Careers Explained

In this episode, Jani-Mikael Kuusisto describes his career path in the corporate world and how he switched over to founding and running his own startup. We discuss: His current role: 0:27: Overview of his current role as CEO  1:26: His schedule balancing being CEO and a Director of another company 2:14: What a typical day or week in his role as CEO entails 3:49: His process of acquiring funding for a startup  5:18: What he does around proof of concept for his product 6:28: How social his role is 7:05: What he likes and finds challenging about his role  8:01: The signs of success for a startup 9:00: His role in recruiting talent  His career path: 10:26: The major steps of his career path 14:08: How he became CEO 15:53: What he learned he did and didn't want in a job 18:15: Opportunities to grow as a CEO Career advice: 19:52: Advice on how to be resilient  21:10: Advice on when to attempt entrepreneurship 23:19: Advice on how to balance practicality with passion in one's career 24:46: Advice on how to develop interpersonal skills 26:06: How to find job opportunities  27:17: Why everyone should think of themselves as an entrepreneur regardless of their career

In this interview, Gabrielle Mauro describes her career path from getting her degree in social work to her current role as a Senior Patient and Customer Experience Specialist for neurosurgery patients and families at Northwell Health. She received his bachelor's degree from Siena College in social work and her Master's degree in social work from Adelphi University. Her previous work experience includes working being a Teacher Aide at Nassau BOCES, a social work case manager at Bethany House of Nassau County Corporation, and a Coordinator of Neurology and Critical Care at Northwell Health. We discuss: 0:50: Overview of her current role 1:44: Examples of the types of programming she creates 3:41: What makes her role unique from patient navigators 4:40: What a typical day and week is like in her role 8:46: An overview of how she supports patients and families 11:25: Her most common roles and responsibilities 13:35: The frequency of the educational programming she runs 14:48: What she likes and finds challenging about her role 17:39: Opportunities for moving up 21:26: How she got into her current role 22:42: The major steps that led to her current role 27:46: Advice on how to ask for what you want 30:01: Advice on networking 33:10: Leadership advice 35:07: General career advice

In this interview, Kellie Bland describes her career path and current role. She is currently a Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of State. She received his bachelor's degree from Elon University in Communications and her Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Her previous work experience includes working as an English Teacher Trainer for the Peace Corps, as a Shriver Peaceworker Fellow for Friends of Patterson Park, and as a Team Development Specialist for AFS Intercultural Programs. We discuss: 0:38: Overview of current role 1:29: Most common roles and responsibilities 3:07: The process and timeline for some of her tasks 4:55: How many projects she works on simultaneously 5:35: What a typical day is like 7:41: Examples of her work outside of on demand tasks  11:04: Additional roles of the job 12:56: The benefit of having diverse and dynamic roles  13:05: Things she likes and finds challenging about her role 14:44: Opportunities for moving up or into different roles 16:12: The process of moving up 18:26: What the training was like for her role 20:51: The prerequisites to getting into her role 22:55: The points of her career path that led her to this role 25:42: The job qualities she learned she did and didn't want along her path 28:03: Advice for reframing the question of "what do you want to do" 28:24: Advice for those who want to follow her path 30:38: Advice on how to explore career options  31:00: Career advice to decrease stress 

In this interview, Erik Schnurstein describes his career path and current role as a Manager of Change Management and Communications for Ford Motor Company, where he has worked for over 20 years. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in French and English and his Master’s in Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University. His previous work experience includes working as a Department Manager of Market Research for CX Group, as an Installation Coordinator for General Motors, and as a Project Analyst and Team Leader for Trilogy International. We discuss: 0:48: An overview of his current role  2:30: Examples of tasks in his role  3:46: His typical roles and responsibilities 4:30: What a typical day in his role is like 15:35: How many projects he typically works on at a time and their average timeline 18:43: Opportunities for moving up 23:33 Tips on how to achieve a promotion 25:30: Additional advice on how to move up 28:51: How he got into this career  34:05: The impact jobs that weren't on his resume had on his career path 40:30: Advice on how to figure out what you want to do 43:14: Advice on whether an MBA is helpful 45:54: Advice on how to strategize your professional development  48:29: Questions to ask yourself about what type of company to work for 49:12: Advice on how to effectively manage your time

