Taking the Scenic Route with Cathy Ogawa - The Way to College Podcast

What happens when the career you thought you wanted turns out not to be the career for you?In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, I reconnect with my former Stanford classmate Cathy Ogawa, whose journey is proof that there is no single “right” path to a meaningful career.Cathy entered college thinking she would become a pediatrician. When that path didn’t work out, she explored everything from computer science and Japanese to economics.Eventually, she found her way back to something she had known about herself since childhood: she was good at working with young people, and she loved doing it.Today, Cathy serves as a school-based director with Big Brothers Big Sisters, supporting mentoring programs for young people across Hawaii. Along the way, she has worked in early childhood education, school administration, accreditation, nonprofit leadership, and youth development.We talk about:🎓 Feeling lost in college, even at a place like Stanford💰 The danger of choosing a career based only on money🔄 Giving yourself permission to pivot🤝 Why relationships and mentors matter🧠 Navigating imposter syndrome❤️ Finding work that is meaningful and “filling your cup”🛤️ Why a circuitous career path can still lead somewhere extraordinaryCathy’s message is especially important for students and young professionals who feel pressure to have everything figured out:Your path does not have to be a straight line, and that’s okay.Listen, follow The Way to College Podcast, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to keep exploring.