Joust About Careers Podcast

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2000 VB graduate Dr. J. Michael Weiss-Holmes, who is a Professor of Saxophone and performer. In this episode, Michael shares how he developed the skills necessary to become both a performer and professor, why performers typically travel with their own instruments, how he doesn’t fall into the starving artist category, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a musician or professor or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Michael shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:07 - A typical day for a professor of saxophone.2:30 - Performance and teaching are both a large part of Michael’s career as a musician.5:06 - Michael plays a variety of instruments and also sings.6:07 - Upon finishing high school, there were no plans to earn a doctorate degree.8:46 - Advice for those who want to go beyond a bachelor’s degree in the music industry.9:56 - Not all artists are starving, and there are many positions in the arts beyond teaching and performing.12:39 - Michael did spend some time working for music-related companies.14:46 - High school students can get involved with music associations before they graduate.16:55 - Traveling with a saxophone18:38 - The positives and challenges of a career as a saxophone professor and performer.22:44 - Many of Michael’s students have gone on to career success in the music industry.24:21 - What Michael knows now about careers that he wishes he had known when he was in high school.Questions?Connect with Michael on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jmichaelholmes). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2018 VB graduate Lydia Reineke, who is a Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist. In this episode, Lydia shares how she is in the career field she chose to pursue during her junior year of high school, why she decided to double-major in Speech and Hearing Science and Spanish and how she uses both of those majors today, why she decided to earn her master’s degree at Arizona State University, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a speech-language pathologist or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Lydia shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:11 - A typical day for Lydia as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Fellow.3:07 - Speech-Language Pathologists work with people who have had life-altering events that affect the ability for a person to swallow food.5:06 - Lydia figured out she wanted to become an SLP during her junior year of high school.6:13 - Double-majoring in Speech and Hearing Science and Spanish.8:24 - Still able to finish school in four years even with two majors.10:13 - The value of being able to speak Spanish with students and patients.13:01 - Bilingual SLPs are a bit hard to find where Lydia works.14:01 - The decision to attend Arizona State University.16:19 - SLP offers a lot of flexibility as a career.17:42 - What Lydia loves (and tolerates) about being an SLP.21:30 - People need to make their careers work for them to live the lives they want to live.Questions?Connect with Lydia on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/lydia-reineke-m-s-ccc-slp-269551366/). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2020 VB graduate Tyler Arbaugh, who is an outside sales representative and former Division I track & field athlete at the University of Oregon. In this episode, Tyler shares how his career path shifted from finance to sales, what it was like to be a student-athlete at the University of Oregon, how being a building science nerd helps him in his career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in sales or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Tyler shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:13 - Every day is different for an outside sales representative - phone calls, visiting job sites, working on the computer, and more.2:39 - Tyler is based in an 84 Lumber store in Middlesboro, KY - some projects are over two hours away, and he occasionally has to travel back to Perrysburg, OH.4:00 - Tyler’s original career focus was finance.5:20 - Advice for college track athletes after competing for the University of Oregon.7:27 - Starting at Lowe’s as a Fulfillment Associate is what led to a sales career.8:42 - Training vs. Innate Ability (and competitiveness)9:18 - What people misunderstand about sales.10:51 - Sales skills are transferable to many other careers.11:44 - Even though he’s not in finance, Tyler still works with numbers a lot.12:59 - Is a degree necessary to be successful in sales?14:03 - Tyler had difficulty transferring credits from Oregon to the University of Findlay.14:43 - Effective communication, relationships, integrity, math, and a desire to learn are essential in sales.16:08 - Tyler describes himself as a “building science” nerd.17:21 - Living in Oregon and Tennessee18:49 - Don’t put yourself in a box when it comes to careers.Questions?Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tyler-arbaugh/). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 1994 VB graduate Amy (Kuhn) Hoffmann, who is a biocompatibility and medical device expert. In this episode, Amy shares how chemistry has play an important role in her career journey, how a wide variety of degrees can help a person get started in the medical device field, how her current employer, Project Medtech, started as a podcast, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in biocompatibility and medical devices or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Amy shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:12 - A typical day as a biocompatibility and medical device expert2:44 - Chemistry has played in almost all of the jobs Amy has had.3:44 - Pressure is part of this career, but it isn’t overwhelming.5:38 - Amy has worked on all kinds of medical devices.6:36 - Amy had a strong interest in biology and chemistry even in high school.7:11 - Co-op opportunities led Amy to the University of Cincinnati.8:55 - Detergents - not what you might think9:55 - A degree in a field doesn’t limit a person to working in that field.11:25 - Are advanced degrees needed in this field?12:49 - Working with clients (those creating medical devices like an insulin pump) is Amy’s favorite part of her career.14:26 - Keep your options open, and consider a more general degree if you want to enter this field.16:08 - Even when Amy was working with a device, she might not have known how it would eventually be used.17:05 - It can take years for a device to become available for use.17:55 - Amy helps people bring their products to market, find investors, etc.19:04 - More about Project Medtech - it actually started as a podcast.21:26 - People don’t need to know exactly what their career pathways will be when they graduate from high school.Questions?Connect with Amy on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/amy-hoffmann-4425659/). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2020 VB graduate Alyssa (Potteiger) Stewart, who is a certified athletic trainer at Tiffin University. In this episode, Alyssa shares how her love of sports led her to become an athletic trainer instead of a physical therapist, how CCP classes affected her college academics and athletics, the wide variety of places where an athletic trainer can work, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as an athletic trainer or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Alyssa shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - A typical day for a certified athletic trainer1:55 - What is “stunt?”2:38 - Alyssa definitely isn’t alone when she is working with the football team.3:41 - Alyssa’s responsibilities as an athletic trainer.4:55 - Sports Medicine Aide vs. Certified Athletic Trainer5:30 - Licensed vs. Certified Athletic Trainer6:33 - Alyssa originally thought she wanted to be a physical therapist7:00 - Her love of sports led her to become an athletic trainer.8:24 - 3 + 2 programs and College Credit Plus9:13 - Giving up a fourth year of college athletics - Alyssa’s experience10:23 - Balancing college athletics and academics11:30 - Positives and challenges of a career as an athletic trainer13:16 - Characteristics need to be successful as an athletic trainer14:40 - Work schedule as a trainer15:17 - What has surprised Alyssa most about being an athletic trainer15:55 - Alyssa’s future plans16:26 - Career options as an athletic trainer17:10 - Advice - research careers while in high school.Questions?Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-stewart-mat-lat-atc-65a10b371/). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2010 VB graduate Silver Viera. In this episode, Silver shares how her education at The Ohio Academy helped her start in the cosmetology field, how it took time to build her customer base, why she values having her salon, Silver’s, in downtown Findlay, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in cosmetology, want to own your own business, or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Silver shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:12 - A typical day for Silver as a cosmetologist and entrepreneur1:48 - Silver’s typical hours2:32 - Silver provides a variety of cosmetology services, including for weddings.3:56 - The interest in a cosmetology career has always been there for Silver.5:00 - The decision to gain her education at The Ohio Academy.7:04 - Program options at The Ohio Academy7:48 - 1,500 hours were the minimum for Silver to become a licensed cosmetologist.8:51 - There are quite a few cosmetology schools in Ohio.10:40 - Moving to Cleveland after graduating from The Ohio Academy was a bit of a struggle.12:40 - Trust is a huge factor in this career because customers care about their hair.14:02 - Supporting downtown Findlay businesses is important to Silver because it is her community.15:49 - Silver is part of a retail association of downtown businesses.16:56 - Being her own boss is a great aspect of Silver’s career, but it does create a lot of responsibility.18:22 - There was limited business training at The Ohio Academy.19:11 - Salon owners must have licensure in addition to being a licensed cosmetologist.20:11 - Salon owners and cosmetologists need to have and exhibit confidence.21:50 - Creating a business plan is essential to anyone wanting to start a business, especially since there are over 50 salons in Findlay.Questions?Connect with Silver on Facebook or Instagram (@SilversFindlay). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is former member of the VB Class of 2020 Karis Brown. In this episode, Karis shares how the multiple positions she holds at IMG Academy lead to plenty of variety on a daily basis, how adding a minor to her major in college helped when applying for jobs, how her experiences led to career opportunities, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in education or still exploring your options, I hope that what Karis shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:16 - Karis holds a variety of positions at IMG Academy (Assistant Head of House, Special Project Manager for Learning and Development, and Special Project Manager for Recruiting and Development, Assistant Head of Summer Camps), so she experiences variety every day.5:16 - IMG Academy is structured like a college, but it is a high school.6:58 - Karis’s post-high school plans did not include her current career, but she is still working with students.9:00 - Experiences have played a key role in Karis’s career journey, from a summer camp in Maine to teaching in Colorado.14:16 - A minor is usually not too much extra work beyond a major in college.16:08 - A sport management minor didn’t hurt when Karis was looking for a job at IMG.17:48 - There are challenges in Karis’s position–work/life balance can be difficult–but she appreciates the relationships she has been able to develop.20:02 - Characteristics of people who are successful in Karis’s position21:49 - A good personality, drive, and an ability to communicate open many opportunities for people to grow.Questions?Connect with Karis on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/karissa-karis-brown-b688831a5/) or reach out to me for her email.Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is medical assistant and 2010 Van Buren graduate Katelyn DeVore. In this episode, Katelyn shares how she became a medical assistant after working for ten years in another field, how perseverance has been invaluable on her journey to becoming a medical assistant, what she values most about her career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a medical assistant or still exploring your options, I hope that what Katelyn shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:08 - How a typical day looks for a medical assistant.3:50 - Katelyn works in a hospital.4:50 - When Katelyn graduated, she spent one year at BGSU but received her medical assisting certification through Blanchard Valley Health Center.5:58 - Working in housekeeping at the hospital for six months led to this opportunity.6:55 - Becoming a medical assistant required learning, but it was worth it.7:36 - Medical assistants are in high demand.7:55 - The training requires both classroom work and hands-on training.10:00 - Care coordinators, medical assisting, and other career opportunities are available, and Blanchard Valley offers many growth opportunities.11:40 - Certification vs. On-the-Job Training12:55 - Opportunities for advancement and tuition reimbursement13:30 - Katelyn felt she was in over her head when she started, but she is more comfortable now.14:40 - Katelyn works with multiple healthcare professionals daily.16:39 - The best parts of being a medical assistant.18:37 - The challenges of being a medical assistant.23:14 - Katelyn’s advice - take school seriously.Questions?Connect with Katelyn on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/katelyn-devore-37640a344/) or reach out to me for her email.Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 1998 Van Buren graduate Jason Wagner, who is an art educator, entrepreneur, and musician. In this episode, Jason shares how working at a summer camp led to amazing career opportunities, including backpacking across Europe; how he sometimes looks at his career as a compilation of side hustles; how success requires hard work going hand in hand with talent; and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a teacher, entrepreneur, artist, or still exploring your options, I hope that what Jason shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - A typical day for Jason as a teacher and entrepreneur2:15 - TimberFork Studio is more of a seasonal job employing former students.3:10 - The business side of being a musician takes time.3:40 - Jason is where he thought he would be at this point in his life when he graduated from high school.5:10 - Opening Molten Mud Studios came immediately upon graduating from Columbus6:37 - Having to sell a business was humbling.7:11 - Working at Camp Chateaugay - taking a leap.10:20 - Losing his house in the 2007 flood led to a sabbatical from teaching to travel12:04 - Backpacking through Europe and blogging along the way13:45 - The Simpsons, a universal language15:38 - Working at a summer camp - a great start for networking for both college students and young teachers looking for an adventure.17:35 - Music - career or side hustle?18:33 - Music has allowed him to have experiences with his son.19:37 - Other VB grads are part of Jason’s music experience.21:03 - Advice for student artists - there is money to be made as a creative person22:57 - Design careers are very competitive23:40 - Talent and hard work go hand in hand.24:22 - Jason was in choir, band, show choir, and more while at VB.26:20 - What Jason knows now about careers that he wishes he had known when he was in high school - the impact he can have on students and the impact they have on him are profound.Questions?Connect with Jason on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jason-wagner-a104965/) or reach out to me for his email.Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! We’ve been on a break for a couple months, but we are back in the new year with more stories of VB graduates. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2004 Van Buren graduate Caleb Etzler, who is a bank operations manager. In this episode, Caleb shares how a college job led to his career, the “unexpected” careers in the banking industry, the importance of typing and using Excel in his career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in banking or still exploring your options, I hope that what Caleb shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:07 - How a typical day looks as a bank operations manager3:09 - Computers, banking, and cyber security4:05 - Caleb entered the banking field as a travel teller to make extra money for college, but that led him to his career.6:10 - Originally considered counseling and education careers7:49 - How banks are similar and different from each other.8:55 - “We’ve always done it this way….”9:58 - Internships - not always readily available in banking10:31 - A mission trip in college acted as an internship.12:54 - Other careers in the banking industry14:48 - Banks are in business to make money, not just hold money for patrons.16:11 - Positives and challenges of a career in banking18:15 - A willingness to learn is essential to starting in the banking industry.18:54 - Learning to type and use Excel were the most useful topics Caleb learned in high school that he uses every day.20:51 - It all comes down to people - relationships matter.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Caleb on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/caleb-etzler-6984a1114/) or reach out to me for his email.

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2018 Van Buren graduate Maria Trusty, who is a GLP Archivist. In this episode, Maria shares how a campus job at Ohio State led her to her career, the many places archivists can work, how her career goals have changed, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as an archivist or still exploring your options, I hope that what Maria shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:07 - A typical day as a GLP Archivist.2:57 - Maria is a specialized archivist.3:48 - Paper data is more difficult to maintain than electronic data.5:53 - Going to Ohio State and majoring in English - the only things Maria knew she wanted to do when she graduated from VB6:38 - A campus job at one of Ohio State’s libraries led her to this career.6:57 - The move away from journalism8:39 - Changing career direction as a senior in college9:45 - At least a bachelor’s degree is needed, but a master’s degree is often needed to become an archivist.11:20 - The things archivists get to see and explore13:03 - Libraries do have some strange non-book items.14:53 - Legal offices and large companies value the skills of archivists for records management.16:13 - The positive and difficult parts of a career of an archivist20:25 - Interested in this career? Get experience and don’t be afraid to take a chance.22:39 - Kent State is the only school in Ohio which offers a master’s degree in library science.23:25 - The job market for archivists is a bit tight, but specializations matter.25:00 - Pay attention to how to make a resume when in high school!Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Maria on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/maria-trusty-3ab46a267/) or reach out to me for her email.

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 1998 Van Buren graduate Lee Salisbury, who is the founder and Chief Creative Officer for UnitOneNine, a boutique creative agency. In this episode, Lee shares how his life looks much different today from how it looked when he started his business, how he experienced the reality of “fake it until you make it,” the opportunity people have today to start a business with low risk , and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a founder or designer or still exploring your options, I hope that what Lee shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:11 - How Lee’s daily routine has changed as his career has evolved.2:09 - Lee originally thought he would pursue either a music or engineering career.3:34 - Making the transition from engineering to visual design6:08 - A visual designer today with no formal art training before attending Ohio State8:38 - Experiences helped learn to deal with people, determine what people want in designs, and see how big businesses work.10:35 - Fake it until you make it is real11:57 - Participating in the Forbes Agency Council has pushed Lee out of his comfort zone.13:40 - Lee’s advice for those starting businesses - leveraging AI is a no-brainer.15:30 - “Continuous improvement beats delayed perfection every time.”17:30 - Difficult aspects of owning a business18:44 - Testing a product has never been easier than it is now, so people can test businesses before jumping in with both feet.19:53 - Lee has faced people questioning his future success.21:49 - What Lee wishes he had known about careers when he was in high school.23:10 - Find out what you are passionate about - that’s the goal.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Lee on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/eldoublee/) or reach out to me for his email.

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2007 Van Buren graduate Katherine Wilkins, who works as a Senior Computational Biologist. In this episode, Katherine shares advice for students looking to attend a highly selective university, how she ended up earning her PhD from Cornell, the positives and challenges of her career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a computational biologist or still exploring your options, I hope that what Katherine shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - A typical day for a senior computational biologist2:47 - Katherine didn’t know this career existed when she was in high school.3:20 - Important to her to be helping others3:45 - Case Western Reserve played a big part in Katherine’s career journey.4:55 - Advice for students wanting to attend a highly selective university6:00 - Katherine doesn’t hire a person based on the university attended - there’s more to it.8:57 - Advice to students who have high academic goals, such as a master’s degree or PhD11:30 - National Science Foundation Research Experience14:02 - Success Katherine has had at Agilent Technologies16:28 - The positives and challenges of a career as a computational biologist.19:14 - Other career options related to computational biology21:45 - The pathway to a career in computational biology23:27 - What Katherine knows now about careers that she wishes she had known in high schoolQuestions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/katherine-wilkins-b2884b10/) or reach out to me for her email.

