Overview: Personal finance expert and multimedia sensation Farnoosh Torabi ’02 Business shares her journey from a Schreyer Scholar to a renowned financial journalist. She discusses the importance of taking leaps of faith, staying curious, and leveraging unique opportunities at Penn State to forge a successful career. Scholars should listen to this episode to gain insights into navigating academic and career paths, understanding the value of diverse experiences, and learning how to position themselves as experts in their fields. Farnoosh's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion. It is particularly useful for any Scholar in the Smeal College of Business, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, or any looking to start their own media presence. Guest Bio: Farnoosh Toabi ’02 Business is a leading personal finance authority, bestselling author, and creator of the Webby award-winning podcast So Money. As one of America's favorite go-to money experts, she has been a strategic advisor to millions on financial matters.  Torabi's critically acclaimed podcast, So Money, has surpassed 35 million downloads, featuring interviews with notable figures like Arianna Huffington, Margaret Cho, Queen Latifah, and Barbara Corcoran. Her work has been widely recognized, with her most recent book, A Healthy State of Panic, named a Best Book of the Year by Newsweek in 2023. Her financial expertise has been highlighted in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Time, Marie Claire, Glamour, Redbook, and USA Today. She frequently appears on prominent news and talk shows, including NBC Today, Good Morning America, and Live! With Kelly. She’s earned several Penn State honors, including the Alumni Fellow Award in 2024, Smeal Distinguished Achievement Award in 2023, the Schreyer Honors College Outstanding Alumni Award in 2013, and the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award in 2010. In 2017, she was the commencement speaker for the Smeal College of Business, and in 2019 she served as the Homecoming Grand Marshal. ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Overview: Jennifer Baaklini ’11 Com joins Following the Gong to share her journey from print journalism student to global digital engagement strategist and leader. Jennifer walks through her time at Penn State Abington, University Park, and around the globe studying abroad, participating in THON, working jobs on campus, and her diligent search for a role after graduation. She shares great advice for current Scholars and early career alumni on the search for jobs one and two. Jennifer also dives into industry specific advice for those in communications, journalism, and public relations, especially for those seeking leadership opportunities beyond technical expertise work. As a new mom, she also shares value time and energy management insights that can be helpful for any Scholar. While particularly beneficial to Scholars in storytelling spaces, any Scholar can gain value advice from this must listen discussion. Jennifer’s bio is available below. Guest Bio: Jennifer Baaklini ’11 Communications is Director of Digital Strategy at FGS Global, where she specializes in advising clients on digital strategy with a focus on foreign policy and international affairs. Before joining FGS in 2019, she worked at the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education advancing U.S. government exchange programs and people-to-people understanding. This followed a short stint as a local journalist in her hometown. She earned her bachelor of art in Journalism with Honors from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2011. She also earned her MBA from George Washington University. ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Overview:  Greg Lucier ’86 Eng joined Following the Gong while at University Park to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by Penn State upon an alum, to record live in the new Engineering Design and Innovation Building. Greg shared his experiences as a University Scholar studying industrial engineering and how he used his IE experiences, coupled with an MBA from Harvard University, to take on progressively higher levels of responsibility, from the factory floor at International Paper, to the executive and even CEO office at major firms, including GE and NuVasive, the latter of which was acquired by ThermoFisher Scientific. Greg, as a long-time manager, shares advice for Scholars and new grads seeking internships and entry level roles, including finding what you do and do not want to pursue for a career path. He also shares insight on stepping out to pursue an MBA, especially for non-Smeal grads, and translating experiences at legacy industries to high-tech companies and working internationally and serving on corporate boards. Greg also shares use-now advice for Scholars leading teams and people including their clubs and organizations and managing multiple commitments. This episode is great for any Scholar, especially those interested in careers in engineering, healthcare, management, and entrepreneurship. Greg’s full bio is available below. Guest Bio: Greg Lucier ’86 Engineering is the CEO and founder of Corza Health, Inc., a company focused on acquiring companies and assets to build market-leading healthcare businesses. Greg most recently served as Chairman and CEO at NuVasive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive spine and orthopedic surgery. Prior to that, he was Chair- man and CEO at Life Technologies which he grew into a global life sciences powerhouse that was acquired by ThermoFisher Scientific for more than $15 billion. He spent the first part of his career with General Electric— including GE Healthcare—in a variety of corporate officer and executive roles.  