Senior Tyler Leung set his sights on joining the Marines at just seven years old. This fall, he will take a step closer to that goal by joining the Platoon Leaders Class at Texas A&M University, a program that provides a direct path to the Marine Corps after graduating from college.

“One day at wrestling practice, a recruiter showed up, and I was able to just connect with him and ask a lot of questions. He introduced me to what the Marine Corps was really about,” Leung said.

Coming from a tight-knit family, Leung said he was drawn to the Marines for their strong sense of camaraderie and community.

“Chinese [people], we specify the family part and having close ties. I’ve experienced it myself, just like the people who I have to work out with. We form really strong bonds with each other. We eat together, we play together, we work together,” Leung said.

Leung said he views the Marine Corps as an entry into the intelligence world. With government clearance and hands-on training, he can develop skills for future careers.

Ultimately, Leung said that what appeals to him the most about the Marines is the chance to build long-lasting skills.

“I want to become a better leader and develop a lot of soft skills, like leadership, being able to organize yourself, and having a lot of self-discipline,” Leung said.

When senior Inci Yagmurlu lived in Turkey, she attended an art center in addition to her regular studies. After moving to the U.S. in her sophomore year, Yagmurlu could no longer attend the school. She turned to computer science as an alternative path, before realizing the field of design was where she belonged. Pursuing that interest, Yagmurlu plans to major in product design at the Parsons School of Design in New York City in the fall.

“I just realized that I was meant for something more creative and more vague and more influential,” Yagmurlu said.

Yagmurlu said that her decision to major in product design was influenced by her love for creating spaces that feel full of life.

“I always had [a] love and passion for furniture because I think that furniture is really important,” Yagmurlu said. “I love making up a room and making it full of life.”

Yagmurlu is considering whether to switch her major and study design and technology. However, she said one thing is for certain: her excitement to spend the next four years in New York City.

“I feel like going to school in New York, in that diverse city, and in that chaotic energy, would equip me the most with the most inspiration, with the most artists, and more networking opportunities,” Yagmurlu said.

Senior Mark Daly never wanted to pursue a routine job, so when he discovered firefighting, he knew it was right for him. Next year, Daly plans to attend the College of San Mateo’s (CSM) Fire Technology program to prepare himself for a career in firefighting.

“I decided to become a firefighter because I didn’t want to pursue a regular desk job and I knew that I want[ed] to do something that’s more meaningful and something where there’s something new every day,” Daly said.

He intends to join the San Mateo County Fire Explorer Program to learn more about the duties of a firefighter.

“I’m probably going to sign up for [the explorer program], so once I become a student at CSM and take courses, I would have some knowledge on the capability of handling tools and conversation concepts,” Daly said.

According to Daly, the path to becoming a firefighter is challenging and requires him to take a series of difficult tests. He expects the process to take at least two years, but said being recruited directly after taking college classes is uncommon.

“Realistically, no one’s going to hire a firefighter at the age of 22 because they said at the youngest they usually hire is 25, so I will probably take a job part-time while I am waiting to get my application through the fire departments,” Daly said.

From Monday to Friday, senior Carson Fellion clocks in every afternoon, working as an apprentice-in-training to earn his tattoo license. Fellion, who plans to pursue a career in tattooing, hopes to open his own tattoo business in the future. But for now, his training covers a broad set of skills, ranging from using a tattoo machine to developing strong client communication.

“First, [my instructor] has been showing me [the] dynamics of art… knowing how to use a tattoo machine, how to put it at the right depth through the skin,” Fellion said. “Not only that, but how to know how to talk to your clients and how you want your clients to come to you.”

Although he has yet to tattoo anyone, Fellion developed artistic skills from an artwork business he launched in 2020.

“I had a little bit of clientele… wanting drawings and portraits and custom shoes,” Fellion said. “My full-time job is tattooing, but on the side, I would like to create art.”

Coming to work five days a week, Fellion said his discipline will help him reach his full potential as an artist.

“Having that commitment and wanting to go to work every day of the week before even graduating is something that not a lot of kids want to do,” Fellion said. “I’m here to put the grind in and be in the shop every day so I can become the best artist I can be.”