This week's guest is 2015 Van Buren graduate Brooke Klausing, who works as a nuclear medicine and PET/CT technologist. In this episode, Brooke shares how she ended up in nuclear medicine when that wasn’t even on her career radar in high school, the positives and challenges of her career, the importance of high school science classes, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in nuclear medicine or still exploring your options, I hope that what Brooke shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - A typical day for a nuclear medicine technologist2:23 - What a nuclear medicine technologist does3:07 - A radioactive “pig”3:51 - The differences between nuclear medicine and X-rays5:05 - Finance was the first career choice, but one class changed that.6:36 - Also considered physical therapy, but six years of education seemed intimidating7:13 - Nuclear medicine requires a bachelor’s degree.8:08 - Earning a master’s degree - good but not necessary for someone in nuclear medicine9:26 - The job outlook for nuclear medicine is good in 2025.11:28 - The radiology “umbrella” is very broad.12:06 - Working at a mobile PET/CT clinic part-time - not all jobs are in hospitals12:52 - The challenges and positives of a nuclear medicine career.14:05 - The nuclear med tech doesn’t have to deliver bad news.14:26 - Advice for people pursuing a career in nuclear medicine15:09 - Physics, chemistry, and anatomy all play a role in this career.16:01 - You never know where your education will take you.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brookeklausing/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

This week’s guest is 2015 Van Buren graduate Thomas Wolford, who works as an airline captain. In this episode, Thomas shares how he decided to become a pilot, the various paths a person can take to become a pilot, the benefits and challenges of this career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a pilot or still exploring your options, I hope that what Thomas shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:07 - A typical day as an airline captain2:29 - Guidelines pilots have to follow3:39 - Difference between a captain and first officer3:58 - A common misperception4:44 - Requirements to be hired and become a first officer and captain5:32 - Originally planned to become an aeronautical engineer6:40 - University of North Dakota is the cream of the crop for people who want to become pilots7:29 - Attending a Part 141-registered program leads to a smoother path to becoming a pilot8:50 - The University of North Dakota and BGSU’s aviation programs - similar but different9:23 - The effects of hypoxia11:31 - Being hired before even finishing an aviation program11:55 - High demand for pilots - bachelor’s degree no longer required13:00 - Piloting drones and airplanes - similarities and differences13:55 - Still demand for drone pilots14:40 - Stepping from regional to major carriers16:05 - International flights are a goal, but seniority matters18:35 - Planes are planes, but size and age impact the piloting experience19:55 - Mach, knots, and how speed works in the air21:25 - Benefits of being a pilot for a regional or major carrier22:57 - Challenges of being a pilot25:00 - Earning a private pilot’s license is a great first step toward becoming a pilot.26:00 - Cadet programs are very valuable.26:47 - There will be ups and downs on every career journeyQuestions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/thomas-wolford-b0535a12a/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to season six of the Joust About Careers podcast! This is still the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2015 Van Buren graduate Essma Kheiry, a Creative Production Manager at Forge Biologics. In this episode, Essma shares how her career is a mix of graphic arts and film, how internships helped her figure out what she did and didn’t want as a career, the value of certifications, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career mixing graphic arts and film or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Essma shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:15 - A typical day as a creative production manager2:10 - Marathon Petroleum and Forge Biologics - similar jobs, different workplaces2:40 - Graphic design the focus3:37 - Working as a team4:28 - Always interested in graphic design, which worked out well5:45 - What is a gaffer?6:10 - Experience with film production was valuable8:00 - Value of internships10:02 - Taking an internship after full-time employment in the field12:25 - Certifications vs. a degree14:40 - Technical knowledge a must15:55 - Creative freedom - positive aspect17:34 - Advice for people who want a film career19:35 - All jobs have negatives at one time or another.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Essma on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/essma-kheiry-956a02136/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2011 Van Buren graduate Hannah Shank, a Transport Operations Supervisor at Marathon Petroleum Corporation. In this episode, Hannah shares how a typical day looks for her, how studying abroad led her to teaching in Austria, what playing college softball taught her, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in the transportation field or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Hannah shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:26 - A typical day as a Transport Operations Supervisor - working with many people in many situations.3:36 - The best part of the job is being in the field.4:51 - Safety is a huge focus in the transportation industry, and that looks different in Utah compared to NW Ohio.6:55 - Life in Utah reminds Hannah of Austria - definitely different from the Midwest.8:32 - Trucks might still need chains even in the summer.9:24 - Women in the transportation industry - we need people in the transportation industry in general.10:10 - It is tougher to get into transporting hazardous materials.11:42 - Hannah expected to be a lawyer, not a Transport Operations Supervisor.13:20 - Studying abroad was a goal for Hannah, and that led to her majoring in German Studies in addition to finance.14:56 - BGSU has a partnership with the University of Salzburg, leading to Hannah teaching both in Austria and Bowling Green.16:39 - Unfortunately, German has not played a big role in Hannah’s job with Marathon.17:40 - Because of the number of Spanish speakers in her fleet, Hannah hopes to learn Spanish this year.18:33 - Hannah’s experience with Clouse Construction Corporation impacted how she does her current job with Marathon.20:36 - Developing leadership and teamwork skills while in high school is invaluable. You have to be coachable.22:32 - Playing college softball was great, but the competition is intense at the college level.23:42 - Keeping up with sports and classes is very difficult.25:26 - Be open to wherever the world might take you.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/hannah-shank-64082093/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2010 Van Buren graduate Madison (Grant) Schwable, a Speech Language Pathologist at the Hancock County Education Service Center. In this episode, Madison shares how a typical day looks for a speech language pathologist, the places where people in this field can work, the feeling of fulfillment which comes from this career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a speech language pathologist or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Madison shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:08 - A typical day for a speech language pathologist2:53 - Speech is from the neck up, and age matters.4:22 - What do the letters CCC-SLP actually mean?5:12 - Madison’s own experience as a student in speech class impacted her decision to become a speech language pathologist.6:14 - A master’s degree is needed in most places to be a speech language pathologist.6:58 - Additional education is necessary to continue practicing.7:41 - Schools are not the only places where speech language pathologists can work.9:15 - There is a high demand for speech language pathologists, and the program at UT is highly selective.9:55 - Speech pathologists can also start their own businesses.11:00 - Sign Language skills are recommended but not required.12:15 - It’s interesting to be in a school and not be a student.12:57 - Changing people’s lives is very fulfilling.14:08 - The challenges speech language pathologists face15:28 - Educational options for students interested in speech language pathology careers.17:04 - Even people in careers are still learning.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Madison on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/madison-schwable-81400a116/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2019 Van Buren graduate Johnathon Farthing, a general manager and franchise trainer at Five Guys. In this episode, Johnathon shares how he decided to leave college to pursue full-time employment with Five Guys, how teachers don’t only work in schools, the most fulfilling aspects of his career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in the restaurant industry or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Johnathon shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:13 - A typical day for a general manager at a Five Guys franchise.3:57 - Five Guys refresh - how does that look?4:50 - Jonathon’s performance in a refresh led to a promotion for him as a trainer.6:03 - Jonathon’s career plans when he was graduating from high school - medicine, education, music education.7:21 - Starting at Five Guys immediately after graduating from high school.7:50 - Starting college while working at Five Guys - maybe confusing passion with a career and the impact of Covid.9:55 - Deciding not to go back to college10:25 - The outcome of “dropping out” of college - “It was hard to do.”10:50 - Going to college because it was expected - not the best reason to go12:15 - Regret and embarrassment but a positive outcome13:48 - Self-criticism and taking constructive criticism - be honest and open16:20 - It isn’t just fast food. There are many learning opportunities.17:40 - Learning how to work under pressure.18:25 - Promoting people and personal growth - the most fulfilling moments for Jonathon.19:50 - Jonathon’s career goals20:48 - “I want to be with people, and I want to train them.”21:49 - A teacher doesn’t have to be in a school - what Johnathon knows now that he wishes he had known in high school.22:30 - Jonathon never would have guessed that he would work in the food industry.