Greg serves on several public and private company boards, including Antylia Scientific, Catalent, Corza Medical, Maravai Life Sciences, and chairs Dentsply Sirona, the largest dental technology company globally. He has been actively involved in a variety of community and civic engagements, including serving as the Chairperson for Sanford Burnham Research Institute in La Jolla, California, and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Greg earned his B.S. in industrial engineering from Penn State’s College of Engineering with Honors and an MBA from Harvard Business School. ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Overview: CW: includes discussion of sexual assault, alcohol and DUI, and other trauma-inducing topics Social worker Dr. Sherry Burnette ’83 Lib joins Following the Gong to talk all things 1980s Penn State & University Scholars Program and her career in the social work sphere. Sherry provides insight on using a degree in psychology, working between undergraduate and graduate school, and counseling and social work roles. Sherry earned her bachelors of art in psychology with honors from Penn State in 1983, as well as MSW, MPH, and PhD degrees. This episode is great for any Scholar interested in the helping professions! Sherry’s full bio is available below. Guest Bio:  Dr. Sherry Burnette ’83 Liberal Arts is currently a Professor at PennWest University (formerly Edinboro University of Pennsylvania) and teaches in the Masters of Social Work Program. Before joining PennWest in 2010, Sherry served as the Vermont Agency of Human Services Trauma Coordinator, Director of Crime Victim Services for the Vermont Department of Corrections and as a medical Social Work Clinician on the Trauma Unit at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She graduated from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts with a bachelor of arts in psychology with honors in 1983. She earned her master of social work from the School of Social Work at Simmons University (MA), and her master of public health and doctor of philosophy in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Overview: Jennifer “JPags” Paganelli ‘02 is the President of Earned Media Relations at Real Chemistry. She joins Following the Gong to share her experiences in science and healthcare media, communications, and storytelling, including transitioning to working in a STEM field with a Liberal Arts background. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those interested in storytelling in any format, especially translating expertise to mass communication and earned media. JPags’ full bio and a chapter breakdown are available below. Guest Bio: Jennifer “JPags” Paganelli ‘02 Liberal Arts is the President of Earned Media Relations at Real Chemistry, an integrated healthcare communications agency that supports organizations and companies in the life science and medical space. She leads a team of 60 dedicated storytellers who work with reporters all day every day to help shape news on behalf of clients working feverishly to develop medicines and provide services across the healthcare spectrum. JPags has spent her entire career in the healthcare realm but ironically, didn't have a super-strong interest in science or medicine growing up! She was more interested in writing and pop culture, thinking she'd be a magazine editor or reporter. Little did she know the wild ride she'd take in her career! JPags graduated PSU in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication (now CAS) with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts. She loves the healthcare communications field, had no clue it was even a career option - she's thrilled to speak further about the role of media relations and communications in today's fast-changing landscape. Please feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn where you can find her as Jennifer Paganelli Schwartz. ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Overview: Penn State Field Hockey Associate Head Coach Laura Gebhart ’15 Agr visits the Following the Gong studio to discuss all things field hockey, coaching, and community & economic development. Laura grew up in Lancaster County and came to Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College as a Scholar Athlete. She shares how she worked to find the right major for her, got involved in THON, and won a Big Ten Title in Field Hockey. Laura gives her advice for Scholars and student athletes on navigating perfection and demanding schedules, and provides insight on life after athletics, which looks different for everyone. She also pulls back the curtain on coaching an Olympic sport and talks about NIl and gender equity in sports. This is a must watch/listen for any Scholar – especially those unsure of what comes after College, is heavily involved on campus, dealing with rejections (like hers from the US national team,) and those who are interested in coaching or community & economic development careers. It’s also great for any student athlete, whether a Scholar or not. Laura’s full bio and chapter markers detailing the topics discussed are below.   