In this interview, Mimi Schwanda describes her career path as a teacher and her current role as a high school Math Teacher and a Dorm Head at Episcopal High School. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in mathematics and her Master’s in Education from the University of Virginia. Her previous work experience includes working as a teaching assistant in Andover Massachusetts. We discuss: 00:38: An overview of what she does as a high school Math Teacher and a Dorm Head 1:27: Her typical roles and responsibilities 4:53: Her typical schedule in a typical week 7:55: Her annual schedule 9:28: When she plans her lessons 11:56: Things she likes and finds challenging about the role 14:05: Opportunities for moving up 19:32: What the training entails for her roles 21:36: Why she wanted to be a teacher and work at an independent school 24:00: Why she chose to work at a boarding school 26:10: Advice for aspiring teachers 27:46: Advice on the interview and application process

In this episode, I interview Meredith Davis about her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in English and her master’s in occupational therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her previous work experience includes working as a Concierge at BF Saul, a Circulation manager for France Magazine at the French Embassy, and an Occupational Therapy Assistant at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She is currently a Therapy Supervisor at the League Education and Treatment Center. We discuss: 0:46: An overview of her current role 1:57: What a typical day is like 3:20: The types of problems she helps her students with 4:08: The distinction between occupational therapy and speech therapy 5:58: The typical patient timeline 8:22: How students are typically referred to her 9:33: The process of determining a student's needs and goals 11:40: The level of treatment customization for students 15:02: An overview of the collaboration with other professionals in the role 17:10: The highs and challenges of her role 19:34: The training required for her role 22:00: Why she chose this career path 23:00: What she likes more about her current role than to previous jobs 24:47: Advice for narrowing down one's career interest 26:07: Advice for how to prepare for a career in occupational therapy in college 26:58: General career advice

Today we are talking with Charlotte McLaren about her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in biology and economics and her Master’s in Business Administration from UNC. Her previous work experience includes working as a Sales Analyst for Sun Life Financial, as a Manager of Corporate Development at Premier Inc., and as a Client Executive for IBM. She is currently a Strategic Account Director at Salesforce. We discuss: 0:41: An overview of her current role 1:37: Her typical roles and responsibilities  3:12: The typical process of her sales deals  4:48: The typical timeline of a sales deal 5:41: Examples of what client meetings are about 7:40: Examples of types of products she sells 8:48: How long people typically stay in this role 10:01: How success is measured 12:02: Benefits of the role 13:17: What a typical day is like  15:16: How social the role is 17:52: Challenges of the role  18:50: How she got into this role 21:16: Why she chose Salesforce 22:34: Prerequisites for going into sales 23:37: Pros and cons of getting an MBA for a sales job 26:28: Advice for how to be successful in a sales role

In this episode, Madelyn Buitendorp describes her first role out of college as a Strategy Associate at Penta Group. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in political science and her previous work experience includes working as an Intern with Rock the Vote, as the director of communications for the college crisis initiative, and as a senior admissions fellow for Davidson College. We discuss: - 0:34: An overview of her current role - 1:35: Examples of projects - 2:26: What a typical day or week is like in the role - 6:29: The typical length of projects - 8:14: How projects are assigned - 10:11: What she likes and finds challenging about the role - 13:31: Why she was interested in this role - 16:56: What the training entailed - 19:23: How long people usually stay in the associate role - 21:46: General career advice - 25:09: Networking advice - 28:03: Final advice

