OSU-OKC partners with The Lifelines Initiative to connect students with career and financial literacy opportunities
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Media Contact: Page Mindedahl | Communications Coordinator | 405-945-6733 | page.mindedahl@okstate.edu
On Monday, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City partnered with The Lifelines Initiative to host 150 high school students for the inaugural Everything Earned Youth Financial Literacy and Careers Experience.
The event connected students with industry professionals through hands-on activities focused on financial literacy, career exploration and professional development.
The Lifelines Initiative is an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth through arts, education and community outreach programs that provide mentorship, meaningful opportunities and personal development experiences.
Rocky Bratton, founder and executive director of The Lifelines Initiative, said the event was created to help students feel more confident about their future by exposing them to career paths, mentors and real-world guidance.
“Becoming an adult can be scary, especially when trying to decide what to do after high school. This event opened students’ minds to a wide array of career opportunities by bringing together business and community leaders to share their journeys and knowledge, helping these young men and women understand that success doesn’t happen overnight but is earned through hard work and dedication,” said Bratton. “Not every child has guidance and support at home, but Everything Earned was designed to change that by connecting teens with mentors and delivering relevant, real-time knowledge that helps them lead, earn, and build their future. We’re so grateful to OSU-OKC and our community partners for helping make this empowering event possible.”
Students from Millwood, Western Heights and U.S. Grant high schools attended the event and participated in sessions focused on college affordability, career readiness and financial literacy.
Students also heard from industry professionals representing fields including the creative arts, public safety, health and wellness, finance, STEM and skilled trades to learn more about career paths and future opportunities.
Throughout the day, students attended breakout sessions based on their interests and career aspirations, where professionals shared personal experiences, career advice and insight into their industries.
In the creative arts breakout session, students heard from Krystal Yoseph, owner of Konjo Concepts; Nicole Poole, founder of SPARK! Creative Lab; and Cody Cramer, OSU-OKC director of marketing and communications. Panelists shared career advice and answered questions from students about networking, entrepreneurship and personal growth.
“Be kind to people. My network is everything to me. People may not remember what you said to them, but they’ll remember how you made them feel,” Poole said. “Build your network now so you can create more opportunities later.”
Building meaningful relationships was a recurring theme throughout the discussions, with speakers emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences and maintaining strong connections.
“You are the company you keep. Surround yourself with people who will hype you up and hold you accountable,” Yoseph said. “Those people will hold you to the same standards you set for yourself. Know your circle and keep it tight.”
Donovan Wrice, an incoming senior at Millwood High School, shared that he hopes to become a veterinarian or entrepreneur.
“I wanted to come today because I saw an opportunity to gain knowledge from people who have already gone down the path I want to take to become successful,” Wrice said. “I wanted to learn what college is like from professors and people who may have recently graduated. I’ve learned a lot about scholarships, how to secure them and how to communicate with people when building your business.”
Organizers hope the inaugural event will continue to grow in the future and inspire more students to pursue higher education, career opportunities and financial independence. Through partnerships like this, OSU-OKC and The Lifelines Initiative aim to create pathways for students to build confidence, develop professional connections and prepare them for long-term success.