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Johnathon on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/johnathon-farthing-40294b246/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2009 Van Buren graduate Evan Shank, a Senior IT General Controls and TBM Business Analyst with Orlando Health. In this episode, Evan shares how he has attained an IT career despite not having a degree in IT, how he has used LinkedIn to propel his career, the value certifications can have in the workplace, and much more. Whether you are interested in an IT or business management career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Evan shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:16 - A typical day for Evan in his role as TBM Business Analyst and Senior IT General Controls.3:42 - IT technology niches require more education and certifications4:16 - Evan doesn’t have a formal IT background.4:40 - Supply chain was Evan’s path into his current role.5:22 - Evan is a Swiss Army knife.6:26 - Evan works with a team of people in his position.8:53 - Evan didn’t have clear post-high school plans when he graduated.10:28 - Life challenges have led to Evan focusing more on his career.11:06 - Teaching a class at Owens Community College had a major impact on Evan’s career journey.13:00 - Reflections on Evan’s educational and career journey.14:10 - Confidence and strategy came out of Evan’s experiences.15:15 - Networking with the right people on LinkedIn is key.17:46 - How Evan has used LinkedIn, and how it led him to living in Florida.19:42 - Evan travels occasionally for his career, and he has a hybrid work schedule.21:47 - The plans for continuing education.22:47 - Certifications can sometimes take a person as far as a degree.24:08 - Take high school seriously because it is valuable.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Evan on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/evanshank/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2010 Van Buren graduate Luke Routzon, a state and nationally-licensed EMT who is now a Division Simulation Specialist with HCA Healthcare. In this episode, Luke shares how a typical day looks for him, how becoming an EMT led him to his current position, the importance of having a support system as an EMT, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as an EMT or in healthcare or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Luke shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - A typical day for Luke as a division simulation specialist2:50 - The role of facilitator, but experience is key.3:42 - Mannequins for students learning healthcare techniques are not cheap but are amazingly advanced.7:41 - Luke had no idea his career existed when he was in high school.8:11 - Luke started in EMS in 2015, has lived in a firehouse, has worked in disaster relief, and has used his many experiences to end up where he is today.9:40 - LinkedIn led Luke to his current position.10:39 - There are various tiers within the EMS field (EMT, advanced EMT, paramedic), and they require varied levels of education.12:58 - A state license gives the EMTs and paramedics the opportunity to practice.14:32 - Luke has earned over 60 certifications.15:45 - Certifications can be done in spare time and open many career doors.16:55 - Emergency Management Institute - provide opportunities for advancement.17:39 - The good and bad of being an EMT.18:53 - Having a support system in place is important for the mental health of people working in this industry.21:05 - Catching his first baby was Luke’s most fulfilling career experience.22:58 - Focusing in school is essential.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Luke on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/lukeroutzon/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2013 Van Buren graduate Heather Clark, a Senior Public Relations Specialist for Cardinal Health. In this episode, Heather shares how a typical day looks for her, why she has always been interested in communications, the difference between working for an agency or a company like Cardinal Health, the importance of maintaining work/life balance, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a social worker or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Heather shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - How a typical day looks for a Senior Public Relations Specialist.3:13 - Heather doesn’t spend too much time talking with reporters.4:51 - AI comes up daily.5:38 - “AI is a complement, not a competitor.”6:45 - How Heather learned to deal with crisis communications.7:24 - The communications at Cardinal Health are different from a place like Nike.7:45 - Internal and external communications are different animals.8:10 - Collaboration is always important.8:40 - Heather has always had an interest in communications.10:36 - The communications team for Heather’s portion of the large organization is a total of six people.11:57 - Writing has always been enjoyable.12:51 - Every day is a little bit different, and relationships are of the utmost importance.13:38 - Some topics might not be 100% interesting to a communications professional.15:11 - Internships and career experience open employment opportunities.16:35 - Agency vs. In-house communications18:43 - Participation in organizations and having hobbies help maintain work/life balance.20:16 - Passion vs. Purpose vs. Curiosity22:09 - It’s okay to not have a career path figured out as a high school student.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Heather on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/heatherbclark) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2013 Van Buren graduate Heather Ritson, a Behavior Services Coordinator II at The Medical University of South Carolina. In this episode, Heather shares how a typical day looks for her, how the path to her career started with a social work degree, how she cancelled plans to earn a master’s degree in social work and an MBA and is glad she did, the importance of learning from mentors, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a social worker or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Heather shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:10 - A typical day as a Behavior Services Coordinator at The Medical University of South Carolina2:53 - The Institute of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences is the umbrella program for where Heather works.3:49 - The Medical University of South Carolina has multiple campuses, but Heather works in Charleston, SC.5:05 - When she was a VB student, Heather knew she wanted to work with and help people in her career based on her high school experiences.6:24 - Heather attended college with a social work major.6:45 - Business development became part of her career journey between her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.8:13 - Heather almost earned her master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan and an MBA, but she had a change of heart in both instances.11:10 - A photography business has turned into a hobby for Heather.12:14 - The experiences as a photographer have helped her in her current career even though she no longer focuses on photography.13:26 - Skills are transferable.14:15 - Talk to mentors in fields that interest you to identify potential paths to and in a career.16:20 - The social work degree is what really gave Heather the flexibility to end up where she is in her career.18:02 - People who are observant and empathetic could do well in the social work field.19:52 - When earning a social work degree, make sure it is an accredited program.20:43 - Employers don’t care where a person earned a degree. They just care that a degree was earned.21:59 - Life and careers are not a race.22:37 - Get experiences to help figure out a career path.Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Heather on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/heather-ritson) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2010 Van Buren graduate Michael Flanagan, a civil engineer for the city of Thornton, Colorado. In this episode, Michael shares how a typical day looks as a civil engineer, how the first-year engineering program at the University of Cincinnati helped him decide what kind of engineer to become, how the soil in Ohio is much different from the soil in Colorado, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as an engineer or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Michael shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:10 - A typical day as a civil engineer for the City of Thornton 2:16 - Michael deals with projects related to private money/development coming into the city. 4:48 - The goal is NOT to be a roadblock to developers. 5:18 - Visiting sites plays a role in Michael’s life. 6:24 - There is also plenty of time spent in front of a computer. 7:37 - Pretty much everything is done electronically regarding plans. 8:07 - “A plethora of meetings….” 8:39 - Thornton is a city (sixth largest in Colorado) and suburb of Denver. 10:33 - Michael is on a team of six engineers, but there are many others on other teams. 11:55 - Michael did plan to become an engineer because he was good at math and science, but he didn’t have a plan to become a specific type of engineer. 13:15 - Focusing on schools with good co-op programs. 14:24 - The first-year engineering program at Cincinnati is a great opportunity to learn all of the types of engineering available. 18:26 - How Michael chose North Carolina State for his master’s degree program 22:07 - Geotechnical Engineering - one of the specialities within civil engineering 25:15 - Expanding soil is a huge deal in Colorado, unlike in NW Ohio 26:55 - The first charge of an engineer is protecting life, health, and safety. 27:45 - There is a ton of writing as an engineer, and the writing needs to be technical and concise. 30:05 - Having hobbies is important to avoiding burnout. 32:15 - What people don’t know about living in Colorado. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Michael on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/michaelrflanagan) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2010 Van Buren graduate Michael Caris, a business manager for SRC Worldwide, Inc., and owner of MC Golf Performance and Buckeye Rental. In this episode, Michael shares how a typical day looks as he juggles three jobs, why he moved out of working full-time in the golf industry while maintaining his own golf-focused business, the impact relationships have had on his career journey, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in the golf industry, want to become an entrepreneur, or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Michael shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:13 - How a typical day looks for Michael as a business manager and entrepreneur. 2:07 - Still has 25 clients in MC Golf Performance. 3:05 - What Michael has learned about balancing three jobs. 4:33 - What SRM Worldwide, Inc., sells and what led Michael to join them after working in the golf industry. 7:03 - Buckeye Rentals has one employee in addition to Michael and has been running for about three months. 9:27 - Relationships lead to opportunities, and Michael learned that from his dad and while working in the golf industry. 10:35 - It is who you know and how a person maintains relationships. 11:12 - Michael did not plan to work in the golf industry after high school. 11:42 - Played golf at Point Park University, was ready for a change, and moved to California at age 19. 13:04 - Volunteering at a PGA event in Hilton Head, SC, led to relationships that led to becoming a golf pro. 14:06 - Most people who go to the Professional Golfers’ Career College don’t play on the pro tour, but most do move into jobs in the golf industry. 15:40 - No college will make a person a good golf teacher. Experience does that. 17:11 - It is tough to make it in the golf industry even if a person isn’t married with no children. 