A College Senior’s Perspective on College and Career, with Kailey Gamnis

The most important step toward the future is oftentimes just being willing to go for it. For students facing decisions about college, careers, majors, or other postsecondary options, there can be enormous pressure to make the “right” choice immediately. But growth often comes from taking a chance, trying something new, and giving yourself permission to change course along the way. In this episode, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee senior Kailey Gamnis shares what she has learned while navigating college, career planning, and the transition into life after graduation. Kailey reflects on the choices, risks, and experiences that have shaped her path, including spending her freshman year studying in Rome, transferring schools, pursuing a film degree, and completing a corporate internship. Over the course of our conversation, Kailey discusses the importance of following your own direction, rather than simply doing what everyone else is doing. She also shares practical insights about college readiness, building relationships with professors, choosing a major, developing self-advocacy and organization skills, using AI responsibly, and gaining real-world experience through internships. Her message to students is to be brave, put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to change direction as you're navigating on your journey. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.