In this episode, Caitlin Ranson describes her career path and current role. She received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Studio Art and her Master's in Architecture from Clemson University. Her previous work experience includes working as a Marketing Director for William Rawn Associates, Architects, and as a Designer for McMillan Pazdan Smith. She is currently a Project Architect at Hacker. We discuss: Her Current Role 0:39: Overview of what she does as a Project Architect 2:23: Examples of types of projects she works on 3:59: The typical timeline of her projects 5:00: How many projects she works on at a time 5:39: Her roles and responsibilities 7:35: A typical day/ week in her role 8:56: The most common areas of specialization 10:31: How social her role is 12:30: What she likes and finds challenging about her role Her Career Path: 14:03: Why she wanted to become an architect 15:32: Education and experience required to become an architect 18:15: Opportunities for moving up Advice: 20:18: Advice for choosing your first firm 22:28: General career advice

Today we are talking with Kirsten Allen about her career path and current role. She received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in psychology and her Master's in Sport and Performance Psychology and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. Her previous work experience includes working as a Research Assistant for the US Olympic Committee and as a Sport and Performance Psychology Consultant for the Center for Performance Excellence. She is currently a Sports and Rehabilitation Psychologist at the Shepherd Center. We discuss: Her Current Role 1:05: Description of her current role 2:41: Her roles and responsibilities 4:02: How social the role is 5:23: An overview of her patient interactions 7:01: What she likes and finds challenging 8:15: Examples of collaboration between practitioners 9:30: Her process of assessing patients 11:28: Opportunities for moving up Her Career Path 12:30: An overview of how she got into this path 13:43: How she chose her graduate school program 14:21: Why she got a PsyD in addition to her masters 15:05: The difference between a Ph.D. and a PsyD 16:30: Why she chose sports psychology for her master's instead of social work or counseling 17:24: Differences between masters in psychology specialties 18:09: The difference in ability to practice between 
a master's and a doctorate of psychology 19:38: What can you do as a practitioner with a master's in psychology 21:15: Why she chose a PsyD over a Ph.D. 25:26: Financial differences between a master's and a doctorate 26:28: The timing of psychology graduate school options 28:45: An overview of the internship process 29:45: Post-graduate school steps 30:46: Stipends for Ph.D. vs PsyD 31:39: Options for income during graduate school 32:27: Job qualities she learned she did and didn’t want 34:21: Her plans for creating her own private practice Her Advice: 36:23: Advice for picking a career track in psychology 38:11: Advice on how to get experience in different roles before internship 39:16: Advice for picking a graduate school 40:58: Advice for how to stand out in graduate school applications 43:55: General career advice

In this episode, Maddie Brodrick describes her career path and current role. She received his bachelor's degree from Colby College in environmental policy and philosophy. She has interned with the Maine Conservation Voters, and in the Environmental Crimes Section of the US Department of Justice and is now a Legal Assistant with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Environmental and Natural Resource Department (ENRD), Environmental Enforcement Section (EES). We discuss: Her current role: 0:40: An overview of the Department of Justice Pathways Program for recent graduates 1:14: Her current role and main responsibilities 3:04: What a typical week is like 4:03: Examples of projects she works on 4:40: What she likes and finds challenging 6:26: Opportunities to learn 9:50: How social the role is 10:58: How many projects she works on simultaneously Her career path: 12:15: Why she was interested in this role 13:36: How she got this role 15:39: Characteristics she has learned she does and doesn’t want in a role Advice 18:38: Advice on applying to jobs 18:52: How applying to a federal job was unique for her