Guest Bio: Laura Gebhart ’15 Agricultural Sciences is the Associate Head Field Hockey Coach at Penn State, where she engages in all areas of the program – from player development and on-field coaching, to recruiting and operations. Before coming back to Penn State, Laura coached at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island – first as the assistant coach, and then as the head coach. Prior to that, Gebhart led a career in economic development, working with two separate non-profits: EDC of Lancaster County (Lancaster, PA) and the Montpelier Development Corporation (Montpelier, VT). Along the way, Gebhart trained with the U.S. Women's National Team, coached a high school program, and volunteer coached at the University of Vermont. Gebhart earned a B.S. in Community, Environment, and Development (Community & Economic Development Option) with Honors from Penn State in 2015. Gebhart is also happy to speak further about ice cream, birding, and crocheting. Please feel free to connect with them at @coach_gebhart on Instagram or LinkedIn. Episode Topic & Chapters 00:04       Introductions and how Laura discovered field hockey 02:38       Pursuing playing D1 college sports 03:44       Collegiate sports recruitment 05:36       Selecting the CED major in Ag Sciences from being undecided 07:18       Planning for life beyond being a Scholar Athlete 08:33       Balancing life as a Scholar and as an Athlete 09:27       Roles of different advisors 10:20       Additional campus opportunities 12:01       THON as an athlete 15:31       Reflecting on athletic accomplishments 16:53       The Honors Thesis 18:37       Transitioning to life as an alum 22:59       Overcoming setbacks 24:08       Full time roles in economic development 25:58       Getting into coaching 28:42       Volunteer coaching 31:52       Taking a step back to take two forward by returning to Penn State 34:25       The roles of the coaching staff 37:19       Year in the life of a Division I coach 40:42       Day-in-the-life of a coach in-season 42:33       Challenges of coaching and supporting high-achieving students 46:01       The impact of NIL on athletics 53:07       Jump here for post NIL discussion to the Olympics 55:25       Coaching against former teammates - personal vs professional in the workplace 57:32       Fundraising and facilities 59:55       Things not asked 01:04:02                   Biggest successes and failures 01:09:27                   Laura's thoughts on mentorship 01:11:12                   Shoutouts

Overview: Architectural engineer turned consultant turned technology solutions engineer Brad Zanette joins the show from New York City to share his perspectives and advice for current Scholars and young alumni. Brad came to Penn State and made the most of his opportunities during his five years at University Park, earning his bachelors and masters in architectural engineering while completing several internships, including work on the earlier stages of the East Halls renovation project. One of those internships led to a full-time role at Deloitte and subsequent work at Oracle. While certainly useful for engineering Scholars, this episode is great for any Scholars who have multiple interests and want to hear unique strategies for setting themselves apart in the job search. Brad’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bio: Brad Zanette ’18 Engineering is a lead principal solution engineer at Oracle in New York, New York (remote/occasional travel) where he helps business within the Architecture, Engineering, & Construction ("AEC") industry undergo large scale digital business transformations. Before joining Oracle in 2021, he previously worked in consulting with Deloitte and construction management with several general contractors and a subcontractor. He earned both a bachelors and masters of architectural engineering with honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2018. He's happy to discuss growing up in northeast PA, working construction, studying in China, and living in New York. Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn. Episode Topic & Chapters: 00:05       Introductions and how Brad came to Penn State 01:11       Choosing and defining architectural engineering 05:17       Deloitte Leadership Development Center 06:38       Other leadership opportunities 08:41       Carefully selecting the best fitting study abroad program 11:55       The Honors Thesis 16:18       Early career and internship success 20:29       East Halls renovation project 23:05       AEC - the construction acronym at work 27:22       Consulting 34:38       Deciding to leave consulting 36:22       Construction tech 39:40       Transitioning from on-site to desk work 42:08       Continuing education and lifelong learning 44:21       Outside community and industry involvement 46:35       Resume and LinkedIn tips 50:53       Questions that should have been asked 54:17       Biggest successes and failures 57:42       Thoughts on mentorship 01:01:48   Shoutouts 01:03:31   Brad's final piece of advice 01:04:50   How to connect with Brad 01:05:05   Which Creamery Ice Cream flavor Brad would be and why + wrap up  ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted, produced,...

