Learn what a Senior Operations Research Scientist at Wayfair does, how Ryo Kimura got into this role, and what career advice he has learned. He received his bachelor's degree from Oberlin College in Mathematics and his master's and Ph.D. in operations research from Carnegie Mellon University. His previous work experience includes being a research Fellow at GE Global Research and a Data Analysis Intern at Compassionate Care Hospice. Timestamps: 0:28: An overview of what a research operations scientist does 1:09: His typical roles and responsibilities 4:59: What the software engineering aspect of his roles entails 6:10: An example of the projects he works on 9:17: The typical timeline of his projects 10:57: What he likes about the role 12:04: Challenges of the role 13:05: The education requirements for his role 22:09: Advice on applying to operations research roles 23:23: General career advice
In this interview, Grant Sheely will share what he does in his current role, how he got this role, and some career advice he has learned. He received his bachelor's degree from Oberlin College in Math and Physics, with a minor in Environmental studies. His work experience includes being a Green House Gas Inventory Intern at Oberlin College, a Sustainability Coordinator at Vornado Realty Trust, and a Project Manager at MaGrann Associates. He is now a Codes and Policy Project Analyst at the New Buildings Institute. We discuss:
Jack Armstrong shares about his career path and current role as a Financial Services Representative at Barnum Financial Group. He received his bachelor's degree from Providence College in Business and Managerial Economics and his previous work experience includes being an Account Manager with Coastline Risk and working at the front desk of the Cape Cod Country Club. We discuss:
0:39 - What he does in his current role as a Financial Services Representative
2:17 - The educational courses required to move up from his role within the company
3:53 - How to take certification courses
5:14 - What a typical day or week is like for him
6:35 - Barnum’s company culture
7:10 - Overview of what customer outreach entails
9:01 - How long outreach phone calls last
11:21 - What the on-the-job training is like
12:22 - The long-term trajectory of the role
12:57 - The typical timeline for moving up
1437 - What he likes about the role
15:16 - What the industry is like
15:36 - Challenges of the role
16:27 - Industry drop-out rates
17:24 - How success is measured
17:53 - His company’s culture around competition
19:06 - What made him interested in this field, position, and company
20:58 - Prerequisites to apply
22:41 - Most important qualities for the job
24:19 - Advice on how to explore whether this role is a good fit
26:14 - Types of roles that can help you gain experience
27:22 - General career advice
In this episode, Nolan Piatkowski describes his career path and current role as a Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Analyst at IMAX. He received his bachelor's degree from Northeastern University in Finance and Business Analytics. His work experience includes working as an FP&A Coop at Salsify and as a Corporate Finance Coop at Boston Consulting Group. We discuss:
His current role:
0:44 - Overview of his current role
1:36 - His roles and responsibilities
2:33 - The timeline of his tasks
6:27 - How many projects he works on simultaneously
7:03 - What a typical day looks like
7:39 - How social his role is
8:34 - How collaborative his assignments are
9:47 - What he likes about the role
10:40 - Challenges of the role
12:00 - What the training was like
13:12 - Examples of specialties within IMAX
Career path:
14:17 - What made him interested in finance
14:54 - Why he wanted to be an FP&A analyst
15:41 - Factors he did and didn't want in a role
Advice:
17:12 - Advice on how to explore career options
18:25 - Advice when applying to jobs
19:27 - Networking advice
20:43 - Advice on how to set yourself up for success
22:25 - General career advice
Evan Carter describes his career path and current role as a cinematographer. He received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Political Science and after college has held many different filmmaking roles including being the Director of Photography on an Emmy award-winning PBS show and working on a wide variety of projects such as a documentary about feminists in Chile, and commercials for brands like Huggies and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. He is currently a Freelance Filmmaker, working as both a production company and as an individual part of a team in multiple roles. We discuss:
0:56 - An overview of his role
1:51 - The difference between cinematography and other filmmaking roles
5:44 - How he gets his projects
6:07 - The challenges of freelancing
7:15 - Aspects he likes about his role
8:06 - What a typical day and week is like as a cinematographer
9:24 - How much travel the role entails
12:02 - An overview of the film making process
14:23 - How many projects he works on simultaneously
17:07 - Things he loves about the role
18:44 - How he got into his current role
22:14 - How to get into the filmmaking world
23:42 - Advice on how to be proactive in getting into the film industry
25:15 - Advice on how to get film experience
27:14 - The culture of film sets
28:31 - Advice on how to network
31:39 - General career advice
In this episode, Jani-Mikael Kuusisto describes his career path in the corporate world and how he switched over to founding and running his own startup. We discuss:
His current role:
His career path:
Career advice:
In this interview, Gabrielle Mauro describes her career path from getting her degree in social work to her current role as a Senior Patient and Customer Experience Specialist for neurosurgery patients and families at Northwell Health. She received his bachelor's degree from Siena College in social work and her Master's degree in social work from Adelphi University. Her previous work experience includes working being a Teacher Aide at Nassau BOCES, a social work case manager at Bethany House of Nassau County Corporation, and a Coordinator of Neurology and Critical Care at Northwell Health. We discuss:
