College Simplified

In this episode I interviewed Dr. Sharon Kelly who shares about her experiences going to college and the pursuit of her doctoral degree (PsyD) in clinical psychology. Sharon shares her experience of being an average student in high school and going to college as an older, non-traditional student, to pursue psychology. There she came across a study skills resource (Where There’s A Will, There’s an A) that helped give her effective strategies, techniques and the confidence to succeed in college. Sharon shares that you must be passionate or a "fanatic" in your learning to achieve high levels of academic success. Sharon also discusses student and parent expectations for college and the role of self-identity. She notes that self-identity can not only influence your level of success in college  but also have long-lasting effects on your worldview and standards you set for yourself. Another topic discussed was with college students who are psychology majors and the different career pathways they can pursue. She shares that being a counselor or therapist can be achieved with a master’s degree and licensure and the key is to get early exposure to the field to determine if it's something you truly want to pursue. This episode is packed with great advice and insight from a highly educated and experienced psychology professional. Check it out!

In this podcast episode I met with my guest, Megan Keough. Megan shares about her journey from high school to an urban college in Philadelphia at La Salle University. Megan was was unsure what her major was going to be while attending college and through trial and error she decided with a major in business with a concentration in marketing. After graduating with her BSBM degree, Megan began working for another college institution, Gwynedd Mercy University, as an administrative assistant and a coordinator in Human Resources. While working and gaining experience, Megan also pursued and obtained her Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA). Megan shared her desire to grow and evolve in her career and wanted to explore other opportunities that maximized her abilities and creativity. She took the risk moving out of her "comfort zone" and joined a small business, Workplace Harmony, who needed someone with her skillset. She is now on her third year as Lead HR Advisor at this company! Megan shares that she is happy with decisions she has made throughout college and with her career. She mentions that college students may not know why, where, or how all the education and hard work is benefiting them but to "trust the process" and realize that it is setting you up for future success! Megan provides helpful tips and advice for high school students entering college as well as college students who may soon enter their career field. You don't want to miss this episode! Check it out!

In this episode I met with a friend and colleague, Danielle D'Aries, who shares about the many different avenues students can pursue in the field of Fine Arts. Danielle has taught for 21 years at several community colleges and 4-year institutions in Southeastern PA. She is currently teaching art classes for a high school. Danielle is passionate about educating others on all the different ways art is used in culture and life. She is also enjoys sharing how elements of art or graphic design are utilized in almost every other career in one form or another. In this episode, Danielle shares about her experiences teaching art classes of different ages from high school to college level. She shares how she practices her expertise of art everyday (in her home studio) and how to become good at anything (including art)- one must engage and practice it daily. She shares about the influence of art can be such a creative process with many intangible rewards. Danielle shares how her passion for art inspired her to take a solo trip to Egypt for 20 days to see the Egyptian art and culture. She shared an unfortunate but funny story about her experience. You’ll have to listen. We also talked about the stigma of seeking a Fine Arts degree and making lower income. Danielle shared how art is included with graphic design and digital media, which in today's world are "booming" industries. Danielle provided advice for art students to explore all the different options in the field that are under the umbrella of Fine Arts. Some of these careers include education, art galleries, graphic design, landscaping, event planning, and designing tattoos. She also provided valuable advice and key tips for young art students in high school and college. You don't want to miss it. Listen today!

I had the wonderful honor and privilege of interviewing the CEO and Senior Vice President of Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center This CEO happens to be my younger brother, Eric Williams. Eric shares how his initial passion in healthcare administration was prompted by a random field trip in high school and an ER episode on tv. This led to his interest and inquisition in the field through shadowing and volunteering which ultimately guided him to his major and educational path in college. Eric shares about how the influences from his high school guidance counselor, college advisor and professor can help and sometimes hinder your progress. If not for his grit and determination, he would have not attended graduate school which ultimately led to his career opportunities and success today. Eric also shares about advocating for yourself and how it is important to get involved with your prospective career as early as you can to gain the necessary exposure and experience. He also shares the importance of having mentors as this has provided valuable guidance as he experienced different obstacles and challenges. Eric attended the University of Virginia and transferred after his first semester to Penn State University. He graduated with his baccalaureate degree in Health Policy Administration with a minor in Sociology. He also attended the University of Michigan where he earned his master's degree in Health Services Administration. Listen today!

In this episode, my guest Cindy Whitley, who is a Financial Aid advisor in higher education shares about the basics on what parents and students should know when seeking aid. Listen to this episode as Cindy shares that Financial Aid does not have to be a scary process. Hear how to obtain scholarships and save money. We also discuss how to become eligible for scholarships and how filing for the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a pathway to receive free money. Another important aspect Cindy shares, is how students and parents can work together to complete the FASFA and how this process can reinforce family cohesion, ownership, and accountability particularly for the student. Lastly, we talk about the hot topic of student loan forgiveness and what that may look like in the future.

Listen to this episode where Gabby shares some of the misconceptions about eating disorders. Gabby also discusses the differences between eating disorders and disordered eating. We discuss common stereotypes associated with this disorder, the relationship between eating disorders and  how the current culture is addressing this issue. We talks about learning how to recognize potential warning signs of someone exhibiting behaviors of disordered eating. Gabby also explains how lack of proper nutrition can impact your academic and social development in college.

Listen to Part II of Raven's experience about how she has learned to turn her ADD attributes into her superpower. In this episode, Raven discusses how she has learned to identify and distinguish her learning with ADD and how that has helped her reach her educational goals. Raven shares about her thoughts on linear vs non-linear thinking and how this has impacted how she learns and approaches her academics.  We discuss how Raven determined that online learning, particularly asynchronous classes,  has allowed her to develop her focus inertia in which she is able to pivot her attention on different subjects when needed. 

Listen to Raven's story about how she pursues a degree in architecture all while being a newlywed, working part time and managing her ADD. She was not sure what she wanted to do when graduated high school, so she decided to take 2 years off to figure out if college was for her. She made the decision to follow her passion and shares how she manages her ADD and uses it to her advantage with her academics.