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Welcome to High School Pathfinder: For the Future You! I'm your host, Ayana Mehta- a high school student who, just like you, is figuring out what comes next. I started this podcast to make one thing easier for high school students: finding your path before you're forced to choose it. Each week, I talk with people who are truly great at what they do and ask them how they got to where they are today. This includes everything from doctors, designers, biotech investors, engineers, and more! These aren't just highlight reels or "follow your dream" speeches. They are honest conversations about doubt, discovery, and decision-making. But this podcast isn't just about job titles. It's about the skills that help you succeed in ANY path: resilience, confidence, focus, and leadership. You'll also hear from mentors and young professionals who've mastered the mindsets we rarely learn in school but absolutely need. If you've ever felt overwhelmed when someone asks, "So what do you want to do in the future?", this podcast is for you. If you are a parent, teacher, or mentor trying to support someone in that moment, it's for you too!
Episodes
Jul 26, 2026
Jul 26, 2026
12 min
What happens when you skip the traditional college route at 18, join the U.S. Navy, and end up working in cyber intelligence before competing on national television?
In this episode, I sit down with Umeko Peterson, who is a former U.S. Navy Operational and Cyber Intelligence Analyst and contestant on Million Dollar Secret. Umeko opens up about making a major decision at 18 while her peers headed off to college, what working in high-stakes military intelligence actually looks like, and how her strategic background helped her navigate the reality TV world.
She also shares the reality of stepping away from a seven-year military career to become a civilian college student, giving invaluable advice for any high schooler who feels terrified of making the "wrong" choice for their future.
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