Vet tech graduate Julia Mensen loved animals since her teens. Though she wanted to work with and around them, she never thought she would want to enter into veterinary medicine. After years of working in pet stores and as a veterinary receptionist, she became more comfortable and wanted to expand her knowledge. 

As she became more confident and inspired by her peers working in the clinic, she decided to enroll in Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician program. After successfully completing her studies, she now helps new veterinary students hone their skills, with a specialty in dentistry. Listen to hear her story.

Meet Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Graduate Julia Mensen

2024 New York Institute of Photography grad Dennis Beaulieu shares his photography journey with interviewer Lauren. He talks about how NYIP’s online program helped him build confidence, improve his skills, and prepare for future challenges. Dennis also highlights the importance of networking, following your passion, and how education can make a difference at any age.

NYIP Interview With Photography Graduate Dennis Beaulieu

Lauren talks with Nikita about her journey as a recent graduate from Penn Foster's childcare program, diving into her passion for working with special needs children. Nikita gets into the challenges faced by parents in finding suitable childcare, her motivation for pursuing further education, and the flexibility of online learning. She also shares with us the importance of support from family and offers advice to those considering a career change. Nikita tells Lauren about her aspirations to open a daycare that caters to special needs children and the impact she hopes to have in her community.

Interview with Child Care Professional Graduate Nikita Coleman

Ever wondered what it's like to finish high school entirely online? Wyatt, a Penn Foster High School grad, talks about his experience making the switch from a traditional classroom to online learning. He shares how working at his own pace helped him balance school with extracurriculars and why having a plan and clear goals kept him motivated. If you're thinking about online school or just curious about how it works, Wyatt’s got some great advice and insights to share!

Interview with High School Graduate of the Year Finalist Wyatt Taylor

Lauren speaks with Jenny Fox: fashionista, entrepreneur, and owner of Fox Styling PNW. She transformed her love of styling and creating with others into a fulfilling career, and her work has even been in VOGUE!

How did she get started? With the Personal Style Course at NYIAD!

Jenny took control of her style--something she struggled with during the pandemic in 2020--and enrolled in the Personal Style Course. She shares her learning journey and how her final class project became a legit business.

Today, Jenny offers personal styling for individuals stuck in a rut or looking for something special. She also produces fashion shows and LGBTQ+ events in the PNW.

You can find Jenny at:
https://www.foxstylingnw.com

Learn more about NYIAD's Personal Style Course:
https://www.nyiad.edu/courses/personal-style

Interview with Personal Style Graduate Jenny Fox

Lauren sits down with Haley, an Ashworth College graduate and this year’s Graduate of the Year winner, to chat about his journey. Haley talks to us about why he chose to get his criminal justice degree from Ashworth, what it was like going to college online, and how he landed his first job out of college as a paralegal. He tells us how he stayed motivated, set goals, and made frequent use of Ashworth's learner resources. Plus, he offers some great advice for anyone thinking about going back to school and talks about what’s next for him—including applying to law school!

Interested in criminal justice? Learn more about Ashworth's BS in Criminal Justice:
https://www.ashworthcollege.edu/bachelors-degrees/online-criminal-justice-degree/

Read our interview with Haley on the Ashworth blog:
https://www.ashworthcollege.edu/blog/2024-ashworth-college-online-graduate-interview/

Interview with Ashworth College Graduate of the Year Winner, Haley Yegorov

In this episode, Jenny, Jess, and Kristin dive into what the job market looks like in 2025! They break down the hottest job opportunities, share expert tips on crafting a standout resume, and dish out interview strategies that actually work.

From tailoring your resume to showing up authentically in interviews—and even mastering the post-interview follow-up—they cover it all. Plus, Kristin brings her insider knowledge from talent acquisition to help job seekers get ahead in a competitive market. Don't miss this packed episode full of actionable career advice!

5 Jobs You Need to Know About in 2025
https://www.pennfoster.edu/blog/in-demand-careers

Top Healthcare and Medical Careers for 2025
https://www.pennfoster.edu/blog/top-healthcare-and-medical-careers

Where the Jobs Are in 2025: Is This the Year You Land Your Dream Job?

Are online high school and homeschooling the same thing? Not quite! In this episode of Fostering Conversations, Lauren breaks down the differences between the two. If you want to learn how each works, the level of parental involvement required, and how factors like accreditation, curriculum structure, and grading vary between them, check it out!

Plus, we answer two of the most common questions about Penn Foster: Is it accredited? And how do you turn in assignments? 

If you’re thinking about homeschooling or an online high school or are just curious about alternative education, this episode has all the tea!

Is Penn Foster High School Homeschooling?
https://www.pennfoster.edu/blog/is-penn-foster-homeschooling

Learn more about our online high school program:
https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school

Is Online High School The Same As Homeschooling?

Is it too late to go back to school as an adult? Jess and Jenny break down what it’s really like to return to school later in life. They discuss the challenges adult learners face, share study and time management tips, and offer words of encouragement to help you stay motivated. Plus, hear inspiring stories from graduates who have successfully earned their diplomas and degrees at any age. If you’re considering furthering your education, this episode is for you!

Go back to school at any age:
https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school/for-adults

Got questions about returning to high school as an adult? We've got answers!
https://www.pennfoster.edu/blog/going-back-to-school-as-an-adult-faqs

Should You Go Back to School as an Adult? What You Need to Know!

Jenny, Jess, and Dr. Andy Shean discuss how AI and LLM (language learning models) can be used in education to help students and teachers. They get into how AI could be an affordable tutor, but that it is somewhat unreliable and to be cautious. 

Meet Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Graduate Julia Mensen

Penn Foster

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