO watched him clean litter, then hired him.
Clean Slate
STAR
Finance & Insurance
Midwest
Facilities Manager
A CEO watched him clean litter, then hired him.
Chicago
Illinois
Laura C.
From pharmacy counter to IT: "the world is my oyster."
STAR
Education
South
Pharmacy Compounding Technician
From pharmacy counter to IT: "the world is my oyster."
North Carolina
Lakisha G.
"Knowing your worth" — she asked, got a raise.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Administrative Assistant
"Knowing your worth" — she asked, got a raise.
North Carolina
Kent J.
A veteran's pitch: 'set me up with a temp ID.'
STAR
Information
South
Desktop Support Specialist
A veteran's pitch: 'set me up with a temp ID.'
North Carolina
Katy B.
From music studios to data analytics, thanks to rugby.
STAR
Information
South
Data Analyst
From music studios to data analytics, thanks to rugby.
Durham
North Carolina
Jonte H.
From the trades to answering to just two people.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Corporate Recruitment Training Manager
From the trades to answering to just two people.
North Carolina
Jonathan W.
Foster care taught him to lead without ultimatums.
STAR
Hospitality
South
Security Supervisor
Foster care taught him to lead without ultimatums.
Durham
North Carolina
Jamie A.
From prison to governor's mansion to nonprofit lead.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Development Coordinator
From prison to governor's mansion to nonprofit lead.
North Carolina
Giancarlo M.
Built a UI career through a micro-credential, not a degree.
STAR
Information
Northeast
Senior UI Developer
Built a UI career through a micro-credential, not a degree.
Bronx
New York
Erika W.
Proving herself on the motor line as a working mother.
STAR
Information
South
Quality Assurance Technician
Proving herself on the motor line as a working mother.
Tignall
Georgia
Elizabeth B.
5 years incarcerated, now helps others avoid her path.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
Employment Counselor & Team Manager
5 years incarcerated, now helps others avoid her path.
North Carolina
Debrena M.
Crashed a company event — walked out with an apprenticeship.
STAR
Information
West
QA Engineer
Crashed a company event — walked out with an apprenticeship.
California
Daquan G.
"No one can take my skills from me," self-taught aide.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Northeast
Home Health Aid
"No one can take my skills from me," self-taught aide.
New York
Danielle C.
From dog-walking to HR coordinator of a 150-person team.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
South
HR Director's Assistant
From dog-walking to HR coordinator of a 150-person team.
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
Dalton D.
EMT by day, building an online platform on the side.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Northeast
Content Creator, Security Officer & EMT
EMT by day, building an online platform on the side.
Lowell
Massachusetts
Courtney M.
Hired as a project manager without knowing what one was.
STAR
Finance & Insurance
West
Client Services Manager
Hired as a project manager without knowing what one was.
California
Casey P.
From knife sales to drag star to jewelry entrepreneur.
STAR
Retail
South
Retail Associate & Entrepreneur
From knife sales to drag star to jewelry entrepreneur.
Durham
North Carolina
Carmen M.
CNA to unit coordinator — now building her own agency.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
South
Certified Nursing Assistant
CNA to unit coordinator — now building her own agency.
North Carolina
Barbara L.
Paused college for a family crisis, built a 35-year career.
STAR
Healthcare & Social Assistance
South
Family Support Specialist & Program Coordinator
Paused college for a family crisis, built a 35-year career.
Raleigh
North Carolina
Ali J.
Paid taxes at 15 — now owns a design firm.
STAR
Corporate Management
Northeast
Founder & CEO, Web Design/Development
Paid taxes at 15 — now owns a design firm.
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Dare to share
Every story tears the paper ceiling a little more, showing the nation what STARs are capable of, and how skills-first champions can lead by example.
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