• ROADTRIPS
  • CAREER EXPLORATION
    • Luke Huffman

    Luke Huffman

    Property Manager

    Coalfield Development Corp

    Huntington, WV USA

    “I got tired of living someone else’s dream. It was my turn. Quit fighting it and just go live it.”

    Videos

    By Roadtrip Nation

    Luke Huffman

    Highlight
    Now Playing
    00:53
    Luke Huffman HighlightInterview Highlight
    Now Playing
    03:48
    InterviewThe Interview
    Now Playing
    01:19
    My Daughter Is My Driving ForceWeb Exclusive
    Now Playing
    00:37
    If You Wanna Go Back To School, Then Do ItWeb Exclusive
    Now Playing
    01:11
    Day In The Life Of A Property Manager For A NonprofitWeb Exclusive
    Now Playing
    02:04
    I Changed My Career In Order To Start Giving BackInterview Excerpt
    Now Playing
    00:51
    Don't Live Someone Else's DreamInterview Excerpt
    Now Playing
    00:53
    My Career PathInterview Excerpt

    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