In this interview, Kellie Bland describes her career path and current role. She is currently a Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of State. She received his bachelor's degree from Elon University in Communications and her Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Her previous work experience includes working as an English Teacher Trainer for the Peace Corps, as a Shriver Peaceworker Fellow for Friends of Patterson Park, and as a Team Development Specialist for AFS Intercultural Programs. We discuss:
0:38: Overview of current role
1:29: Most common roles and responsibilities
3:07: The process and timeline for some of her tasks
4:55: How many projects she works on simultaneously
5:35: What a typical day is like
7:41: Examples of her work outside of on demand tasks
11:04: Additional roles of the job
12:56: The benefit of having diverse and dynamic roles
13:05: Things she likes and finds challenging about her role
14:44: Opportunities for moving up or into different roles
16:12: The process of moving up
18:26: What the training was like for her role
20:51: The prerequisites to getting into her role
22:55: The points of her career path that led her to this role
25:42: The job qualities she learned she did and didn't want along her path
28:03: Advice for reframing the question of "what do you want to do"
28:24: Advice for those who want to follow her path
30:38: Advice on how to explore career options
31:00: Career advice to decrease stress
In this interview, Erik Schnurstein describes his career path and current role as a Manager of Change Management and Communications for Ford Motor Company, where he has worked for over 20 years. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in French and English and his Master’s in Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University. His previous work experience includes working as a Department Manager of Market Research for CX Group, as an Installation Coordinator for General Motors, and as a Project Analyst and Team Leader for Trilogy International.
We discuss:
0:48: An overview of his current role
2:30: Examples of tasks in his role
3:46: His typical roles and responsibilities
4:30: What a typical day in his role is like
15:35: How many projects he typically works on at a time and their average timeline
18:43: Opportunities for moving up
23:33 Tips on how to achieve a promotion
25:30: Additional advice on how to move up
28:51: How he got into this career
34:05: The impact jobs that weren't on his resume had on his career path
40:30: Advice on how to figure out what you want to do
43:14: Advice on whether an MBA is helpful
45:54: Advice on how to strategize your professional development
48:29: Questions to ask yourself about what type of company to work for
49:12: Advice on how to effectively manage your time
In this interview, Mimi Schwanda describes her career path as a teacher and her current role as a high school Math Teacher and a Dorm Head at Episcopal High School. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in mathematics and her Master’s in Education from the University of Virginia. Her previous work experience includes working as a teaching assistant in Andover Massachusetts.
We discuss:
00:38: An overview of what she does as a high school Math Teacher and a Dorm Head
1:27: Her typical roles and responsibilities
4:53: Her typical schedule in a typical week
7:55: Her annual schedule
9:28: When she plans her lessons
11:56: Things she likes and finds challenging about the role
14:05: Opportunities for moving up
19:32: What the training entails for her roles
21:36: Why she wanted to be a teacher and work at an independent school
24:00: Why she chose to work at a boarding school
26:10: Advice for aspiring teachers
27:46: Advice on the interview and application process
In this episode, I interview Meredith Davis about her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in English and her master’s in occupational therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her previous work experience includes working as a Concierge at BF Saul, a Circulation manager for France Magazine at the French Embassy, and an Occupational Therapy Assistant at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She is currently a Therapy Supervisor at the League Education and Treatment Center. We discuss:
0:46: An overview of her current role
1:57: What a typical day is like
3:20: The types of problems she helps her students with
4:08: The distinction between occupational therapy and speech therapy
5:58: The typical patient timeline
8:22: How students are typically referred to her
9:33: The process of determining a student's needs and goals
11:40: The level of treatment customization for students
15:02: An overview of the collaboration with other professionals in the role
17:10: The highs and challenges of her role
19:34: The training required for her role
22:00: Why she chose this career path
23:00: What she likes more about her current role than to previous jobs
24:47: Advice for narrowing down one's career interest
26:07: Advice for how to prepare for a career in occupational therapy in college
26:58: General career advice
Today we are talking with Charlotte McLaren about her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in biology and economics and her Master’s in Business Administration from UNC. Her previous work experience includes working as a Sales Analyst for Sun Life Financial, as a Manager of Corporate Development at Premier Inc., and as a Client Executive for IBM. She is currently a Strategic Account Director at Salesforce.