Overview: Industrial engineer Apoorva Mathur ’18 joins FTG from Oregon to discuss her career at the intersection of manufacturing and the transition to zero emissions vehicles. She shares how she came to Penn State, and leveraged internships in a variety of fields and clubs on campus to find her academic and career interests. Apoorva details her participation in a career rotation program at Daimler and approaches her work – from Germany to Detroit to Portland – in transitioning primarily commercial and industrial vehicles to alternative forms of zero emissions power train systems. She leads efforts in this space while also championing sustainability and women in STEM at her company and earning her masters in data analytics from Georgia Tech. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those figuring out what major they want to pursue and also those interested in manufacturing, automative, or sustainability programs. Apoorva’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bio: Apoorva Mathur ’18 Engineering is the ESG Program Manager at Daimler Truck North America in Portland, OR where she manages the company's ESG initiatives and communication. Before joining DTNA in 2018, she previously interned at General Motors and Boeing where they grew their passion for the manufacturing industry. She earned a BS in Industrial Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2018. She also earned a Masters in Data Analytics from Georgia Tech. She is also happy to speak further about emerging technologies in the automotive field and living and working globally. Please feel free to connect with her on Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/apoorvamathur1/ Episode Topic & Chapters: 00:05       Introductions and why Apoorva chose Penn State 02:16       Internships galore as a Scholar 08:31       Finding your academic and career passions 12:14       Research opportunities 17:11       Campus opportunities to pursue other passions - like dance programs and SHO Time! 19:53       Why the automotive sector most resonated with Apoorva 22:18       Career entry programs like Daimler's CAReer program 27:46       Breaking down the terminology 31:09       Graduating out of the training programs 33:23       Connecting with diverse and long-tenured employees as a new employee 36:06       Transitioning to EVs, from the vehicles to the assembly 44:49       EV mythbusting 48:26       Skills for working in the EV space 52:57       Advice for Scholars whose careers will take them far beyond home 56:10       Apoorva's thoughts on mentorship 59:42       Continuing education as an alum and working professional 01:06:04                   Seeking balance as a young professional 01:10:23                  Unasked questions 01:13:57                  Advice for women in STEM 01:22:28                  Shoutouts 01:24:34                  Apoorva's final piece of advice 01:27:30                  Which Creamery flavor Apoorva would be and why ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to B...

