High School Pathfinder: For the Future You

Most people think of doctors and nurses when they imagine working in healthcare, but there are many important roles behind the scenes that help the system run.

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Rachael Anzalone, an Insurance Coordinator at Jain Orthodontics, to talk about a career that many students may not even know exists. Rachael explains what her job actually looks like day-to-day, the skills needed to succeed in healthcare administration, and what she has learned from working closely with patients. She also shares advice for students who are interested in healthcare but may not want to pursue the path of becoming a doctor!

If you're curious about the many different ways you can make an impact in healthcare, this episode is for you! 

Be sure to download and share with family + friends!

When most people hear “data science,” they think of coding and algorithms. But there’s an entire side of this field that connects directly to business strategy and major decisions.

In this episode, I sit down with Suchi Shahani, a Data Scientist at Arrow Electronics, to talk about how she uses data in the Aerospace & Defense sector to influence high-stakes contract decisions. She shares what her day-to-day work actually looks like, how her background in electronics engineering shapes her approach, and what students should focus on if they’re interested in this field.

If you’re curious about careers in data science that go beyond just writing code, this episode gives you a real look at what’s possible!! 

Be sure to download the episode and share with family & friends!

Most of us spend so much time thinking about college and how to get hired, but we rarely hear from the people actually doing the hiring.

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Koletski, a recruiter at McMaster-Carr, and this conversation was packed with honest, practical insight. She breaks down what recruiting really looks like day-to-day, what stands out in candidates, and how to think strategically about your career--even in high school.

We also talk about her journey from studying psychology to working in customer-facing roles, transitioning into recruiting, and choosing to pursue her MBA at Emory University after gaining real-world experience.

If you want insight from someone who actually evaluates candidates for a living, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!! Be sure to download and share with friends!!!

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Dr. Payal Jain, an orthodontist with over 15 years of experience, to break down what this field is actually like behind the scenes. From choosing a career that involves looking into people’s mouths all day to running her very own practice, Dr. Jain shares the real story of how she found her path.

They talk about the long road to becoming an orthodontist, the parts of the job that might surprise you, and why orthodontics is as much about people as it is about science.

If you’re curious about healthcare, dentistry, or careers that combine technical skill with creativity and leadership, this episode is for you! 

Be sure to download and share with family + friends!!

In this milestone 20th episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana talks with Sirja Joeever, a Harvard freshman studying math and statistics, about navigating high school while exploring diverse passions. From competitive math and orchestra to founding Women on Wall Street, co-founding a nonprofit, tutoring, and becoming a nationally recognized ballet dancer, Sirja shares how she balanced her interests, made decisions, and discovered her direction.

We dive into how to prioritize what matters most, the challenges of leading clubs and initiatives, and advice for students who feel overwhelmed by the pressure to “do it all.” If you’re a high schooler trying to figure out how to explore your passions without burning out, this episode is for you! 

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In this episode, Ayana talks with Dr. Sibel Ebru Yalcin, a biochemical physicist at Yale who works on one of the most interesting parts of science, which is building the microscopes and imaging systems that allow researchers to "see the invisible."

From Turkey to Los Alamos to Yale, Dr. Yalcin has followed her curiosity across the world, designing tools that help scientists study bacteria, proteins, and nanoscale structures in ways never before possible. She shares how she found her niche, why creating scientific instruments matters just as much as running experiments, and what young students should know if they’re curious about research but don’t know where to start!

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When most people think about dentists, they picture routine checkups or fixing cavities, but there’s so much more to the profession. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jasmeet Khurana of Hudson Family Dental to talk about what really goes into building a career in dentistry.

She shares her journey from studying dentistry in India to completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery at NYU, what a “day in the life” of a dentist actually looks like, and the challenges that shaped her along the way. If you’re a high schooler curious about dentistry, or just wondering how to start exploring healthcare careers, this one's for you!

Don't forget to download, share, and follow!

 

What does it really take to turn a startup idea into something big?

In this episode, Ayana sits down with Vinny Minhas, a growth and strategy leader who has helped multiple tech startups scale successfully find their edge, scale up, and thrive in competitive markets. They dive into how great companies grow, what true leadership looks like in fast-paced environments, and why confidence and curiosity are just as important as any business skill.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, or just how people make things happen, this one’s for you!

Don’t forget to follow, share, and download this episode; it’s one you’ll want to come back to!