We discuss:
0:41: An overview of her current role
1:37: Her typical roles and responsibilities
3:12: The typical process of her sales deals
4:48: The typical timeline of a sales deal
5:41: Examples of what client meetings are about
7:40: Examples of types of products she sells
8:48: How long people typically stay in this role
10:01: How success is measured
12:02: Benefits of the role
13:17: What a typical day is like
15:16: How social the role is
17:52: Challenges of the role
18:50: How she got into this role
21:16: Why she chose Salesforce
22:34: Prerequisites for going into sales
23:37: Pros and cons of getting an MBA for a sales job
26:28: Advice for how to be successful in a sales role
In this episode, Madelyn Buitendorp describes her first role out of college as a Strategy Associate at Penta Group. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in political science and her previous work experience includes working as an Intern with Rock the Vote, as the director of communications for the college crisis initiative, and as a senior admissions fellow for Davidson College. We discuss:
- 0:34: An overview of her current role
- 1:35: Examples of projects
- 2:26: What a typical day or week is like in the role
- 6:29: The typical length of projects
- 8:14: How projects are assigned
- 10:11: What she likes and finds challenging about the role
- 13:31: Why she was interested in this role
- 16:56: What the training entailed
- 19:23: How long people usually stay in the associate role
- 21:46: General career advice
- 25:09: Networking advice
- 28:03: Final advice
In this episode, Caitlin Ranson describes her career path and current role. She received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Studio Art and her Master's in Architecture from Clemson University.
Her previous work experience includes working as a Marketing Director for William Rawn Associates, Architects, and as a Designer for McMillan Pazdan Smith. She is currently a Project Architect at Hacker. We discuss:
Her Current Role
0:39: Overview of what she does as a Project Architect
2:23: Examples of types of projects she works on
3:59: The typical timeline of her projects
5:00: How many projects she works on at a time
5:39: Her roles and responsibilities
7:35: A typical day/ week in her role
8:56: The most common areas of specialization
10:31: How social her role is
12:30: What she likes and finds challenging about her role
Her Career Path:
14:03: Why she wanted to become an architect
15:32: Education and experience required to become an architect
18:15: Opportunities for moving up
Advice:
20:18: Advice for choosing your first firm
22:28: General career advice
Today we are talking with Kirsten Allen about her career path and current role. She received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in psychology and her Master's in Sport and Performance Psychology and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. Her previous work experience includes working as a Research Assistant for the US Olympic Committee and as a Sport and Performance Psychology Consultant for the Center for Performance Excellence. She is currently a Sports and Rehabilitation Psychologist at the Shepherd Center. We discuss:
Her Current Role
1:05: Description of her current role
2:41: Her roles and responsibilities
4:02: How social the role is
5:23: An overview of her patient interactions
7:01: What she likes and finds challenging
8:15: Examples of collaboration between practitioners
9:30: Her process of assessing patients
11:28: Opportunities for moving up
Her Career Path
12:30: An overview of how she got into this path
13:43: How she chose her graduate school program
14:21: Why she got a PsyD in addition to her masters
15:05: The difference between a Ph.D. and a PsyD
16:30: Why she chose sports psychology for her master's instead of social work or counseling
17:24: Differences between masters in psychology specialties
18:09: The difference in ability to practice between a master's and a doctorate of psychology
19:38: What can you do as a practitioner with a master's in psychology
21:15: Why she chose a PsyD over a Ph.D.
25:26: Financial differences between a master's and a doctorate
26:28: The timing of psychology graduate school options
28:45: An overview of the internship process
29:45: Post-graduate school steps
30:46: Stipends for Ph.D. vs PsyD
31:39: Options for income during graduate school
32:27: Job qualities she learned she did and didn’t want
34:21: Her plans for creating her own private practice
Her Advice:
36:23: Advice for picking a career track in psychology
38:11: Advice on how to get experience in different roles before internship
39:16: Advice for picking a graduate school
40:58: Advice for how to stand out in graduate school applications
43:55: General career advice
In this episode, Maddie Brodrick describes her career path and current role. She received his bachelor's degree from Colby College in environmental policy and philosophy. She has interned with the Maine Conservation Voters, and in the Environmental Crimes Section of the US Department of Justice and is now a Legal Assistant with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Environmental and Natural Resource Department (ENRD), Environmental Enforcement Section (EES). We discuss:
Her current role:
0:40: An overview of the Department of Justice Pathways Program for recent graduates
1:14: Her current role and main responsibilities
3:04: What a typical week is like
4:03: Examples of projects she works on
4:40: What she likes and finds challenging
6:26: Opportunities to learn
9:50: How social the role is
10:58: How many projects she works on simultaneously
Her career path:
12:15: Why she was interested in this role
13:36: How she got this role
15:39: Characteristics she has learned she does and doesn’t want in a role
Advice
18:38: Advice on applying to jobs
18:52: How applying to a federal job was unique for her
Listen to Alex Stoller describe her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Art History and Studio Art and her master's in Exhibition Design from George Washington University.