Listen to Alex Stoller describe her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Art History and Studio Art and her master's in Exhibition Design from George Washington University. She has worked as a Lead Designer for the Sweetlife Music Festival, as a Designer and Project Manager for the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington DC, as a Store Designer and Project Associate for Sweetgreen, and as a Director of Art for Swatchroom. She is currently an Art Consultant for LK Art Consultants. We discuss: 0:39: What she does as an Art Consultant 1:41: Her main roles and responsibilities 4:15: How much traveling she does in her role 5:37: The purpose of travel in her role 5:55: The difference between her role and an art broker 7:16: Examples of types of projects she does and the steps they entail 11:56: What she likes and finds challenging about the role 14:00: Opportunities for moving up 14:57: The biggest points in her career path that led her to this role 16:15: Why she went to grad school for design 17:18: Her jobs before her current role 19:27: Career advice 19:47: Other job opportunities within art 21:22: Whether graduate school is necessary to move up 22:01: How she started her own company 23:49: Ways to prepare now for a career in art 25:24: Advice on how to get experience in the art world 26:51: Advice on persistence

In this episode, Mike Jucewicz describes his career path working for the federal government in finance roles and what he currently does. After college, he worked for seven years in the US Army as a Financial Management Analyst, as a Student of the Defense Comptrollership Program, and as a Lead Budget Analyst. He is now a Senior Budget Analyst at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller. We discuss: His Current Role 0:46: An overview of the Office of the Secretary of Defense  1:28: An overview of his role as a Senior Budget Analyst 3:29: His most common roles and responsibilities 6:02: The steps of vetting a budget request 8:10: The timeline of a budget oversight process 8:55: What a typical day/week is like 11:28: What determines his goals on projects 13:18: A breakdown of how social his role is 15:35: What he likes and finds challenging about his role 17:35: An example of a crisis situation that impacts his responsibilities 21:10: An overview of government job pay scales  His Career Path 23:29: Career path steps that led to his current role 26:19: How the Army paid for his graduate school 26:50: What drew him to the Army 27:38: The pay scale on his federal career path 28:39: What he's learned he does and doesn't want in a role 30:07: Clarifying the distinction between his role and accounting roles 32:46: How he chose what qualities to prioritize in a job Advice:  35:40: General career advice 37:53: How he leveraged his network in an unusual way to get on his current career path 40:03: The importance of balance in one’s career

In this interview, Tomás Husted describes his career in foreign affairs research and what he does in his current role as an Analyst of African Affairs at the Congressional Research Service. After getting his bachelor's degree from Davidson College, he worked as a Research Associate for the Congressional Research Service and as a Strategy and Development Fellow for the International Rescue Committee. We discuss: His career path 0:34: His original career interests 3:00: Why he chose to be a research associate 4:54: How he got his role at the Congressional Research Service  6:55: An overview of the Princeton in Africa Program 9:35: How his experience living in Africa shaped his career path His current role 12:58: An overview of the Congressional Research Service 19:23: Examples of common tasks in his role 28:53: His biggest roles and responsibilities  31:29: What he likes and finds challenging about the role Advice: 36:57: Advice for careers in foreign affairs  38:41: General career advice 40:36: Tips for how to be a better writer  47:00: Tips for how to be a better presenter

Today we are talking with Anjan Mukherjee about his career path and current role. After getting his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Music, he worked in a variety of research roles including as a Research Associate for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and as a Research Director for US Senator Chris Coons and for the League of Conservation Voters. He then was a Partner at Hone Strategies, a communications and strategy agency, before founding his own strategic communications firm, Tunlaw Strategies where he is currently a Principal. We discuss: His career path: 0:52: What his original career interests were 3:13: His career path from political research to strategic communications 6:47: Why he switched roles when he did 6:57: What to expect for job duration in politics  7:44: Why he switched industries from research to strategic communications 8:21: What he loved about opposition research  11:34: His role as a Research Director for Senator Chris Coons 13:37: His experience working for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee 15:14: His experience working on a presidential campaign  His current role: 21:03: His pivot into communications 23:42: The factors he looks for in a role 25:11: Keys to success in communications he learned through experience 26:16: What a communications strategy firm does 30:06: Examples of types of projects in his current role 32:46: The typical duration of projects 34:31: What a typical day/ week is like 38:18: How social his role is  40:09: Advice