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© 2025 The College and Career Ready Podcast | empowering students for the careers of tomorrow
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Join your host Sonia Cacique on a transformative journey preparing high school and college students for real world careers, equipping them with practical skills, professional experiences, and career guidance.
As a dedicated career guidance counselor, career coach, and education leader, Sonia has spent her entire career empowering the next generation for the future workforce. With her expertise, she helps students develop self-awareness, motivation, and career guidance, building the essential skills needed for success in both their educational and future professional journeys.
Coach Sonia is ready to shift the focus from GPA, class rank, and grades to career connections, self-identity, character development, and real-world skills. She aims to challenge the traditional narratives and provide students with a comprehensive approach to education and career readiness. Changing lives for our next gens, one student at a time.
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103 Episodes
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In this special 100th episode of The College and Career Ready Podcast, I’m reflecting on my journey as a career coach, educator, and podcaster to provide parents with insights on how to support their teens in preparing for their future. From starting as a pharmacy technician to becoming a Career and Technology Education expert, my non-linear path taught me valuable lessons about career guidance, self-discovery, and the power of connections. This episode is packed with actionable advice to hel...
In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, I dive into a topic that’s close to my heart: how parents can best support their children as they transition from high school to college and beyond. I’ll talk about the power of self-discovery and why it’s so crucial for students to truly understand their strengths, values, and interests before taking that next big step. I also share my own career journey, including the twists and turns of my non-linear path, to show that there isn’t on...
What if the first step in your career could open doors you never imagined? Join me, as I share my journey from being a first-generation college graduate to becoming a certified pharmacy technician, to an educator and now as your Career Coach and holding a Master of Science Degree. This episode celebrates National Pharmacy Technician Day by honoring the crucial role of pharmacy technicians in healthcare and beyond. I recount my experiences at San Jacinto College, where I faced the challenges ...
Harnessing Alumni Networks: A Journey from Campus to Career In this episode of 'College and Career Ready,' host Sonia Cacique introduces Quincey Hettinger as they continue the conversation. Together they explore her experiences as a student at Brigham Young University. Quincey shares how involvement in the Student Alumni Association shaped her college experience, provided leadership opportunities, and helped build meaningful connections that furthered her career. The discussion emphasizes th...
Navigating College and Careers: Insights from Quincey Hettinger In this episode of College and Career Ready, host Sonia Cacique interviews Quincey, a resilient individual who successfully transitioned from high school to college and then into a fulfilling career at PepsiCo. Quincey shares her journey from entering college undecided and utilizing resources such as clubs, career development classes, and real-world networking to find her career path. She discusses the importance of exploring int...
In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, host Sonia Cacique welcomes Khalil Vinson, the founder and CEO of TechFest Live. Khalil shares his mission to bridge the technology gap for black and brown students through TechFest Live, an ed-tech nonprofit organization. They discuss the importance of identifying student interests, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the broad opportunities technology offers across various industries. Khalil also provides insights into the upcoming T...
In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, we sit down with Sophia, a high school senior from Turner College and Career High School in Pearland, TX. Sophia shares her inspiring journey of discovering her passion in STEM during her junior year. Like many students, Sophia wasn’t always sure what she wanted to pursue, despite trying various activities like sports, arts, and writing. It wasn’t until she took a CAD course at Alvin Community College that she found her true call...
Embrace a Fresh Start: Top 3 Tips for Your New School Year! In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, host Sonia Cacique, shares invaluable insights to help students make a successful transition into the new school year. Sonia discusses the top three focus areas that can enhance your academic and personal growth. Don't miss out on this chance to start a fresh new school year and make meaningful strides in your educational journey. Tune in for actionable advice and inspiring t...
Unlocking College Success: Expert Tips on Choosing the Right College In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, Coach Sonia spoke with her special guest Michelle McAnaney, founder and lead independent educational consultant of the College Spy. Michelle shares invaluable insights on the college selection process, discussing factors such as return on investment, understanding various college cultures, and the importance of finding a school that fits a student's unique needs. She ...
