Road Trip Nation to visit IU campus Wednesday

In 2001, a neon green RV lumbered down the highway with the words, "What's your road, man?" painted on its side. The RV crossed the country, stopping in San Francisco, Boulder, Colo., Austin, Texas and other not-so-famous cities. All kinds of people have stepped inside the green RV to talk, hang out and write on the walls. Howard Schultz, chairman and founder of Starbucks, went inside. Beth McCarthy, director of Saturday Night Live, got her chance to sign the ceiling. Even Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Computer, spent some time inside the RV that is the centerpiece of Road Trip Nation. \nLike many students, the four Pepperdine University graduates who founded Road Trip Nation felt pressure to conform to society and take traditional jobs like being a doctor, accountant or teacher. \n"There was a lack of exposure," said Brian McAllister, one of RTN's founders. "We wanted to know what else was out there." \nMcAllister and the green RV will be on the IU campus April 13. He wants to know how IU students are finding their own roads. Students will be able to go inside and see the messages from those who were interviewed. McAllister will also be giving a presentation on how students can join RTN and what grants are available. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. in room 251 of the TV/Radio building. \nThis summer, three RVs will be sent out on the road for five and a half weeks. Those aboard will interview students and leaders in various careers to find out, "What's your road, man?"\nThe RV will be parked outside the Radio/TV building all day Wednesday. Students are welcomed to discuss their path in life with McAllister. \nSo the four graduates piled into their vibrant RV and set out to talk with people in various jobs from all walks of life. They wanted to find the road that was right for them. \nJeremy Podany, IU's senior assistant director for employer development, said RTN wanted to know how these leaders found their own road. \n"They asked the question: 'How did you get to where you are today?'" said Podany. \nAnd they found out. They found out why Tom First started Nantucket Nectars. They found out how Academy Award winner Dennis Muren got into the visual effects business. They even found out why Manny the Lobsterman loves catching lobster. \nMcAllister said that most people "love to talk about themselves." \nRTN also received advice from these leaders. Besides explaining why he started a juice company, First told RTN that "there are a million different paths to get (to your career) and everyone thinks there's one ... there isn't one."\nBoston Philharmonic Conductor Ben Zander told RTN, "It's important to know what you're after." \nMichael Jager, creative designer of JDK Design Company told RTN, "You really just have to go with what you believe in and what you really want to do." \nMcAllister said his favorite interview was with Manny the Lobsterman, because he didn't follow anyone's expectations but his own. "He finds so much success in a day's catch," said McAllister. \nThroughout their journey, RTN documented their findings. The stories of these leaders and more are available for all students. RTN's first season, "The Open Road," can now be seen on PBS. \n"Everyone who watches the show is exposed to the career possibilities," Podany said. \nMcAllister said they're hoping to show students that they're not alone in figuring out what they want to do with their lives. Everyone, no matter how successful, has gone through the same experience. \n"We want to inspire students to dream their own dream," said McAllister. "It's all part of a growth." \nNow RTN is taking a different path. As part of their new season, "Behind the Wheel," they're encouraging students to go on their own road trips and set up their own informational interviews. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Sarah Walden at sawalden@indiana.edu.