18:55 - Michael’s experience in the golf industry set him up to run his own business. 20:32 - A person can take calculated risks and be successful. 21:00 - Thinking of working in the golf industry or starting a business? Do it. 22:42 - Pay attention and try - that’s what leads to success. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Michael on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/michael-caris/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2013 Van Buren graduate Zach Wehrle, a Tax Senior (Accountant) for EY. In this episode, Zach shares how a typical day looks in his position, why he moved into accounting from a criminal justice career, how accounting could make him more likely to get a position with the FBI, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as an accountant or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Zach shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:11 - How a typical day looks for a Tax Senior/Accountant at EY 2:33 - What an audit is, and how the audits Zach completes compare to IRS audits 3:58 - Accountants are not “the bad guys.” 4:53 - More about EY and the travel Zach has to do in his position 6:48 - When he was in high school, Zach planned to have a career in criminal justice with the federal government, but it hasn’t played out that way. 8:00 - All of Zach’s internships and experiences were valuable because they helped him make decisions about his career journey. 9:55 - The potential lack of career growth led Zach to find a way to make himself more attractive to the federal government. 13:50 - Does Zach regret not pursuing an accounting degree from the start? 14:58 - Zach is still using what he learned while working in criminal justice in his accounting career. 15:45 - It was difficult to head back to school two years after earning a bachelor’s degree. 16:23 - Preparing for the CPA exam 17:00 - Doors earning the CPA will open 18:13 - Crunching numbers on a computer screen by himself is NOT what Zach experiences every day. 19:00 - From January through May, the hours are longer since that is tax season. 20:09 - Advice to students considering criminal justice or accounting careers 21:48 - It is never too late to pursue a career path. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Zach on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/zachary-wehrle-91331b15b/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This is the place to learn about careers from the people who are actually doing the work every day. I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 1999 Van Buren graduate Abby Yates, a Clinical Supervisor and Mental Health Counselor at The Willow Center. In this episode, Abby shares how a typical day looks in her position, how mental health professionals often don’t have the luxury of a consistent 8-5 work schedule, why mental health professionals transition to new positions so often, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a mental health professional or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Abby shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:12 - A typical day for Abby 3:10 - This is not a 9-5 career. 5:16 - Abby originally thought she would be a history teacher, but personal experience took her in a different career direction. 6:58 - While her undergraduate degree was in history, it has still helped her as a mental health professional. 8:55 - “People aren’t broken, so they don’t need to be fixed.” 9:36 - What is the difference between a counselor and therapist? 10:55 - There are a variety of places where a mental health professional can work. 13:42 - There are opportunities for students to learn about mental health careers. 16:00 - “You are not going to get rich doing this job” and will have to work up to a higher salary. 17:05 - Mental health professionals transition to new jobs often, but there is logic behind it. 18:20 - Most mental health professionals have to carry additional liability insurance. 19:44 - It’s okay to figure out what you don’t want to do. 21:51 - A career doesn’t mean a person is in one job for his/her entire life, and it sometimes requires trial and error and time to find a career path. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Abby on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/abby-yates-ma-lpcc-s-72900b5a/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features 2015 Van Buren graduate Alexis (Youngpeter) Beachy, a Palliative Care Pharmacist at Ohio Health. In this episode, Alexis shares how a typical day looks in her position, how a five-year internship is not uncommon in pharmacy, why she chose to complete a two-year residency, how participating in the Kappa Epsilon pharmacy fraternity has helped her, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a pharmacist or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Alexis shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:12 - How a typical day looks for a palliative care pharmacist 2:52 - A palliative care pharmacist rarely handles medication. 5:03 - The medication robot 6:00 - Palliative care pharmacists can work in a variety of settings. 7:22 - Alexis knew she wanted to go into pharmacy when graduating from high school, but she wasn’t aware of all of her options. 8:52 - A five-year internship is not uncommon in pharmacy. 10:17 - Schooling for a pharmacist requires time and good study skills. 13:15 - Two years of residency were very useful to Alexis 14:01 - Kappa Epsilon, a professional pharmacy fraternity to which Alexis belonged, has had a huge impact on Alexis’s career journey. 17:42 - Organization, drive, motivation, and interest in patient concerns are necessary for people to succeed in the pharmacy field. 20:09 - Shadowing is very useful to students considering a pharmacy career. 21:15 - Connections are huge in pharmacy. 21:57 - Pharmacy is like a “choose your own adventure” book. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/alexis-beachy-pharmd-998a64126) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features 2015 Van Buren graduate Nathan Maynard, an assistant public defender in the youth defense department of the Ohio Public Defender’s Office. In this episode, Nathan shares how a typical day looks in his position, how an event while in college working toward a supply chain management degree piqued his interest in a law career, what students can be doing now to set themselves up for a career in law, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a lawyer or public defender or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Nathan shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:14 - How a typical day looks for Nathan as an assistant public defender in the youth defense department. 3:22 - There is only one other person like Nathan in the entire state. 3:59 - The situations in addition to youth defense that a public defender can work. 5:02 - The public defenders during and after a trial are different. 5:28 - Attorney work usually isn’t what is seen on television. 6:25 - Nathan did not plan to go into youth defense. 6:55 - A clerkship with the state helped lead Nathan to the public service field. 9:12 - Supply chain management was Nathan’s original career focus. 9:42 - A moot court trial in a college class piqued Nathan’s interest in law. 11:10 - You don’t need to go pre-law/political science to go to law school. 12:12 - Law school is a reset. 13:19 - There are many good law schools in Ohio. 14:12 - The application process for law school can start long before actually starting law school. 15:00 - Grades and experiences are important when it comes to acceptance to law school. 16:15 - The path to a law degree is a long haul. 17:48 - Get involved with the community: vote, be a poll worker, etc. 19:06 - Seek opportunities and try new things. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/nathan-maynard-b77991149/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features 2005 Van Buren graduate Tiffany Johnson, who is the Data Asset Manager Within North America Market Operations for Procter & Gamble. In this episode, Tiffany shares how a typical day looks in her position, how data is much more than numbers, the good and bad of working for large companies, the importance of being able to adapt, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as data manager or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Tiffany shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:15 - A typical day for Tiffany as the Data Asset Manager Within North America Market with Proctor & Gamble 2:41 - Data is much more than numbers. 4:24 - Tiffany was originally a communications major and hadn’t considered data while in high school. 7:42 - MIS (Management of Information Systems) and Data & Analytics degrees will help people move into this career. 9:07 - Proctor & Gamble has many data interns who are very effective. 9:57 - Not all data-focused positions require a four-year degree, but the more technical and specialized positions likely will require a four-year degree. 10:50 - AI is having a huge impact on data analytics in serious and fun ways. 12:22 - The good and bad of working for large companies. 14:22 - Developing systems to add value are very important. 16:41 - Data managers/scientists must be able to adapt. 18:46 - Always be a learner and collaborator. 20:20 - Career paths are not linear. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tiffany-johnson-she-her-4a97b4107/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with 2014 Van Buren graduate Michelle Ricker, who is a writer and assistant editor at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. In this episode, Michelle shares how a typical day looks in her position, how AI has affected her career, the value of her internships while in school, the importance of a writing portfolio, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a writer or editor or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Michelle shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:11 - A typical day as a writer and assistant editor at Emory University. 4:01 - How Michelle avoids errors 5:24 - Impact of AI on writing 6:57 - A career in journalism was Michelle’s original goal. 8:14 - Journalism vs. Communications 9:42 - The value of internships 12:36 - A graduate degree is not an absolute necessity to become a writer. 14:40 - Entering the workforce during a pandemic 16:00 - The importance of a portfolio as a writer 18:16 - There is no limit to the places where writers could work. 19:19 - The impact writing can have 20:35 - Life in Atlanta 21:18 - It takes time for people to figure out what they want to do, and that’s okay. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/michelle-m-flanagan) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Ashley (Erwin) Little, a 2007 Van Buren High School graduate who is the Director of Graduate Admissions at The University of Findlay. In this episode, Ashley shares how a typical day looks in her position, the role a graphic design degree played in her career journey, what students who might go to graduate school should be doing right now, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in higher education or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Ashley shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:09 - How a typical day looks for Ashley as the Director of Graduate Admissions 2:45 - Every school is a bit different in how it handles graduate admissions. 