In this episode, we dive into the critical question of how to determine if the career or degree program you’ve selected is truly the right fit for you. This discussion is essential for high school students, college students, and recent graduates who may have doubts about their chosen paths. The episode provides thought-provoking exercises to help listeners critically evaluate their career choices and motivations. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies to ensure your career aligns with y...
The Power of Connections in Career Success In this episode of 'College and Career Ready,' host Sonia Cacique emphasizes the importance of building connections for high school and college students. Sonia, a former educator and now a career coach, shares her personal journey and how connections with mentors and professionals influenced her career growth. She offers practical advice on networking, gaining career clarity and even finding hidden scholarship opportunities for students. After thi...
In this episode, Coach Sonia explores the emotional rollercoaster that comes with starting a new school year or trying something new. Also, don't miss out on the announcement of a full tuition scholarship for STEM students at Houston Christian University. Join us for valuable insights and encouragement to embrace new challenges with confidence. 00:00 Introduction: Embracing New Beginnings 01:27 Personal Experience: Hosting My First Event 03:57 Facing Fears: The Journey to Overcome Anxiety...
Maximizing Your College Experience: Career Insights with Reena Friedman Watts In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, Coach Sonia welcomes Reena Friedman Watts, host of the Better Call Daddy podcast. Reena shares her inspiring journey from college radio to working on shows like the Jerry Springer Show and Nanny 911, and transitioning into marketing and podcasting. They discuss building meaningful connections, exploring career paths, and leveraging life experiences to achieve ...
Building Connections: Connor's Journey from College to a Career in Sports In this episode of the College and Career Ready Podcast, Coach Sonia welcomes Connor Potkonjak, a fourth-year commerce and international business student at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Connor shares his process of building crucial connections within the sports industry, including how a LinkedIn cold message inspired by the College and Career Ready Podcast led him to a meaningful info session with Yvet...
The Power of Connections: Anthony Newton's Journey from Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader In this podcast episode, Sonia interviews Anthony Newton, CEO and founder of Kaduceus Holdings, about his inspiring career journey. Anthony shares his inspirational journey from his early days in Houston, through a pivotal mentorship by his high school teacher Ms. Betty Brown, to becoming a leader in educational and medical training. He discusses how his diverse experiences and exposure to dif...
In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, Sonia interviews Amelia Sofjan, a passionate educator and recent founder of Masterpiece an Acton Academy. Amelia shares her inspiring journey from immigrating to the U.S. at age 11, discovering her passion for teaching and chemistry, to pursuing a dream career in pharmacy education. She discusses her innovative approach to teaching, emphasizing the importance of character development, freedom, and responsibility in learnin...
In this episode, Coach Sonia discusses what colleges and universities seek beyond GPA and class rank in college applications. She reflects on her experience at the QuestBridge College Launch event with admission representatives from top colleges such as Bowdin, Dartmouth, Pomona College, and Rice University. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the college admissions process, advising students to highlight their struggles, personal growth, and unique stories in their applic...
Do you wonder why so many adults are pivoting careers? Are you wondering why this trend is happening in the workplace today? Listen in to this week as Sonia interviews Bryan Hill, a former teacher turned business owner who discusses the importance of students identifying their purpose or 'why.' Together they explore how understanding one's passions and motivations can guide career and college choices. Bryan shares his background and experiences, emphasizing the significance of human connectio...
Ready to prepare your teens for college? Tune in to our latest episode with licensed professional counselor Lauren Wolfe as she shares invaluable tips for helping your adolescents transition smoothly to college life. In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, we have as a guest a licensed professional counselor Lauren Wolfe. Lauren, who has over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families, discusses key strategies for preparing adolescents for the transitio...
Unlock Your Adolescent's Potential: Essential Tips for a Transformative Summer Break How you can help your adolescent maximize their summer break? By building character and developing essential skills. Whether you're a parent or an adolescent yourself, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to ensure a productive and enriching summer. Episode Highlights: Discuss Summer PlanningInternships and Job OpportunitiesSummer Classes and WorkshopsVolunteeringSkill Developme...
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