About This Podcast
The Paperless Pathways Podcast is a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of individuals Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs). It celebrates the diverse paths to professional success and highlights the talent, resilience, and innovation of STARs in various industries.
Paperless Pathways seeks to inspire, inform, and empower individuals on their journey to success, while also advocating for a more inclusive labor market and greater career mobility for all.
Episode 1
Tear The Paper Ceiling Movement: How It All Began
In this debut episode, host LaShana, STARs Advisory Council Chair and, speaks with Byron, CEO and co-founder of Opportunity@Work, about the origins of the skills-first movement, the Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign, and the creation of the STARs acronym (Skilled Through Alternative Routes).
They discuss Opportunity@Work’s mission to unlock opportunities for over 70 million skilled workers and how employers can value skills gained through work experience, military service, bootcamps, and on-the-job training, rather than relying solely on college degrees.
Episode 2
STARs Rise and Shine
In this episode of the Paperless Pathways Podcast, we’re proving that there’s no single path to success! Host LaShana Lewis dives into real stories from STARs (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) who are breaking barriers and building thriving careers—through their paperless pathway.
✨ Rising STARs: Kelly Powers & Ivan Santillan from Opportunity@Work, open up about the challenges and game-changing moments that shaped their careers.
🌟 Shining STARs: LaFawn Davis, Chief People & Sustainability Officer at Indeed, shares how STARs in leadership roles are changing the game for future talent.
Sign up for podcast news and updates
Find resources to advance your career, discover STARs and their stories, and more
About Opportunity@Work
Opportunity@Work is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is enable at least 1 million working adults in America to translate their learning into earning — generating a $20 billion boost in annual earnings. Opportunity@Work engages with corporate, philanthropic, and workforce partners to directly address the barriers that STARs face, recognize STARs talent and remove bachelor’s degree screens. Learn more at opportunityatwork.org.
