Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Luke Huffman

Highlight

Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Born in West Virginia, but moved to Palm Beach, Florida when I was three years old—moved back to West Virginia when I was 14 and it was a massive culture shock.
After high school, I attended a community college in Illinois, where I played baseball.
Attended Marshall Community and Technical College, where I earned my associates’s degree in physical therapy.
While I was still in college, at 21 years old, my daughter was born—I had to raise her pretty much by myself for the first few years of her life and went to school right alongside her.
After college, I worked as a physical therapist assistant for over eight years—I truly loved it, but after a while, I got tired of doing it day-in and day-out.
I took my passion for helping people and started a community development group that helped feed and clothe local children.
Began volunteering with Coalfield Development, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the development of Appalachia and its people.
Eventually, I took on a full-time position working as a property manager for Coalfield Development, where I help oversee the various projects and properties we work on.

Education

High School
Associate's Degree
General Studies
Marshall Community and Technical College
Associate's Degree
Physical Therapy/Therapist
Mountwest Community and Technical College
Certification/License
Lead Paint Abatement
Certification/License
Clandestine Meth Lab Remediation
Certification/License
Mold Remediation
Certification/License
Forklift
Vocational
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

Career

Property Manager

I manage the property and projects for a community development organization.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

You have to have a passion for helping other people and be involved in your community (or the community you want to serve). Resourcefulness is a skill native to the people of Appalachia and it's something everyone should have. You have to make the best of what you have and know how to do whatever it takes to get to where you want to be. Always be willing to keep on learning. Honesty and respect always go a long way.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Start volunteering and advocating for your community and the causes you care about. Do whatever you can to help. If you want to make a career change, take the time to get educated whether it's through college, certificates, or on-the-job training programs.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"Who are these guys? Why are they here trying to change things? It can't be good."

Challenges I Overcame

Relocation
Young Parent
Career Change

Interviewed By

Rerouting

Rerouting

Future of Work Roadtrip