From Bagging Groceries to Earning a PhD: Dr. Justin Rittenhouse’s Journey from Grit to Guidance

“There’s no way I can bag groceries for the next 40 years.”

That’s the moment it shifted.

That was when Dr. Rittenhouse had the epiphany, the desire to go to college. But how would he navigate college? He had no idea what he would major in. No one in his family had ever gone to college. He would be the first-generation Rittenhouse who would go to college.

Dr. Justin Rittenhouse didn’t come from legacy academia or a long line of engineers. He came from a working-class family, his dad a mechanic, his mom a factory worker. No one around him knew how to apply to college. FAFSA? Scholarships? Mentors? All missing.

However, what he had was curiosity, work ethic, inspiration from an athlete, Kobe Bryant, and eventually… clarity.

On this episode of STEAM Sparks: Think STEAM Careers, I sat down with Dr. Rittenhouse to talk about the life-defining moment when he realized that stacking produce at a grocery store was not going to be his forever.

“I was working at a store when a delivery truck pulled up. I saw the driver unload cases like clockwork, and I thought… is this it? Could I do this for 40 years?”

That question led to action.

The Book He Needed, So He Wrote It:

Dr. Rittenhouse’s book, The Secret Keys to a STEM Degree, offers practical advice on scholarships, internships, and navigating the industry, solutions to challenge many faces.

“Everyone talks about step 10. I just needed help with step 1.”

That’s the heart of this episode.

Real-World Wisdom You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Positioning matters.

  • It’s not about being perfect. It’s about knowing how to show up. “Recruiters care less about your GPA and more about how you can help the company.”

• Experience is everything.

  • He was told he couldn’t get an internship without already having one. So, he found a way to build early experience and teach others to do the same.

• AI as the great equalizer.

  • Dr. Rittenhouse sees AI as a mentor for students who lack guidance, providing judgment-free, patient support and powerful learning opportunities, making mentorship accessible to all.

• Impostor syndrome is normal.

  • “When I entered the industry, I thought I knew so much, but then I realized how little I really knew. That feeling is common. You’re not alone.”

• Identity doesn’t disqualify you. It fuels you.

  • He talks openly about growing up with a cleft palate and getting a scholarship because of it. “I don’t hide it. It’s who I am.”

Why This Matters:

If you’re a:

• First-gen student wondering where to start

• Educator trying to help students feel seen

• STEM professional looking to mentor others

• Or someone who wants to hear a real, unfiltered story of grit and growth…

This episode is for you.

Dr. Rittenhouse is proof that your past doesn’t define your ceiling. It just adds more depth to your success.

The Secret Keys to a STEM Degree is available now on Amazon.

Watch and listen now. Get inspired. Pass it on. Tag someone who needs to hear this.

Full episode of STEAM Sparks Podcast is on BuzzSprout, Spotify, Google, and YouTube: https://youtu.be/-f_aebZ58F4

Authored by Dr. Ayo Olufade, Host of STEAM Sparks - Think STEAM Careers

Website: steam-sparks.com

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