“When I graduated from high school, I was set on becoming a nurse. I took all the necessary classes to help me achieve this goal. I chose the college I would attend based on its nursing program. I signed up for all the right courses for that program in my first year. I did all the prep I thought I could to help me achieve my dream. And then, I took college-level chemistry, and my dreams came crashing down. I failed. I never failed any class up to that point. I was devastated and had an existential crisis (it wasn’t that serious, young me, calm down). I spent my whole high school career thinking I could be a nurse, but how could I do that if I couldn’t pass the introductory classes to get there? I knew I didn’t want the rest of my college career to be spent the way I spent my first semester- in the library with tutors, sobbing because I just couldn’t comprehend my coursework.
More than a decade later, I look back on that experience and realize that I should have known I would never have made it as a nurse, not because I’m not smart enough, but because that wasn’t really my passion. That, and the sight of blood, makes me squeamish, but that is beside the point. After I thought of every possible scenario and tried to convince myself I could push through no matter what, I knew this wasn’t supposed to be my journey, and I needed to figure out where my passion thrived.
It has always been a core value of mine to help others, and I thought that meant having a career in the medical field. I wish I could go back to my 17-year-old self and tell her that you can help people in many ways, and helping them find their passion for their career is one of them. When young, impressionable Riley had to decide which career path to take, I was so out of touch with the endless opportunities that I chose something based on ‘what everyone else was doing’ and not what I truly was passionate about. I share this with you because it is the foundation of my ‘why.’
I am grateful that my college advisors introduced me to communications and public relations, and I found what lit a fire in me, utilizing the skills I have and what I enjoy to make a difference. But if I had the resources available to try out what I thought I wanted in high school, maybe I would have found this path a little sooner (and saved a few dollars along the way).
In my role, I get to help young professionals see all the incredible opportunities the world of manufacturing has to offer. As part of the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium, I partner with like-minded individuals who share my drive to raise awareness about the career paths available in our local area. It is so rewarding when a student gets exposure to something they thought might be just a hobby and now has the potential to become their career. It can truly change their life, and I am proud to be a part of that journey.”
Riley Schmucker, Marketing Communications & Event Lead, Scot Forge