by Jinru Granger
Other Paths Besides College
The traditional path of attending college can open many doors, and for a lot of people those doors lead to successful careers, including becoming business owners. That’s one reason parents, teachers, and counselors often encourage students to take the college route—they want young people to have opportunities.
But college has never been the only way to build a successful future. Many entrepreneurs have created careers, companies, and meaningful community impact without ever earning a degree. Trades, apprenticeships, and hands-on experience can also help students grow the skills they need to start businesses or work in fields they’re passionate about.
Today’s world gives young people more options than ever, which is why I wanted to talk with someone who built a business through experience rather than college. That brings me to my interview with Michael Huhn.
Michael Huhn’s Path To Success
To understand what success can look like outside of college, I interviewed Michael Huhn, a local carpenter and owner of Huhn Remodeling Group. Michael remodels homes and works directly with clients on custom projects. While he was still in high school, he wasn’t the kind of student who felt motivated to attend college. While his strengths weren’t reflected in his grades, he discovered early on that he enjoyed being on job sites, fixing cabinets, helping with repairs, and learning with his hands.
Michael told me he developed most of his skills through real experience—not from textbooks or traditional classes. He knew college wasn’t the right path for him, so he followed the work he was naturally good at. Over time, he built confidence in his abilities and eventually turned those skills into his own remodeling business.
One of the main things Michael said during our interview was:
“When you have an idea, do it and take action.”
He explained that not everyone will support you at first—friends, family, or even coworkers may doubt your plans. But once you begin to succeed, those same people start to admire the work you’ve done.
Michael also shared advice for students who aren’t sure whether college is the right path for them. He believes it’s important to understand the field you want to enter and to think about where that industry is heading over the next 10, 20, or even 30 years. He said students should explore what they enjoy doing, try real work if possible, and pay attention to the skills they naturally pick up. For him, learning on job sites taught him more than any classroom ever could.
Conclusion
To summarize, success should not be defined whether a student attends college or not. Michael Huhn’s story clearly shows that success doesn’t always require a college degree. Effort, creativity, and determination can lead to opportunity. His journey proves that skills learned on the job can grow into a successful business. There are opportunities in the trades, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship for those willing to work hard. Just remember, college may be a path for some students, but it is not the only answer for all.
Mini Bio On the Author
Jinru Granger is a Senior at Wauwatosa East High School. In his free time, he enjoys running, skiing, and playing tennis. He hopes to pursue an entrepreneurial career and a health care profession. Jinru participated in the Elmbrook School District’s LAUNCH program. For his particular project, Jinru wrote this blog post, as well as helped plan and host a networking event for students.