ROADTRIP NATION PRESENTS

Rerouting Trailer (02:24)
Rerouting

It’s never too late to make a change for the better.

Meet three roadtrippers at a crossroads: Dana, a grandmother who’s worried the workforce has passed her by; Jeremy, a military veteran who’s eyeing a new career path; and Bernita, a mother of two who feels boxed in by her lack of a degree. They’ve all lived a lifetime’s worth of experiences—and now they’re ready for what’s next.

Follow their eye-opening road trip across America as they explore communities keeping ahead of the curve through alternative forms of education and training, and talk to people who are navigating life’s turns with tenacity—and without traditional four-year degrees. Although no one knows exactly what the future of work will look like, it’s clear that it will always hold opportunities for all—and it doesn’t have to leave anyone behind.

FUELED BY:

INSIGHTS FROM THE FILM

“We know that work is gonna change, but I don’t want you to discount or diminish what you bring to the table. A large part of it is just not giving up.”

Nicole Isaac, Director of North America Policy, LinkedIn

“It’s not something people tell you when you’re in high school: You’re going to come up with a plan, but then you’re probably going to have to come up with another plan after that!”

Theo Helmstadter, Owner, Green River Pottery

“Something’s always there telling you, ‘You can’t. You’re not enough.’ What will you choose? Will you choose to give ear to that, or to say, ‘No, that does not have to be my narrative!”

Tia Smedley, Teaching Artist & Poet Mentor, Southern Word

“You can always change your outlook on life. If you don’t like the path you’re on, you can go to something new...if you really try.”

Wilburn Jude, Crew Member, Refresh Appalachia

FEATURED INTERVIEWS

Jerome Hardaway
Founder, Vets Who Code
Nicole Isaac
Director of North America Policy, LinkedIn
Gary Bolles
Chair for the Future Of Work, Singularity University
Ernest Melendrez
Job Specialist, Friends Outside in Los Angeles County
Theo Helmstadter
Owner, Green River Pottery
Tia Smedley
Teaching Artist & Poet Mentor, Southern Word
Wilburn Jude
Crew Member, Refresh Appalachia
Brandon Dennison
Founder, Coalfield Development
Luke Huffman
Property Manager, Coalfield Development
Joe Miller
Director of Engineering, Potomac Photonics

Work is evolving. So can you.

This fall, we’re sending three people on a road trip, fueled by the Lumina Foundation, across the country to meet inspiring leaders who’ve adapted to and found fulfillment in work’s changing landscape. Along the way, they'll learn about new paths to long-term career success, and see how to unlock the education and training they'll need along the way. Follow along as these roadtrippers realize that even if life throws you a curveball, you can still hit it out of the park.

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THERE’S MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM

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FUELED BY:

THE ROADTRIPPERS

Bernita
Jeremy
Dana

Bernita

Detroit, MI

Bernita is a pillar of her Detroit community. An activist and advocate for families, she’s certain she could be even more effective with a little more education. The main roadblock is that time spent in the classroom is time spent away from the people who need her most, so she’s on the lookout for an alternative, fast-tracked path to a degree. Her dream is to start her own non-profit organization. On this road trip, she’s as keen to glean knowledge for herself as she is to represent the people of Detroit. She’s a high achiever with a lot of interests: she's a spoken word artist who loves to play guitar, and she's currently learning how to ride a motorcycle. Ultimately, she’s a person with a big impact looking to make an even bigger mark for those she loves.

Jeremy

Saint Petersburg, FL

Jeremy just hung up his Navy uniform after 17 years of service, and he’s ready for what comes next. His greatest desire is to connect and help people. Whether that will mean becoming a voice for veterans, or something else, he’s still trying to decide. Right now, he’s taking software engineering courses at a local community college, working on a social networking app, and driving for Uber and Lyft. He’s struggled with depression but has found writing, time with family and friends, the proper medication, and being open about his struggles have led him to a really good place. He loves golfing, barbecuing, hanging out with friends, and playing “Hearthstone.” When he joined the Navy, their slogan was “Let the Journey Begin.” Now, he’s eager to start a new one.

Dana

Long Beach, CA

Dana is a globe-trotting horse groomer looking for a more concrete career. After her divorce, she was left with no retirement and doesn’t want to be a burden on her kids. She’s always known working in a cubicle wasn’t for her, but she’s newly open to an indoor job so long as it matches her curious, creative personality. She’s considered going back to college but wants to explore other, less conventional pathways. As much as she loves horses and all kinds of animals, she’s keen on helping humans in her next job. She wants her work to make life better for other people, as it gives her purpose. She loves DIY projects and, in the next two years, she wants to shoot an arrow from the back of a horse, speak fluent Spanish, and learn how to weld!