On Career High by Pega6, host Jeremy Smith speaks with Brian Riddick, Principal of Butler College Prep in Chicago and a founding staff member of the Noble Schools campus. Brian shares his 13-year journey at Butler, from founding English teacher to launching the school’s college team, and how that experience shaped his approach to helping students connect high school, college, and long-term careers with more clarity and purpose.
Brian explains that at Butler, college is the North Star. With “college” literally in the school’s name, the message starts early and stays consistent through freshman orientation, parent meetings, and ongoing student support. But Brian also emphasizes the importance of “threading” the conversation for students, helping them understand not just that they should go to college, but why it matters, how to make choices along the way, and how those choices connect to the real world.
The conversation dives into Butler’s approach to career exploration through early college seminar programming, strengths and interest assessments, and multiple internship pathways, including partnerships with Genesis Works, Urban Alliance, and a unique summer research internship with Northwestern School of Medicine focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia research in communities of color. Brian and Jeremy also discuss the practical tensions between college prep and career connected learning, including the reality that many students do not have the luxury of time and must think early about earning, debt, and employability.
Key Moments
04:39 "College and Career Readiness Focus"
07:08 Aligning Passions with Career Choices
12:33 "Student Internships and Career Skills"
14:54 "Success Looks Like Me" Origins
19:46 College Prep vs Career Readiness
21:42 "Preparing Students for Next Steps"
25:50 "Lessons from Post-Katrina New Orleans"
29:43 "Supporting Students Through Connections"
30:59 "Reflecting on 13 Years"
Why You’ll Love This Episode
A real look at what it takes to build college going culture while still honoring career realities. You’ll hear how a Chicago principal connects academics, internships, and life skills into a coherent pathway for students, and why alumni support and trust-building matter just as much as GPA and test scores.
About Career High By Pega6
Career High is the podcast that spotlights principals transforming high schools into launchpads for real-world success through career-connected learning, industry partnerships, and innovative pathways.