3:50 - Ashley was committed to a graphic arts career when she was in high school. 5:12 - The art skills are still useful. 5:52 - Ashley still does graphic design, but it is now more of a hobby. 6:36 - Career paths are not always smooth. 8:00 - Majors that could lead to a degree as an admissions counselor. 8:45 - Admissions is like selling a product - a degree. 9:42 - Previous recruitment experience has been invaluable. 11:08 - Ashley’s relationships with her high school teachers laid the foundation for her career journey. 12:40 - The difficult parts of being an admissions counselor or director 15:05 - Travel as an admissions counselor 17:00 - How students can prepare for graduate school 19:30 - Be open to change. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ashley-little-6443b0196) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Stephanie (Boyd) Donahue, a 1997 Van Buren High School graduate who works in the computer science field and is the Americas Workplace Data, Apps, and Workflow Lead for Avanade. In this episode, Stephanie shares how a typical day looks in her position, how there is much more to computer science than coding, what it was like to start her own business, and much more. Whether you are interested in a computer science or business career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Stephanie shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:15 - A typical day for Stephanie 3:00 - What is Avanade? 3:39 - Earning the 2024 Global Business Transformation Copilot Partner of the Year and how AI is changing the working world 6:47 - Stephanie planned to go into computer science as a high school student, so she is one of the few who really hasn’t changed her career goals after graduating. 9:01 - There are many educational options available to people wanting to get into computer science. 10:05 - There is much more to computer science than just coding. 11:04 - There are many degrees and career paths in computer science, which offers many opportunities to shift career direction. 12:15 - Starting a new business - one of the hardest jobs Stephanie has ever had, but it was very fulfilling and provided flexibility. 14:45 - Summer classes and camps in robotics, coding, etc., for all ages are a great way for students in high school to start working toward computer science careers. 16:41 - The positives and negatives of a computer science career. 18:12 - Be willing to do what no one else wants to do. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stephkdonahue/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Nick DeVore, a 2016 Van Buren High School graduate who is an electrician and project foreman for Bodie Mechanical Services. In this episode, Nick shares how a typical day looks in his position, how he decided to pursue this career through an apprenticeship, the importance of math in his career, and much more. Anyone interested in pursuing a career as an electrician or construction worker will find information related to starting down those paths in this episode. Enjoy the show! 1:13 - A typical day for Nick as a project foreman 3:55 - Time spent working in the field vs. in the office 5:10 - Advancing to the position of project foreman 7:22 - Nick’s career plans when he graduated from high school 8:38 - Starting in the Vaughn Industries apprenticeship and continuing with Bodie Electric 9:52 - Non-union vs. union apprenticeship requirements 10:36 - Testing continues beyond school 11:24 - Negatives of this career 12:07 - Positives of this career 13:26 - Electricians are needed EVERYWHERE. 14:13 - Nick’s biggest accomplishment in his career 15:24 - Mistakes that have led Nick to grow and be more successful in his career 16:46 - Seeing the value of high school math classes 18:10 - Take high school seriously because you don’t get those years back Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Nick by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with 1997 Van Buren graduate Todd Bailey, the Senior Vice President - Director of Regional Economic Development at Huntington National Bank. In the interview, Todd shares how a typical day looks in his position, how his degree in communications provided a solid foundation for his career journey, the career opportunities there are in the banking field, and much more. Whether you are interested in a banking career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Todd shares will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 2:01 - A typical day for Todd at Huntington Bank 3:41 - Much of Todd’s job involves connecting people so economic advancements can be made 5:00 - Where Todd is today is much different from where he thought he would be when in high school 5:20 - A communications degree from Ohio Northern University has opened many opportunities. 5:53 - Todd also worked in the aviation industry early in his career. 7:09 - What led Todd to the communications field originally 9:00 - How Todd’s previous career experiences have led to where he is today 11:19 - A solid foundation for how to communicate allows people to handle any situations they encounter. 13:15 - Every day is slightly different in economic development. 14:15 - There are some great economic development leaders working in Ohio, and Todd finds ways to support the work they are doing. 15:21 - Travel is definitely a part of Todd’s current position as he visits various parts of the state. 17:32 - There is professional value in not having all of the answers and figuring things out along the way. 18:30 - Looking ahead at future career opportunities in the banking industry - there are many of them 21:40 - When thinking about banking, remember that it goes beyond the financial side. 22:14 - Openings right now at Huntington 23:30 - When graduating from high school or college, students don’t need to have clear career paths right away. 25:45 - Don’t look past the journey. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Todd on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/toddrbailey/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with 2009 Van Buren graduate Jacob Sublett, the staff biologist at the Toledo Area Sanitation District. In the interview, Jacob shares how a typical day looks for him, how he focuses on mosquito control in his career, how the field of biology offers a plethora of career opportunities, and much more. Whether you are interested in a STEM or science-focused career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Jacob shares will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:43 - What a typical day looks like for a staff biologist. 2:20 - Jacob is a mosquito biologist 2:55 - What Jacob does during the winter when mosquitoes are not active 3:50 - 30 species of mosquitoes are found in Northwest Ohio 4:33 - Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world. 5:29 - Implementing an integrated mosquito management program 7:55 - Larval control is also important 9:43 - Mosquito activity and reproduction are impacted by the weather 11:16 - Mosquitoes might be the closest to an “all-negative” species, but there are some benefits mosquitoes provide. 12:50 - Jacob is the only staff biologist in Lucas County. 13:34 - Jacob’s career plans when he left high school 14:30 - Experiences in research led Jacob to becoming a biologist. 15:35 - Jacob’s time with the Wood County Parks Department. 16:35 - What Jacob did as a woodland specialist 18:12 - STEM fields offer many career opportunities. 19:45 - Qualities of those who might do well as biologists 21:16 - The most interesting experiences Jacob has had as a biologist 22:03 - What Jacob knows now that he wishes he had known while in high school - take courses that will give you a skill that you can apply in the workforce Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Jacob by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Sawyer Junge, a 2014 Van Buren graduate who is a Partnerships and Account Executive with LinkedIn Talent and Learning Solutions in Chicago, IL. Sawyer shares how a typical day looks for him, how to deal with rejection when making sales, what it’s like to live in Chicago, the importance of being a good listener, and much more. Whether you are interested in a sales career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Sawyer shares will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:37 - How a typical day looks for Sawyer in sales for LinkedIn 2:45 - How Sawyer’s commute into the office looks 3:29 - Sawyer’s plan upon graduating from VB - not sales 4:58 - There are many degree options when it comes to working in business. 6:13 - High school experience as a golfer is still useful to Sawyer today. 7:11 - Good leaders early in Sawyer’s career helped him get to where he is today. 8:40 - Dealing with rejection in sales 9:49 - Sawyer’s first sales - they all come down to making a good impression. 11:48 - In-person vs. Remote vs. Hybrid work 13:19 - Life in Chicago 15:32 - Being an active listener is a huge part of success in sales. 17:36 - Sales offer opportunities to work almost anywhere 18:47 - Experience as much as possible, even if it is uncomfortable at the time. 19:14 - Join clubs/organizations - all experiences help 19:39 - Great study abroad program at Miami University Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Sawyer on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/sawyer-junge) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Jae Sutherland, a 2004 Van Buren graduate who is an Area Engineer for the US Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Jae shares what she does as a civil engineer, how attending a camp at Notre Dame contributed to where she is today, and much more. Whether you are interested in an engineering career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Jae shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:34 - A typical day as a Civil Engineer3:28 - What NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) is and how it pertains to farmers in Wisconsin4:47 - Solving problems both before and after they become problems5:42 - Jae’s plans when she left high school6:20 - Engineering camp at Notre Dame exposed Jae to a variety of career options.7:25 - Aspects of Civil Engineering that people might not consider8:41 - Internships and the role they play in Jae’s career journey10:48 - Finding an internship in Oklahoma - connections help12:42 - Making the move to New York after finding a posting on USAJobs13:54 - The New York City watershed - a great training-ground15:58 - “Details,” or temporary promotions - a great way to try a new career17:00 - Becoming an area engineer in Appleton, Wisconsin17:45 - Acting as an area conservationist18:20 - The advancement steps for people in Jae’s position20:41 - Camps, volunteering, and other opportunities for students to get involved while in high school22:10 - Using AutoDesk and GIS to manage data23:17 - Students can start using AutoCAD and GIS even before they move into a career.24:40 - Job shadow and ask questions!Questions?Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]).Connect with Jae on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jae-ann-sutherland-p-e-81411414) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Alan Molyet, a 2010 Van Buren graduate who is a Senior 340B Coordinator at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Alan shares how a typical day in his position looks, how he balances his day job with a career as a soccer official at the high school and college levels, the importance of being a life-long learner, and much more. Whether you are interested in a healthcare administration career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Alan shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:39 - What does a Senior 340B Coordinator do? 7:21 - How 340B money is currently being threatened, leading Alan to have to lobby for it 9:10 - Hybrid position, meetings, work on a computer - all aspects of this career 10:42 - Building this position 11:29 - How previous experiences led Alan to where he is 12:30 - 2+4 pharmacy program at the University of Toledo 13:30 - BSPS degrees at UT - still in the pharmacy world but on the administrative side 14:37 - Many of the degrees Alan did and could have earned at UT are going to be axed. 15:50 - Sometimes a person just has to keep asking questions to get answers. 18:29 - Balancing work with refereeing soccer at the high school and college levels 19:58 - Dealing with the “grind” culture to find work/life balance 21:44 - Labor shortage of soccer referees - make money and exercise at the same time 22:55 - How to climb the soccer officiating ladder 25:41 - Characteristics of people who are successful in healthcare administration 27:05 - Constantly learning through attending conferences 28:05 - Getting the job at Ohio State 29:48 - “Nobody knows what they are doing.” Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Alan on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/alan-molyet) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Tre Switzer, a 2017 Van Buren graduate who is an Assistant Superintendent of the Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course in Branson, MO. Tre shares how a typical day looks as an Assistant Superintendent, how he decided to earn a turf grass degree from ATI in Wooster, what the most rewarding aspects of his career are, and much more. Whether you are interested in a turf grass career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Tre shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:35 - A typical day for an assistant superintendent at a golf course 2:27 - How the winter looks for a golf course 3:16 - Managing other staff to keep the course in tip-top shape 4:05 - Assistant Superintendent role vs. the Superintendent’s role 4:58 - Tre’s original career plan when he graduated from high school 6:22 - Work experiences led Tre to his current career path. 7:05 - Schools that offer a turfgrass management program. 8:07 - How relationships led to where Tre currently is at Buffalo Ridge 9:15 - Advancing from Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent and beyond - knowing the right people helps. 10:49 - Education vs. Experience - which is most important to this career? 12:02 - Rewarding aspects of this career 13:26 - Characteristics of people who are successful in this field 14:11 - Where most people with the ATI turf grass career end up working 15:00 - Living in Missouri vs. living in Ohio 16:27 - What Tre knows now that he wishes he had known while in high school Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Tre on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stephen-tre-switzer-a56201173) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Callie Spears, a 2016 Van Buren graduate who is a Design Strategist and UX/UI Designer with LINK in Oregon. Callie shares how a typical day looks as a designer, how her experience with co-ops through the University of Cincinnati propelled her career, her experiences with both in-person and remote work, and much more. Whether you are interested in a design career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Callie shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:44 - A typical day as a design strategist / UX/UI Designer 3:20 - Design Strategist is a new role at her company 3:59 - A bit about LINK, where Callie works as a Design Strategist 4:58 - Callie’s career plans when she was a senior in high school 5:55 - Career options within graphic design 8:13 - Callie’s co-op experiences through the University of Cincinnati - good professionally and personally 10:30 - Other schools which have strong design programs 11:56 - In-person vs. hybrid vs. remote work 14:24 - Callie’s role in developing an AI chat feature three years ago (before the release of Chat GPT 16:15 - Some knowledge of coding helps in a UX/UI career 17:09 - Using “wireframing” as part of the design process 18:17 - The role relationships have played in Callie’s career journey 19:45 - Portfolios of work are important to a designer’s career. 20:50 - The positives and negatives of this career 22:24 - Advice for people considering this career field 23:46 - Living on the West Coast 25:12 - What Callie has learned that she wishes she had known in high school Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Callie on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/calliespears/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Ryan Harmon, a 2002 Van Buren graduate who is a Critical Care Transport, ER, and Flight Nurse and Paramedic who is currently studying to become a Nurse Practitioner. Ryan shares how a typical day looks in the emergency room, how he became a flight nurse and what that means, how the military helped him choose his career path, and much more. Whether you are interested in a healthcare career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Ryan shares will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:42 - A typical day for Ryan as an ER nurse 3:24 - The ages of patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 4:03 - The education a nurse receives covers all ages, and additional certifications can be earned. 5:58 - Ryan’s experiences as a flight nurse came after many other career experiences in the military, as an EMT, etc. 10:31 - Firefighting in the military and earning a professional firefighter’s certification at Vanguard Career Center in Fremont 12:48 - A career in healthcare allows a person to find employment almost anywhere. 16:00 - The most enjoyable experiences Ryan has had in his career and how all of his experiences helped him figure out what he really wants to do. 18:00 - Life as a flight nurse - both in the air and on the ground 21:22 - Determining when LifeFlight is needed 23:22 - Deciding when the right time was to earn a college degree 25:18 - All certifications are valuable and could lead to a higher salary. 27:28 - Continuing education hours are also needed, and certifications can be a way to earn those hours in addition to the certifications. 29:10 - Characteristics of people who are successful in the healthcare field, specifically in nursing and flight nursing 30:23 - It can be hard to get into a flight nursing career. 31:56 - Weirdly, the healthcare issues people face are different based on where people live. 32:33 - The military gave Ryan a chance to figure out what he truly wanted to do. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ryan-harmon-1a457684/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Tori Bookwalter, a 2017 Van Buren graduate who is the social media coordinator for the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers. Tori shares how a typical day looks for a social media coordinator, explains why she chose social media over journalism, discusses whether someone entering the social media field needs a college degree, and much more. Whether you are interested in a social media career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Tori shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:40 - What Tori does as a social media coordinator. 3:11 - What Tori most loves about her career. 5:09 - The social media platforms Tori handles. 7:08 - Where Tori typically does her work. 8:53 - What it’s like to cover a team competing for an NHL championship. 12:02 - Tori’s career plans when she was graduating from high school. 13:05 - Journalism didn’t provide the creative opportunities Tori wanted. 16:05 - Experiences and opportunities that led Tori to her position with the Panthers. 17:05 - Spending time as the Orange Bowl mascot, Obie, resulted in connections that mattered down the road. 18:05 - Networking “internally” is just as important as networking “externally.” 19:55 - College shouldn’t be the #1 priority for a career in social media. The focus should be on gaining experience. 22:42 - Social media is everywhere, which means there are opportunities everywhere. 24:08 - Yes, people who live in Florida can miss snow. 25:45 - Try things to create opportunities. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Tori on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/toribookwalter/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Abby Allen, a 2005 Van Buren graduate who is a physician’s assistant and assistant professor in the PA program at the University of Findlay. Abby shares how a typical day looks for a PA and professor, gives advice on getting into PA school, explains how a PA is different from a nurse practitioner, and much more. Whether you are interested in a healthcare career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Abby shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:50 - A typical day as an assistant professor in the PA program at the University of Findlay 3:46 - A typical day as a physician’s assistant 5:13 - Working in a nursing home is somewhat different from working in a hospital or office. 6:05 - The writing involved with being a PA 7:00 - The differences between a PA, NP, MD, and DO 7:39 - PA’s can switch specialties quite easily, which is a nice option. 8:31 - Fellowships are typically reserved for MDs and DOs. 9:00 - MDs and DOs don’t have quite as much flexibility. 9:40 - Nurse practitioners have to be nurses first. 10:20 - PAs can see all types of patients and don’t have to specialize. 11:29 - What made becoming a PA the right choice for Abby after she planned to become a Spanish teacher 12:34 - It is very competitive to get into PA school. 13:26 - Colleges want PA professors to have five years of clinical experience before starting to teach. 13:55 - Making the switch from Spanish education to exercise science 12:55 - It wasn’t too difficult to get back into the swing of high-level science classes because of Abby’s study skills. 16:00 - Helping people is definitely one of the best aspects of working as a PA. 17:28 - Being a PA pays well. 18:10 - Most PA graduates from UF have jobs soon after graduation. 19:00 - “Get an undergraduate degree in something you want to do for a living.” 20:28 - There are PA programs popping up because of the demand for the position. 21:18 - What happens to those who aren’t accepted into a PA program the first time they apply? 