Successful career paths have a lot in common, even in divergent industries.
The four people profiled here followed their passion, seized opportunities, and worked from the bottom up -- some without relying on a four-year degree.
What lessons do their stories hold for us in this down economy?
A Construction Career Built From the Ground Up
Say "yes" to new opportunities.
Gregory Hescock is a vice president at Boston-based Suffolk Construction, one of the country's most successful general contractors. He summed up his 22-year career with the company: "I've gone from being an assistant superintendent to a vice president, running the entire field operations of a billion-and-a-half-dollar company without any formal construction education."
In 1987, Hescock was director of buildings and grounds at The Rivers School, a private preparatory school Weston, Massachusetts. To cut costs on construction of a new building on campus, the school approached him to take on the role general contractor, avoiding the need to hire one. Hescock admits, "I'd never done anything like that." Though surprised by the offer, he recognized it as "a tremendous opportunity" and accepted.
Hescock explains, "I finished the project on time. The school was very happy and gave me a bonus." But there was a problem. He says, "They wanted me to go back to my old job."
He talked with a trustee of the school, with whom he'd worked during construction, about his desire to pursue construction. Through this connection, Hescock landed interviews with several general contractors and was soon hired by Suffolk.
"My first project was a six-building apartment complex. I was on the job 10 weeks when they fired the superintendent." Due to the strife caused by the superintendent's negative work style, "There was a revolt on the site." Hescock was asked to be the new project leader
The role of superintendent was a perfect fit. On that first job site, he realized, "I loved the job. I loved building."
Hescock's best advice for succeeding in construction has to do with people?not steel or concrete. "Take the approach that the people you work with are competent and doing their best. Give them respect. If you talk down to them, it sets the stage for failure. People can sense that."
Construction superintendent, commercial, over 20 years of experience, median annual salary: $85,385
Dedicated DJ Rises in Radio
Don't be afraid to start at the bottom.
With more than 20 years in radio, Bill DeVille has paid his dues in an elusive industry. He's now host of "Musicheads" on Minneapolis Public Radio's The Current (thecurrent.org).
After a nine-month program at Brown College's Broadcasting Program, DeVille sent out 150 resumes to radio stations -- not realizing that he knew one of the station's program directors, a former neighbor who would help him land his first job. DeVille explained, "In radio, it's not what you know, it's who you know."
"I started out at a country station in my hometown -- Sioux Falls, South Dakota." He worked four hours on Sundays. "I had no interest in it but wanted to start my career and knew I had to start from the very bottom."
Over the next decade, DeVille's career ramped up. "I'm doing a live radio show in the Twin Cities. I love it."
DeVille's main tip for those just starting out? Don't do what he did, when it comes to education. "I recommend getting a four-year degree and doing college radio." That's not the only route, however. "Or volunteer at a public radio station. With all the Internet opportunities, it's not as far-fetched as it seems."
Radio show, host, over 20 years of experience, median annual salary: $56,540
A Futuristic Career by Design
Pay attention to what you are good at.
Richard Zaragoza's first design job was worlds away from his current office at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Fourteen years ago in Rancho Cucamonga, California, he was doing holiday paintings on store windows for $70. It was humble work, but meaningful. "That [experience] gave me the confidence to get a certificate in computer graphic design."
Today, Zaragoza gets paid very well for "user experience design for software incubation." He's risen to the top despite having only attended trade school for one year. He explains, "I work with PhD's, so it can be awkward. I don't have any education listed on my Facebook page -- it's blank."
After trade school, he designed packaging for a packing factory. He never actually received a paycheck. "I took risks. I saw it as an opportunity to learn." The design work he did there, including boxes for liquor bottles and a clothing iron, formed the foundation of a portfolio that would lead to better and better jobs.
The first step toward a successful design career, Zaragoza believes, is to understand the range of options in the field. Four years ago, he didn't know that his current job even existed. As for the next step, he advises, "Find experts in the field you want to be in, and befriend them. I work with geniuses. I completely latch onto them and suck up any information they give me."
Final thoughts? "Foolish confidence is healthy. Also, failure is not the end of the road -- it's just the next step to success. Don't be afraid to screw up."
Senior graphic designer, 8-13 years experience, median annual salary: $56,832
Physician Assistant Takes Charge of His Career
Try out your new career before you pay for school.
"I'm really nobody's assistant," says Kris Johnson, a physician assistant in the emergency room at Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane Valley, Washington. Johnson examines patients' histories, prescribes medications, and develops treatment plans. He points out, "My role is not too different from the physicians that I work side-by-side with."
While his salary is lower than that of an M.D., mainly due to less schooling, there are comparative advantages. "My hours are all over the place, but I don't have to be on call. I don't have anyone calling me at home from work."
In 2001, when Johnson was laid off from a machine shop just after the 9/11 attacks, a government program paid for nine months of school. Johnson chose to become a surgical technologist.
Within six months in the medical field, the role of physician assistant caught his eye. "I enjoyed medicine but hadn't thought it was something I could ever do. Medical school was out of reach."
He spent a year fulfilling academic requirements to apply to PA school and was accepted into a local program. Because he was employed as a surgical technologist in the school's hospital he attended night school for free while working fulltime.
He excelled in his studies. "It was the first time that I was in school and felt like it was something I could really do and looked forward to doing."
Johnson's advice for those pondering the physician assistant path? "If you have any desire to work in medicine, start in an ancillary position. Physician assistant programs require prior medical experience."
Johnson points out that after seeing the "not so glamorous aspects" of the field, you'll know whether it's right for you. For him, those early experiences were confirmation of his calling.
Physician assistant, 5-8 years experience, median annual salary: $88,214
Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with varied years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.
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