She has worked as a Lead Designer for the Sweetlife Music Festival, as a Designer and Project Manager for the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington DC, as a Store Designer and Project Associate for Sweetgreen, and as a Director of Art for Swatchroom. She is currently an Art Consultant for LK Art Consultants. We discuss:
0:39: What she does as an Art Consultant
1:41: Her main roles and responsibilities
4:15: How much traveling she does in her role
5:37: The purpose of travel in her role
5:55: The difference between her role and an art broker
7:16: Examples of types of projects she does and the steps they entail
11:56: What she likes and finds challenging about the role
14:00: Opportunities for moving up
14:57: The biggest points in her career path that led her to this role
16:15: Why she went to grad school for design
17:18: Her jobs before her current role
19:27: Career advice
19:47: Other job opportunities within art
21:22: Whether graduate school is necessary to move up
22:01: How she started her own company
23:49: Ways to prepare now for a career in art
25:24: Advice on how to get experience in the art world
26:51: Advice on persistence
In this episode, Mike Jucewicz describes his career path working for the federal government in finance roles and what he currently does. After college, he worked for seven years in the US Army as a Financial Management Analyst, as a Student of the Defense Comptrollership Program, and as a Lead Budget Analyst. He is now a Senior Budget Analyst at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller. We discuss:
His Current Role
0:46: An overview of the Office of the Secretary of Defense
1:28: An overview of his role as a Senior Budget Analyst
3:29: His most common roles and responsibilities
6:02: The steps of vetting a budget request
8:10: The timeline of a budget oversight process
8:55: What a typical day/week is like
11:28: What determines his goals on projects
13:18: A breakdown of how social his role is
15:35: What he likes and finds challenging about his role
17:35: An example of a crisis situation that impacts his responsibilities
21:10: An overview of government job pay scales
His Career Path
23:29: Career path steps that led to his current role
26:19: How the Army paid for his graduate school
26:50: What drew him to the Army
27:38: The pay scale on his federal career path
28:39: What he's learned he does and doesn't want in a role
30:07: Clarifying the distinction between his role and accounting roles
32:46: How he chose what qualities to prioritize in a job
Advice:
35:40: General career advice
37:53: How he leveraged his network in an unusual way to get on his current career path
40:03: The importance of balance in one’s career
In this interview, Tomás Husted describes his career in foreign affairs research and what he does in his current role as an Analyst of African Affairs at the Congressional Research Service. After getting his bachelor's degree from Davidson College, he worked as a Research Associate for the Congressional Research Service and as a Strategy and Development Fellow for the International Rescue Committee. We discuss:
His career path
0:34: His original career interests
3:00: Why he chose to be a research associate
4:54: How he got his role at the Congressional Research Service
6:55: An overview of the Princeton in Africa Program
9:35: How his experience living in Africa shaped his career path
His current role
12:58: An overview of the Congressional Research Service
19:23: Examples of common tasks in his role
28:53: His biggest roles and responsibilities
31:29: What he likes and finds challenging about the role
Advice:
36:57: Advice for careers in foreign affairs
38:41: General career advice
40:36: Tips for how to be a better writer
47:00: Tips for how to be a better presenter
Today we are talking with Anjan Mukherjee about his career path and current role. After getting his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Music, he worked in a variety of research roles including as a Research Associate for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and as a Research Director for US Senator Chris Coons and for the League of Conservation Voters. He then was a Partner at Hone Strategies, a communications and strategy agency, before founding his own strategic communications firm, Tunlaw Strategies where he is currently a Principal. We discuss:
His career path:
0:52: What his original career interests were
3:13: His career path from political research to strategic communications
6:47: Why he switched roles when he did
6:57: What to expect for job duration in politics
7:44: Why he switched industries from research to strategic communications
8:21: What he loved about opposition research
11:34: His role as a Research Director for Senator Chris Coons
13:37: His experience working for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
15:14: His experience working on a presidential campaign
His current role:
21:03: His pivot into communications
23:42: The factors he looks for in a role
25:11: Keys to success in communications he learned through experience
26:16: What a communications strategy firm does
30:06: Examples of types of projects in his current role
32:46: The typical duration of projects
34:31: What a typical day/ week is like
38:18: How social his role is
40:09: Advice