Overview: Scholar Alumna and seasoned supply chain management executive Kristyn Harkins ’02 Bus joins FTG to discuss her career. Kristyn shares how her time at Penn State, from classes to clubs to her Honors Thesis, influenced her career and helped her rise through the ranks as a woman in supply chain at Johnson & Johnson. Kristyn now leads teams of thousands with responsibility for J&J’s entire supply chain in their North American med tech operations. This episode is great for any Scholar to enjoy, and especially those in business or STEM disciplines. Kristyn’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bio: Kristyn Harkins ’02 Bus is currently the Vice President, MedTech Deliver Americas at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), leading an organization that is responsible for operations that include Distribution, Transportation, Last Mile Logistics, Customer Services & Capabilities, and several Business Excellence functions. Her team drives the Customer Experience, ensuring that Commercial go-to-market strategies & MedTech franchise requirements can be flawlessly executed. Across her more than 20 year at J&J, Kristyn has worked across the Supply Chain pillars of Plan, Source, Make & Deliver and in multiple business sectors, including Consumer Products and MedTech. She has held leadership roles in Customer Logistics, Transportation, Analytics, Planning, Sourcing, External Manufacturing, Strategy Deployment & Supply Chain Customer Solutions. Kristyn holds a BS with Honors in Business Logistics (now Supply Chain Management) from the Penn State College of Business and a University and an MBA from Rutgers University. She is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and was recognized in 2019 with a TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry) Award. Throughout her career, Kristyn has fostered a passion for developing future talent and increasing representation of women in the Supply Chain field.  She served as the liaison for J&J with the Penn State Center for Supply Chain Research for three years, and she is currently on the Advisory Board for the University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute.  Kristyn also serves as the Youth Pillar Sponsor for the J&J WiSTEM2D initiative. Kristyn lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband Tim, two sons (Aidan & Ryan), and dog (Miles). She is an avid Peloton rider and spends much of her free time cheering from the sidelines for her kids’ sporting events. Episode Topics & Chapters: 00:05       Introduction and why Kristyn chose Penn State 01:36       Selecting supply chain as a major 03:06       Current state of supply chain jobs for grads 04:13       Using teaching experience in the workplace 06:11       The value of being involved on campus 08:13       Planning events is like small business ownership 10:52       THON 12:51       The Honors Thesis! 15:29       Co-ops and first jobs after college 17:27       Advice for current Scholars and new grads 20:24       Entry-level supply chain roles 23:18       Continuing curiosity and education while working full time 26:22       Moving up while staying at one firm 29:44       Transitioning from leading one team to the next 32:10       Building relationships with outside partners, vendors, etc. 35:25       Rising to overseeing continental level division 37:45       Kristyn explains her job title and responsibilities 39:42       Addressing "last mile" challenges 42:19       Thinking like an executive 44:53       Navigating the pandemic 48:15       Dealing with sales and divestitures 50:47       Balancing work and family 57:50       Getting involved in your industry 00:17       One company careers 01:03:34          ...

Overview: Engineer Consultant Manufacturer Entrepreneur Reed Taylor ’14 Engineering joins Following the Gong from Connecticut to discuss his career story of pivoting from one role to the next, all while using his skills and experiences from being a Schreyer Scholar in Chemical Engineering. Learn how Reed went from making lifelong friends at SHO Time, participated in THON, and hit the slopes with the Penn State Ski Club before embarking on the first stages of a career in pharma, consulting, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship, with a stop at Harvard Business School mixed in. Reed shares great advice for any Scholar, but especially those with an itch to constantly learn and lead new things regardless of major. Reed’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bio: Reed Taylor ’14 is the Senior Vice President, M&A, Transformation and Strategy at Summit Wash Holdings in Norwalk, CT where he sources, researches, negotiates, and closes acquisitions of new car wash locations. He joined Summit when they acquired Soapy's Car Wash, which Reed owned with his investment partners at Saddler Capital. He also served at Vice President of Manufacturing at Spot & Tango, a human-grade pet food company, while running Soapy's Car Wash. Prior to that, he worked as Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group and Process Development Engineer at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Reed earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2014. He also earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He is happy to speak more about mergers & acquisitions, entrepreneurship through acquisition, finance, consulting, or biotech. Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn. Episode Topic & Chapters: 00:00  Introduction 00:44  Coming to Schreyer from a STEM high school in VA 01:37  Experiences at SHO Time 03:10  Deciding on an engineering discipline 05:47  Penn State THON 09:00  Using club experience in your career 10:37  Penn State Ski Club 12:55  The Honors Thesis! 19:32   Job searching as an Engineering student 22:03   Insights on entry level engineering roles 26:52   Deciding to go for an MBA 30:20   Advice for b-school for non-business majors 33:43   Consulting 38:10   Pivoting to manufacturing 46:12   Reed's career in car wash ownership 51:18   Lifelong learning 55:13   External trends in the car wash sector 01:00:58   Work life balance 01:03:22   Unasked questions 01:05:52   Biggest successes and failures 01:08:26   Thoughts on mentorship 01:09:44   Shoutouts 01:10:51   Reed's final piece of advice 01:11:51   How to connect with Reed 01:12:03    Which Creamery flavor Reed would be and why / Wrap up ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholar...

