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!
Breaking Into Wall Street: D1 Sports to Morgan Stanley VP with Kaitlyn Shanahan
How do you go from playing Division I college sports to becoming a Vice President on Wall Street?
In this episode of High School Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Kaitlyn Shanahan, a Vice President on the Delta One Structured Products Desk at Morgan Stanley and former Hofstra University D1 lacrosse player. After getting the opportunity to shadow Kaitlyn firsthand, Ayana dives into how Kaitlyn built her path into finance, how competing at a high level in college sports prepared her for corporate life, and what working in high-level finance actually looks like on a daily basis.
Kaitlyn breaks down complex Wall Street concepts into plain English and offers super practical, grounded advice for any high schooler looking to explore trading, banking, or corporate careers before college.
Be sure to download the episode and share it with your friends and family!
26 Jul 2026
From Cyber Intelligence to Reality TV: The Power of Pivoting with Umeko Peterson
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.
Be sure to download and share with friends!!
28 Jun 2026
From Psychology to Entertainment: Building a Unique Path with Dr. Albert Bramante
In this episode of High-School Pathfinder: For the Future You, I talk with Dr. Albert Bramante, a veteran entertainment talent agent, entrepreneur, and psychology professor, about navigating a completely unique and non-linear career path. With over two decades of experience securing major roles for actors across TV, film, and Broadway, Dr. Albert blends his insider knowledge of show business with his background in psychology to help people unlock their full potential.
We dive into the daily reality of being a talent agent, the turning point that took him from psychology books into the fast-paced world of entertainment, and the biggest business and entrepreneurial lessons he learned along the way. If you’re a high schooler feeling immense pressure to have your entire life figured out right now, this episode is for you!
Download and share with friends + family!
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