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Blog Archive: Exploring Career Options

When Mimi Duong’s parents emigrated from war-torn and politically tense Vietnam in the 1980s, they wanted more opportunities and a safe place for their children to grow up. They ended up in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where they started a successful business and sent all four of their children to…
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For families with a high school senior, now is when most college acceptances arrive in full force (congratulations!), and with them, financial aid offers. It’s an exciting time and—let’s face it—also a bit overwhelming as deadlines loom: Most colleges require a deposit by May 1. That means that…
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Are you the parent of a high school student? If so, welcome to one of the most formative phases of your student’s life. While the path to college or career training is definitely your student’s journey, as a parent you play a major role—both financially and from a practical perspective. You’re the…
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When she was in her mid-twenties, Lauren Craig thought she had hit a dead end on her career path. Fortunately, with some heavy encouragement from a friend and some financial help from Öйú¾º²ÊÍø, some new doors opened, and today, she’s working in a job she loves. “I’ve kind of jumped around a lot, with…
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Eden Towers, a young woman who is studying to be a paramedic, is no stranger to hardship and hard work. Fortunately, she’s had equal parts luck along the way. Eden grew up in Morrisville, the oldest daughter of a single mom. “Being in a household with a single parent, raising two kids, had its…
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Eight high schools are now teaching a new, much-anticipated course to strengthen math proficiencies in high school students before they graduate. Dozens and dozens of students have enrolled in Essential Math for College and Careers, or EMC2, at Green Mountain Union High School, North Country Union…
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Theo Avent is an engaging, articulate leader who brings people together to inspire change. He’s had a longstanding interest in politics. Add in the fact that he’s the son of a white mother and an African American father, and you’d be sure we were talking about President Barack Obama, not a 20-year…
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When Gail Trede started her college path she was in her mid-50s. It started because she had earned the opportunity to take an online class at no cost through volunteer work. But she was reluctant. She didn’t think she was smart enough. Her confidence was so low, someone else had to actually sign her…
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Fexhrije Ilazi had two years left of college when she was forced to end her pursuit of a degree. She was living in Kosovo and the war there left both her homeland and her dreams in smoldering ruins. Fexhrije eventually moved to the United States as a refugee with two little children. She didn’t…
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Meghan Lewia helps keep people healthy now, but she does so from behind the scenes. She is a friendly voice and guiding hand in making sure patients, many with chronic conditions, are getting the tests and regular care they need. Meghan’s plan is to get out of the office and into some scrubs. She’s…
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