Pathways of Vermont is a documentary series of short career stories that examine the prevalent stereotype that a four-year college degree is the only path for a successful career. Beyond individual stories, the bigger picture of Vermont’s economy supports the availability of alternative career paths.
GS Precision Coatings machined metal parts and coatings start local and travel far. From Brattleboro, Vt. to the aerospace industry, these Vermont-made parts can be found on space equipment, commercial jets, and as part of U.S. defense systems.
Standing behind the integrity of those parts is Bryce Fletcher.
Fletcher, quality control manager for GS Precision Coatings, loves the variety of his job. He studied at the GS Precision school while working in a starting role as a CNC machinist, and as he studied at the company’s on-site school, he found immediate opportunity to apply what he was learning in real-time. “You didn’t really have any time to forget,” he said with a smile. “You would learn it and then go implement it.”
Fletcher had been planning to go to college, but didn’t want to take on student loans, and instead, decided to attend GS Precision’s program, paid for by the company and Vermont Technical College. Without the overhead of debt, Fletcher’s career path was lucrative for him from the beginning. After his time as a CNC machinist, he moved up into a quality engineer role, then became a sales engineer before earning his current management role.
Fletcher’s career also gives him the opportunity to enjoy a healthy life-work balance. Outside of work, he’s proud to call Vermont his home base. He loves mountain biking, dirt biking, and travel and says he’s looking forward to continuing to grow his career.
Angela Snow is the producer behind the Pathways of Vermont series. With 15 years of filmmaking and project management experience, Snow lives in southern Vermont. This series will showcase real Vermonters’ lives, highlighting people in nursing, manufacturing, and carpentry.
Pathways of Vermont is a documentary series of short career stories that examine the prevalent stereotype that a four-year college degree is the only path for a successful career. Beyond individual stories, the bigger picture of Vermont’s economy supports the availability of alternative career paths.
Marian Kidd is a lead carpenter, a career she’d been working toward since she took her first steps in the field. As lead, Kidd finds the freedom to take on different roles and solve problems creatively throughout the building process, from building walls to installing windows. A woman in a predominantly male industry, Kidd derives satisfaction and the empowerment of self-reliance from working with her hands. Kidd was encouraged by musician parents to attend college, but instead chose to attend a six-week basic carpentry training program for women. One of the course’s teachers hired Kidd after her graduation, and she learned the rest of what she knows on the job. Kidd has found plenty of opportunity in Vermont.
Originally from Portland, Ore., Kidd started considering a move to Vermont after a visit, admiring the state’s stunning views and left-leaning political atmosphere. Today, she loves the state’s distinct seasons, noting that long winters make Vermont’s lush, verdant summers all the more precious. Here, Kidd says her independent, self-reliant values are reflected and supported by the community surrounding her. She weaves using a loom a neighbor passed along, works in her garden, and still enjoys playing the piano.
Angela Snow is the producer behind the Pathways of Vermont series. With 15 years of filmmaking and project management experience, Snow lives in southern Vermont. This series will showcase real Vermonters’ lives, highlighting people in nursing, manufacturing, and carpentry.
Jeffersonville native Will Kuntzelmann and his wife Erica have some exciting news to share—Smugglers Notch RV Village is officially open for the season and will be welcoming guests until October 2024. Nestled conveniently on Vermont Route 108 South, right between Jeffersonville and Smugglers Notch Resort, the RV Village is the newest addition to Vermont’s beautiful camping scene.
With 60 full hookup sites, they’ve got everything you need for a comfortable stay: water, sewer, power connections, wireless internet, picnic tables, fire pits, and more.
Will knows a thing or two about hospitality. His parents ran the beloved Jana’s Cupboard and The Cupboard Deli in town, a place full of fond memories for many locals, including Erica, who remembers dining there with her grandparents.
Will’s vision for Smugglers Notch RV Village is to create the perfect home base for Vermonters and tourists alike to explore the area. He’s infused the campground with Vermont’s charm, even designing the camp office and bathhouses to resemble a classic sugar house. And let’s not forget the stunning view of Mt. Mansfield!
Just steps away from hiking trails, swimming holes, world-class frisbee golf courses, fishing, and biking, there’s something for everyone. Will has worked hard to preserve the natural beauty of Vermont in the design of the campground and is beyond excited to kick off the first season and make it a memorable summer for all of their guests.
Stay connected with them on Instagram @smugglersrv_village and give them a like on Facebook. For more information and to book your stay, visit smugglersnotchrvvillage.com or call them at 802-335-2118. Don’t wait too long—reservations are filling up fast!
Come and experience the beauty and adventure that Smugglers Notch RV Village has to offer.
This story was provided through a partnership with VtSBDC. Since 1992, VtSBDC has provided professional expertise and friendly guidance to thousands of business owners statewide. Whether you are an experienced business owner, a first-time entrepreneur, or a student with the spark of an idea, VtSBDC provides support through one-to-one, no fee, confidential advising as you Start. Grow. Thrive. Transition.
Pathways of Vermont is a documentary series of short career stories that examine the prevalent stereotype that a four-year college degree is the only path for a successful career. Beyond individual stories, the bigger picture of Vermont’s economy supports the availability of alternative career paths.
Elissa Piascik, R.N. loves the night shift at Woodridge Nursing Home, where she’s been a charge nurse for almost 14 years. The night shift lets her go with her body’s natural sleep cycle – she has that in common with her mother, who was also a night shift nurse.
At Woodridge, Piascik works primarily with seniors. “I just really like to be able to take care of people that need the extra help,” she said.
Before becoming an R.N., Piascik was a licensed nursing assistant for eight years. A Pathways program at that job, funded by Central Vermont Medical Center, gave her the opportunity to become a licensed practical nurse. From there, Piascik spent a few more years in school to become a registered nurse (R.N.) While some nurses go for that license right out of high school, Piascik wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to follow, and after having kids, she wasn’t in a position to take on more school right away. Despite stereotypes about not following a traditional college career path, Piascik has found success, satisfaction, and contentment in her work, and she knows she’s made a real difference in the lives of her patients.
“There is never going to be a time, if you are a nurse, that you do not have options for a job or to go anywhere you want (in your career),” Piascik said.
She and her husband are able to own their home and vehicles and provide a good upbringing for their kids. Her career success gives the family the opportunity to take vacations, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful background of their Vermont lives. They love the atmosphere of closeness and community they find in Vermont’s small towns. “It seemed like we fit,” she said. “We found where we were meant to be.”
Angela Snow is the producer behind the Pathways of Vermont series. With 15 years of filmmaking and project management experience, Snow lives in southern Vermont. This series will showcase real Vermonters’ lives, highlighting people in nursing, manufacturing, and carpentry.
Living and working in a state that is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest in the nation is closer than you think. Learn more about nursing in Vermont.
Healthy communities require safe streets and sidewalks; inclusive gathering places and green spaces for everyone to enjoy; and easy access to medical services and fresh food. If you live in a rural town in America, these things can be hard to come by. Join Suzanne Kelley and Richard Amore in Small Towns, Healthy Places, the podcast that explores the intersection between health equity and community design in the State of Vermont. They’ll interview state partners, local leaders, and community members about creating vibrant places that support health and wellness. If you’re passionate about public health, improving the built environment, and placemaking, this podcast is for you.
About this episode
We’ve talked a lot on this show about community projects that inspire ordinary people to get involved in making the places they call home better.
The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development supports many of these grassroots projects through the Better Places program. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll explain what the Better Places program is and share how it empowers community leaders to create more vibrant, inclusive, and accessible places in small towns across Vermont.
Listen to this podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