21:45 - Patient-care hours are like bonus points for admission, and those who are rejected the first time might retake classes or get more experience in the healthcare field to make acceptance more likely the next year. 23:49 - Experience is important to being accepted to PA school. 24:47 - Careers in medicine require good grades throughout college. 26:08 - Students, you don’t have to have your career figured out when you graduate from high school. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Abby on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-allen-5b3374208/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Amanda Couchot, a 2010 Van Buren graduate who is a New Model Delivery Project Manager with Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. Amanda shares how a typical day looks in her career, how she isn’t in the career she expected to have when in high school, the characteristics of people who excel in this field, and much more. Whether you are interested in a supply chain or manufacturing career or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Amanda shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:36 - What Amanda does in New Model Delivery 2:46 - The number of models of cars depends on the year. 3:26 - Travel required for this career 4:05 - Where Amanda works 4:32 - Amanda’s career plan when she was in high school 5:55 - Find a career that brings joy. 6:34 - The politics of healthcare led Amanda to move away from that field. 7:13 - Amanda’s role in the supply chain department at Honda has been dependent upon her graduate degree from BGSU. 8:30 - Amanda had actually accepted another position before she accepted her position at Honda. 9:24 - Multiple people do what Amanda does in her Honda plant. 10:01 - Honda plants in North America 10:44 - Characteristics of people who might excel in this career field 12:14 - The process of developing a car takes many years. 13:16 - High-demand careers at a company like Honda 14:44 - Commuting to work 15:47 - “Don’t put yourself in a box” when it comes to choosing a career. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/amanda-couchot-mba-7680a3106/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Ryan Fennell, a 2001 Van Buren graduate who is a licensed home inspector and owns his own business, Acuity Inspections. Ryan shares how a typical day looks, how he went to school to become a computer-aided designer but decided that was not the right career for him, how to get started in the inspection field, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in construction or inspection or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Ryan shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:34 - A typical day as a home inspector 2:54 - Ryan doesn’t do any of the repairs, just the inspections. 3:27 - Ryan thought he would be working with CAD when he graduated from high school. 4:19 - Ryan attended Owens Community College to earn a CAD associate degree. 5:38 - How Ryan gained the training he needed to become an inspector 6:58 - Ryan worked for Norfolk-Southern Railroad and really liked it, but the lifestyle was difficult for his family. 7:40 - Ryan earned his InterNACHI certification and studied for his national licensing exam. 8:59 - Ryan can only work in Ohio currently because he is only licensed here, but Michigan does not require a license, so he could do inspections there. 9:40 - Ryan was a conductor for Norfolk-Southern. 11:46 - The most difficult part of starting the business was the decision to do it. 12:16 - Meeting realtors is very important to Ryan’s career. 12:36 - There are 4-5 other inspectors in the Findlay area. 14:21 - Characteristics leading someone to be successful as an inspector. 16:09 - How to get started as a home inspector 17:43 - Thoroughly evaluate what you want out of a career. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ryanfennell22) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with 2015 VB graduate Brianna (Orchard) McAlister, who is a registered dietician who currently works as a nutritionist for Community Action Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts. In the interview, Brianna shares how a typical day looks, the differences between being a dietitian and a nutritionist, the many career options in this field, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in dietetics and nutrition or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Brianna shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:32 - A typical day for a nutritionist 3:41 - What is WIC? 4:47 - How being a nutritionist is different from being a registered dietitian 6:00 - 18 patients a day vs. 6-8, different lengths of appointments - a few of the differences 7:32 - Bree knew she wanted to be a dietitian since her freshman year of high school 8:13 - Sports nutrition was also something she was interested in doing, but she didn’t consider WIC until she was in college. 8:52 - Ohio State was a great place for Bree to start her career journey. 10:15 - The process of pursuing an internship in this field 12:00 - The process of pursuing a master’s degree 13:20 - What Bree learned from her time as a nutrition aide at The Heritage Nursing Home in Findlay as she was starting her career 15:26 - There are MANY different opportunities in this field to specialize and gain additional certifications. 18:40 - People in this field don’t have to stick to one path. 19:45 - Bree has a dietetics intern who is in her 40s. 20:19 - Becoming a dietitian can be strenuous, but it is possible to over prepare. 21:25 - Bree did not get accepted into the dietetics program at OSU when she applied the first time. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Bree on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brianna-orchard) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with 2019 VB graduate Megan Muzy, who is a merchandise associate with the Atlanta Braves and a competitive figure skating coach with Georgia Tech University. In the interview, Megan shares how a typical day looks in both of her positions, how these aren’t the careers she expected when she was in high school, the importance of internships and networking, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in merchandising or coaching or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Megan shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:39 - What Megan does as a merchandise associate with the Atlanta Braves 3:23 - Megan is at the bottom of the ladder and working her way up. 4:28 - What happens when the Braves are out of town? 6:37 - How a typical day looks for Megan as a figure skating coach at Georgia Tech 7:44 - Georgia Tech’s skating program is very new. 8:50 - How Georgia Tech’s skating season looks. 9:49 - Megan didn’t foresee herself working for a professional baseball team or being a skating coach when she was in high school. 11:12 - Megan chose to attend Adrian College because of the skating program there. 12:00 - Other schools in the area that offer figure skating teams 12:38 - The process of trying out for a figure skating team 13:48 - “Get all of the experience you can.” - Megan’s internships and experiences with campus organizations were highly valuable to her growth. 15:40 - Networking is an important result of gaining experience. 16:35 - Making the move to Atlanta, GA. 17:34 - Megan has won multiple awards in the time she has worked for the Braves. 19:18 - Megan likes merchandising and plans to climb that ladder in that field. 19:58 - Trainee programs with the Braves 21:48 - Interacting with Braves players 23:23 - Take advantage of teachers, family, shadow days, etc., when making decisions about the future. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Megan on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/meganmuzy) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Noah Schumacker, a 2017 Van Buren graduate who has worked in sales and now owns Noah's Ark Boat Wash. In the interview, Noah shares about what he did as an outside sales consultant, what his first sales internship was like in Duluth, GA, how he started his boat wash business, and much more.Whether you are interested in a career in sales or entrepreneurship or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Noah shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. 2:34 - What an Outside Sales Consultant does. 3:45 - Noah didn’t know what he wanted to do when he graduated from high school. 5:07 - Sales are more than selling used cars. 5:35 - Sales competitions can be terrifying. 6:55 - Noah finished third in his first sales competition. 8:18 - Noah’s first internship in Duluth, GA, selling pest control 10:15 - Failing is the best thing that can happen to someone in sales because it is the start of learning. 11:10 - People in sales don’t have to be extroverts. 11:44 - The more humility you have, the better salesperson you will be. 14:18 - Michigan has a lot of bodies of water, which was great for starting Noah’s Ark Boat Wash. 17:50 - It is important to build relationships.. 19:05 - Starting the business wasn’t something Noah did because he was an expert at washing boats; he just started. 20:23 - The ability to network and move out of your comfort skill are important for people going into sales and entrepreneurship. 21:23 - Engineers often go into sales because they know their products so well and know how to create value for their customers. 22:11 - The potential roadblocks to overcome in sales careers or entrepreneurship. 23:25 - People can be their own biggest roadblocks. 24:40 - Follow your dreams right away. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Noah on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-schumacker-051b97148/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! This episode features a conversation with Luke Kohls, a former Van Buren High School math teacher who is an account manager for Palo Alto Networks. In the interview, Luke shares about what he does at Palo Alto, what it was like to change careers after seven years as a teacher, what teaching skills have served him best in his new career, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career in business or cybersecurity or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Luke shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show! 1:52 - What is Palo Alto Networks, and what do business development representatives and account managers do? 4:25 - What Luke thought his career would be when he was leaving high school. 6:22 - The decision to transition from teaching to business 8:45 - “I want to give something else a try.” 9:36 - Stepping a bit backward to continue going forward 10:15 - Working as a teacher developed skills that were useful in business. 11:00 - Showing value and networking are huge when making a career change. 13:15 - Types of opportunities available in the business/cybersecurity fields 16:25 - Gaining the education needed for a business/cybersecurity career 18:05 - Most positive aspects of tech sales 19:53 - Tech sales are very competitive, which can make the career difficult. 22:00 - What Luke knows now about careers that he wishes he had known when he was in high school. Questions? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/) or e-mail ([email protected]). Connect with Luke on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-kohls/) or by e-mail ([email protected]).