Overview: FTG goes to the animals as Jessica Greensmith ’13 Agricultural Sciences joins to talk all things zoos, conservations centers, and more! Jessica earned her BS in Animal Science with Honors in Wildlife and Fisheries with the original intention of becoming a veterinarian. Study abroad and research opportunities led her to find her path elsewhere – including ballroom dancing along the way – to working as a professional heritage interpreter at a variety of zoos and centers across the US, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom and New England. Jessica shares incredible perspectives on finding your career fit, overcoming failures and setbacks, research, and the role of volunteers in organizations like zoos. She also explains the role of zoos in the 21st century, working in a niche industry, completing fellowships and internships after college, and the power of maintaining relationships from Penn State and beyond. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those re-thinking what they wanted to be in their career, dancers, animal lovers, and those pursuing careers related to animals, non-profits and community organizations, or in smaller industries. Jessica’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bio: Jessica Greensmith ’13 Agr is a professional heritage interpreter in Boston, MA. Over the last 10 years, she has worked for Zoos, Forest Preserve Districts and conservation organizations creatively facilitating connections between people and conservation in order to deepen understanding and encourage action on behalf of wildlife and natural places. Most recently, she was Interpretation Manager at Zoo New England in Boston, MA. She earned a BS in Animal Science with Honors in Wildlife and Fisheries from Penn State in 2013. She would love to speak further with anyone interested in Conservation Psychology, Heritage Interpretation, Environmental Education or careers in Zoos, Aquariums and Museums! Connect with Jessica at jlgreensmith2@gmail.com. Episode Topic & Chapters:  00:00       Introduction 00:33       Defining professional interpretation 02:12       Deciding on Penn State and Schreyer 03:45       The PA Farm Show 05:02       Undergrad research to save the bees and studying abroad as an Ag major 09:34       Shifting off the pre-veterinarian path 11:11       Dealing with rejections from graduate programs 12:33       Finding balance outside the classroom with ballroom dance 15:02       The Honors Thesis! 21:31       Working at Disney's Animal Kingdom 25:20       Finding a next step after a professional internship 28:16       Developing people and presentations skills as an animal focused grad 31:45       Completing multiple fellowships and internships in a small field 36:21       Jess's experiences at different zoos 45:51       Working across teams in an organization & non-traditional events at the Zoo 48:45       Managing volunteers - like those in a student group 52:34       The role of the zoo in the 21st century 55:49       Getting a job at a zoo or a similarly niche industry 59:28       Managing breaks in your resume 01:04:00  Work life balance 01:09:20  Biggest successes and failures 01:12:35  Approaching mentorship 01:14:30  Shoutouts! 01:17:14  Final pieces of advice 01:18:02  How to connect with Jessica 01:19:28  Which Creamery flavor Jessica would be and why 01:21:46  Wrap up and final thoughts ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram 

Overview: Adeolu Adewumi-Zer ’00 Business and Science, a global advisor, change leader, and passionate advocate for a thriving Africa joins FTG to discuss her journey from State College to Penn State to Germany, Turkey, and now Nigeria. She shares her perspectives on majoring in math and actuarial science with an international lens. Adelou provides insight into careers in consulting and in-house corporate work both in the US and abroad and transitioning from detailed STEM work to managing and leading people in complex organizations. She also shares her experiences taking the plunge to leave corporate life and start her own firm after opening a regional office for one of the largest financial firms in the world and serving on corporate and non-profit board. This episode can be helpful for any Scholar, and is a can’t miss one for any Scholar planning to major or work in a business, consulting, and/or international setting. Adelou’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.  Guest Bio: Adeolu Adewumi-Zer ’00 Bus, Sci is a global advisor, change leader, and passionate advocate for a thriving Africa. Adeolu earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Actuarial Science and Mathematics with Honors, along with a Minor in Japanese, from Penn State in 2000 after growing up in State College. Adeolu built a stellar global financial services career spanning four continents. She most recently oversaw ca. EUR 500M investments across Africa as Regional Head of Mergers, Acquisitions and Transformation Africa for the Allianz Group, led Allianz Nigeria as CEO, and has now launched ZER Consulting Africa from Lagos, Nigeria, where she collaborates with development agencies, investment funds, startups, and social entrepreneurs, providing strategic guidance in executive leadership, business strategy, corporate governance, and value creation. Adeolu's passion for Africa extends beyond her professional pursuits, as she actively champions critical causes such as financial inclusion, gender equality, and quality education. