Faculty Publications

Episode 32: The Crooked Career Path: From Physical Education Major to Safety Guru

Document Type

Podcast

Journal/Book/Conference Title

The Next Step Podcast: Adulting 101

Issue

32

Abstract

In this new mini-series, Nikki explores crooked career paths and how individual have used transferable skill sets to sell themselves in a new industry. The first episode features her husband, Matt Harken, Manager of Safety and Environmental Engagement at GROWMARK. He explains his role in helping promote safe, compliant practices in agriculture services that feed and fuel the world. He recounts a non-linear trajectory: a scholarship football player who started as an accounting major, switched to PE education after struggling in macroeconomics. He taught driver’s ed and coached at his hometown school, then lost his dream of becoming head coach. A new opportunity led him to college football coaching and operations, then to water well drilling, and later into agricultural safety through transferable skills like sales, project management, and leadership. He discusses how he developed his leadership style and urges students heading to college to chase your heart, and advises graduates to say yes and get off the fence.

Department

Department of Communication and Media

Original Publication Date

7-30-2026

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