In this episode, Brian Piotrowski sits down with Dorothy Schneider, a storyteller whose career bridges the worlds of journalism and corporate communications. From her early days in local newsrooms to leading communications in the nuclear energy sector, Dorothy shares how storytelling has remained the common thread throughout her journey.
She opens up about what it takes to communicate complex technical information in a way that builds trust and understanding, how the shift from print to digital media reshaped her approach, and how she navigated career transitions with resilience and creativity.
Whether you’re in media, engineering, or corporate comms, this conversation offers an inside look at how clear, authentic communication drives engagement inside companies and out in the community.
In this episode of Candidate Spotlight, I sit down with Jose Perez, a mechanical engineer whose hands-on curiosity evolved into a career focused on automation, robotics, and manufacturing innovation.
Jose shares how early inspiration from his father led him into mechanical engineering, how his internships shaped his technical foundation, and how working at Tesla taught him the importance of adaptability, resilience, and troubleshooting under pressure.
He also discusses the growing role of automation and controls engineering in modern manufacturing and how ergonomics, maintainability, and learning from failure are key to creating efficient, human-centered systems.
If you are interested in connecting with Jose, feel free to reach out to him on LinkedIn.
In this episode of Candidate Spotlight, Shweta Seth shares her journey in software engineering, detailing her experiences at Rivian and Apple. She discusses the challenges and learning opportunities in startup culture, the importance of teamwork and adaptability, and her aspirations to integrate AI into her work. Shweta emphasizes the need for engineers to value their contributions and adapt to changing project requirements while maintaining a focus on the common goals of their teams.
To connect with Shweta, connect with her on LinkedIn:
In this episode of Candidate Spotlight, I sit down with Apollo Jones Jr., a recent manufacturing and mechanical engineering graduate making his way in the industry. He talks about how his love for math and problem-solving shaped his career path and why he sees engineering as both a challenge and a passport to opportunity.
Apollo reflects on standout experiences, from designing safer nuclear reactor systems at Idaho National Lab to working on AI image recognition projects, exploring headphone design with Beats, and contributing to innovations at Oshkosh like the USPS’s next-generation delivery vehicle.
Now four months into his first full-time role, Apollo shares how starting in assembly and quality assurance taught him the value of detail, discipline, and persistence. With aspirations to grow into project management and new certifications, he carries a clear message: never stop learning.
Connect with Apollo Jones Jr. on LinkedIn to follow his journey.
This week on The Offer Letter – Candidate Spotlight, we sit down with Brian Hannigan, a mechanical engineer whose career has roots in the Oil and Gas industry.
Brian takes us inside his journey from starting out as a design engineer to stepping into senior level roles where client interaction and leadership became just as critical as technical expertise.
If you want to connect with Brian reach out to him on his LinkedIn
Michael Ostbye shares his extensive experience in customer service across the outdoor and automotive industries. He discusses the evolution of customer loyalty, the impact of Google reviews, and the importance of going the extra mile for customers. Michael emphasizes the need for empathy in customer interactions and the significance of building relationships. He also highlights the role of data in decision-making while maintaining a human touch in service. The conversation concludes with Michael's aspirations for the future of customer experience and advice for business leaders. If you want to reach out to Michael connect with https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostbye/
The Offer Letter – Candidate Spotlight flips the script on recruiting podcasts by putting job seekers at the center. With unemployment rising and layoffs from companies like Oracle and ConocoPhillips making headlines, this series gives real candidates a platform to share their stories , the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between.