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Adeolu frequently graces international conferences, sharing her dynamic insights on corporate governance, executive leadership, and gender empowerment. Connect with Adeolu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeoluadewumi/ Episode Topic & Chapters: 00:00       Introduction 00:47       How Adeolu came to Penn State and the Honors College 02:31       Selecting math-based majors in science and business 03:56       Using hard STEM skills in leadership roles 06:02       Being a Bunton Waller Scholar too 08:20       The Honors Thesis 10:01       Choosing industry over academia 11:54       Becoming a certified actuary 13:53       The B and C - study abroad and campus involvement 15:40       Using campus and family experiences as a manager and leader in industry 16:57       Coaches, sponsors, and mentors 19:57       Working in consulting 21:28       Going from consultant to corporate 23:22       Working in Europe and Africa 26:46       Opening a new office/branch for a company and resources for working moms internationally 30:19       What is Allianz 32:01       Going out on your own & starting your own firm 38:38       Facing challenging situations as a leader 40:39       Leadership skills to develop as a Scholar 42:09       Serving on corporate and non-profit boards 43:07       Time management strategies - saying yes and saying no 46:00       What the host didn't know to ask 47:38       Biggest success and failures 48:58       The responsibility of being sponsored 50:54       Shoutouts! 52:28       Final pieces of advice 53:52       How to get in touch with Ade...

Overview: Alumnae Yuri Unno ’95 Behrend and Amanda Blunt ’09 Lib join Following the Gong to discuss working for major automotive companies Toyota and GM, respectively, in Washington D.C. They both share their stories of finding Penn State – Yuri as an international student, Amanda as someone from “outside Philly” – and how they found interests working in trade policy, lobbying, legal affairs, and more. Both share their insights on graduate and professional school, careers in these fields, educating government administrators and legislators, and navigating the complexities of the nation’s capital. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those interested in these topics, international students, and those who live or plan to live and work in and around DC. Both Amanda and Yuri’s bios are available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bios: Yuri Unno ’95 Behrend is a federal lobbyist for Toyota Motor North America's Government Office in Washington, D.C., serving as the Director for Trade and Supply Chain. She is responsible for representing Toyota in front of the Administration and Congress on these issues. She earned her BA in Political Science with Honors and BA in Economics from the Penn State Behrend College. She also earned her MA from the Elliott School of International Studies at Gorge Washington University. Prior to her extensive career at Toyota, Yuri worked at a small consulting firm called G7 Group. Amanda Blunt ’09 Liberal Arts is Counsel for Legal Affairs and Trade at Detroit-based car company General Motors's Washington, D.C. office. She is an international trade attorney for the company and, sitting in DC, works closely with the company's lobbyists in the Global Public Policy office. She also teaches international negotiations at Georgetown Law, where she earned her JD. Before joining GM in 2021 she worked at the White House for 5 years under 3 Presidential administrations at the Office of the US Trade Representative. USTR is responsible for US trade policy, including negotiating trade deals with other countries and litigating disputes at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. While at USTR she won a case against China at the WTO, and negotiated agreements with China, the EU, Japan, and other countries as well as in international bodies like the United Nations. Prior to government service she began her career at a large law firm. She earned her BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts. She likes speaking with students about law school, politics and careers in Washington, as well as international affairs and of course, trade. Her LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-blunt-b933317/ Episode Topic & Chapters  0:00         Introductions 00:44       Choosing Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College 03:07       Advice for Scholars finishing at a campus other than University Park 03:59       Advice for international students 04:56       Amanda's Penn State origin story 06:01       Being in a sorority as a Scholar 07:29       The Honors Thesis 09:18       Transitioning from college to industry 10:29       Deciding on law school 12:43       Staying at one company for the bulk of your career 16:09       Lobbying at various levels of government 19:29       Amanda's early career in big law and the White House 20:57       Advice for Scholars looking to work in the public sector 21:46       Working in business with a liberal arts degree 24:30       Working for a "car company" but not being a "car guy" 26:15       Being the "utility infielder" for the gov relations staff 27:17       Effectively lobbying legislators and other offi...

