Takeaways

• Chris DePriest has spent a decade in arboriculture, focusing on tree care and management in the great outdoors.
• Chris shares memorable experiences that highlight the dangers and rewards of his work.
• Chris's journey into arboriculture was unexpected but fulfilling, stemming from a passion for nature.
• He reflects on the importance of self-control and personal growth in his career. Parental guidance can shape career choices positively.
• Job loss can lead to valuable life lessons and new opportunities.
• Hands-on experience is crucial in finding career fulfillment.
• A gap year can provide perspective and gratitude for one's home country.
• Networking is key to discovering job opportunities.
• Proving oneself through hard work is essential in any field.
• Learning from mistakes is vital for personal and professional growth.
• Emotional intelligence is important in team dynamics.
• Finding what energizes you is crucial for career satisfaction.

In this authentic and encouraging episode of VoQuest, host C.W. Elliott sits down with his lifelong friend Joe Minner, an automation engineer who proves that career success doesn't require a master plan—just following the next breadcrumb God puts in front of you.

Joe's journey began when their mutual friend Chris mentioned a community college program his dad was "making" him attend. With no clear career direction and dreams of being an airline pilot or forestry worker, Joe decided to check out OTC's Industrial Controls and Automation Technology program. That single decision launched a career path he never knew existed.

Discover how Joe went from serving tables at Red Lobster to programming the industrial computers that run the machines you see on "How It's Made." Learn why he believes community college vo-tech programs offer incredible value and accessibility, especially for students who don't have family connections to guide them through college applications and financial aid.

Joe shares honest insights about the engineering world, including why the best internship candidates are those who admit they don't know everything, how networking means "talking to adults" (not just your peers), and why his company's culture of people "standing around talking" actually produces excellent work.

Get practical advice on building confidence through repetitive work, leveraging homeschool self-learning skills in professional settings, and why the three-legged stool of humble curiosity, work ethic, and integrity is the only resume you really need.

Key Topics:

• Why you don't need to plan 12 steps ahead in your career
• The hidden world of industrial automation and manufacturing
• How community college can launch engineering careers
• Real talk about internships: "You're not supposed to know anything"
• Why networking means stepping outside your age group
• Building confidence through mastering one thing before moving to the next
• The value of practical, hands-on education vs. traditional university paths

Perfect for: High school students unsure about their path, those considering community college, anyone interested in engineering but intimidated by traditional routes, and parents looking for alternatives to four-year university programs.

In this episode of VoQuest, host C.W. Elliott sits down with Grant Booker, a sourcing manager at SpaceX's Starlink division, to explore what it's really like working at one of the world's most ambitious companies. Grant shares his non-linear journey from struggling through college engineering courses to landing his dream job at the company launching 82% of all mass sent to orbit.

Discover how Grant overcame imposter syndrome to thrive in SpaceX's high-performance culture, where every employee is held to an incredibly high standard in service of making humanity multi-planetary. Learn about SpaceX's rigorous 6-step, 3-month interview process, including an hour-long presentation to an 8-person panel of engineers and directors.

Grant reveals the key mindset shift that changed everything: instead of trying to find his identity as "an engineer" or "a salesman," he focused on core values like problem-solving and serving others. This values-based approach opened up possibilities he never imagined and ultimately led him from selling packaging materials to SpaceX to managing procurement for satellite components.

Get an inside look at how Starlink actually works—from the 7,000+ satellites in orbit serving 6 million customers to the laser technology that can hit a pancake-sized target 3,000 miles away on something moving 15,000 mph. Plus, hear about Starship, the 330-foot rocket designed to run on fuel that can be manufactured on Mars.

Key Topics:

• Why values matter more than passion in career planning
• How to overcome imposter syndrome in high-achieving environments
• The importance of becoming as valuable as possible in any role
• SpaceX's mission, culture, and incredible launch statistics
• Practical interview tips for competitive companies
• Building experience and networks while in college
• Why being comfortable with discomfort is essential for career growth

Recommended Resources:

• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
• "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins
• "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
• Cal Newport's books: "How to Win at College," "How to Become a Straight A Student," "So Good They Can't Ignore You"
• Jim Rohn's "The Art of Exceptional Living"