Decision Day

LEAH LEVERICH

Imagine going to school on Decision Day without any sense of direction and wearing normal clothes while everyone else has on college merchandise. No one goes out of their way to be an outcast, especially not in high school. It’s a very isolating feeling that I’m determined to prevent future students from experiencing. Why is it that we let this “traditional path” dictate our level of success after high school? It’s become more apparent that the “one-size fits all” mentality is not realistic… So why do we apply it to the college path?

I’ve never been the type of person who looked forward to college. There is a culture around what the college experience is supposed to be like, and that it’s just a period of time during everyone’s life. That’s a very expensive period of time! There is no way that sacrifice is worth it for everyone. I’m living proof.

I started a homemade bath bomb business called Bath Bombs For Charity (BBFC) when I was 12 for my school’s National Junior Honor Society program. Using this entrepreneurial spirit, I would make bath bombs, sell them door to door, and give the profit to local charities such as Best Buddies NY, Resolve of Greater Rochester and Grace’s Garden at the Golisano Children’s Hospital. I loved the feeling of giving back to charity while also creating a product that made people smile. With this endeavor in the back of my mind, college was already seeming a bit unnecessary for me. Knowing that I had this love for entrepreneurship, I couldn’t imagine what college could provide me that I couldn’t also get by networking and being involved in the real world. I’m not saying college is pointless, of course it is required for people interested in certain careers. However, studies show that 41% of recent college graduates end up in careers that don’t require college degrees and 1 in 10 students change their majors more than once. This made me extremely curious about the current expectations in our society. Why is it that college is the obvious next step? What about people going into the military or the trades or starting a business? The list goes on. I believe those paths deserve tons of recognition too!

While I didn’t end up going to college right after high school, I’ll never say never. I might decide to go back and further my education down the line if I feel it could help me. I reminisce on the times I job shadowed architects, physical therapists, dermatologists, broadcasters and interior designers… none of it felt right for me. So, following my gut and taking the non-traditional path took loads of bravery. During my senior year of high school, I met an entrepreneur named Brandon T. Adams. He offered me advice on the bath bomb business and provided me with the opportunity of a paid internship. I started by posting on his social media, which then led to attending events, networking with successful entrepreneurs, keynote speakers, investors and even a shark from the hit TV show Shark Tank! My mind was opened to a whole world of career possibilities I barely knew existed. As I talked to successful people and gained their perspective on college, my decision was clear. One connection I made had opened the door to an infinite number of opportunities. By graduation day in June of 2022, I had decided to jump right into the workforce, and as of right now, have worked with Brandon to gain the title of Multimedia and Video Production Manager as well as Assistant Event Coordinator for the annual Rise & Record event at only 18 years old!!! www.instagram.com/ decisiondaypodcast/

This path feels so right for me, and I never would have found it if I didn’t have the courage to break free from what is “normal” or expected of people my age. I‘m constantly fascinated by stories from successful entrepreneurs and business executives about how there is not one linear path to success. This message needs to be spread to all teenagers, especially if they’re having those same isolating thoughts I had as a senior.

I started the Decision Day Podcast to help high schoolers make a decision that is right for them, whatever it may be! I’ve loved using the platform as a creative outlet to express my love for video editing & entrepreneurship, but it has been so eye-opening to gather perspectives on college from all different people in all types of careers in hopes of helping at least one student.

There is so much opportunity in our world today. If you or someone you know is currently in high school and are struggling to figure out which path feels right… know that there are so many possibilities, and there is absolutely no rush. I would love to hear your plans for life after high school, share them with me on the Decision Day Podcast!

Leah is the host of The “Decision Day” Podcast where she documents her experience taking the nontraditional path after high school, and helps students make a post-graduation decision with confidence by doing what feels right for them.