Overview: Dr. Victoria Heasley ’14 Engineering, ‘18g Medicine joins Following the Gong to discuss her story and career. Victoria is a physician, professor, and engineer at the University of Cincinnati, where she supports community members and UC athletes in need of adaptive sports medicine to leave fuller, happier, and healthier lives. She explains what this field is, how she got into it, and how her experiences at Penn State – both in the College of Engineering and at the College of Medicine through the Early Assurance Program – laid the foundation for her career so far. This includes out of the classroom involvement that influences community non-profit work that leverages her talents and her experience as a Disney World Cast Member. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those interested in athletics, engineering, and/or medicine. Victoria’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.  Guest Bio: Dr. Victoria Heasley ’14 Eng, ‘18g Medicine is a physician at The University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati OH where she is an assistant professor in the departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering. She earned a BS in Biomedical Engineering with Honors from Penn State in 2014. She also earned her medical degree at Penn State Hershey Medical School. She is happy to speak further about her experiences in the fields of PM&R, Sports Medicine, Biomedical engineering, and her subspecialty of Adaptive Sports Medicine & Equipment. Please feel free to connect with her at her professional Instagram: @adaptivesportsdoc or via LinkedIn. Episode Topic & Chapters: 0:00         Introductions 0:21         Choosing Penn State and the SHC 1:33         Choosing the biomedical engineering major 3:05         Out of the classroom involvement 5:10         Medical volunteerism before med school 7:44         The Honors Thesis 9:52         Working at Disney World before med school 14:35       Applying to the early assurance program at the College of Medicine 18:09       Advice for aspiring physicians for succeeding in med school 20:13       Making lifelong friendships at SHC 21:43       Third year rotations and finding a specialty for residency 23:52       Defining adaptive medicine and other terms 26:44       An "average" day as an adaptive medicine physician 29:27       Working with patients 31:17       Adding teaching into your skillset as a physician 33:54       Working with athletes and community members 37:25       Adaptive medical devices and sports equipment 40:10       Skills needed for working in adaptive medicine and devices 42:37       Volunteering in the community as an alumna and starting a non-profit 46:29       The future of adaptive sports medicine 48:28       Questions the host should have asked but did not 50:25       Reflecting on successes and mistakes 54:17       Thoughts on mentorship 56:05       Shoutouts 56:51       Victoria’s final advice 58:52       How to connect with Victoria 59:30       Which Creamery flavor Victoria would be 01:00:33   Wrap up and final thoughts ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube

Overview:   Cybersecurity executive Atif Ghauri ’00 Business joins Following the Gong to discuss his career and advice for Scholars interested in both technical and relational leadership roles. Atif currently serves as the President of Ultraviolet Cyber after a career of increasingly senior roles in cyber security. Atif discusses his experience reluctantly coming to Penn State and then having an incredible experience in the Smeal College of Business and the Schreyer Honors College. Atif also shares insights from his career at companies like Comcast and the Herjeavec Group – led by Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec and taking control of your life and career. An overarching theme is making the shift from technical roles to the executive leadership in a business. Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in roles in technology and/or business. Atif’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.   Guest Bio:   Atif Ghauri ’00 Bus is currently the President of UltraViolet Cyber. He is an established C-Level Executive with 20+ years of experience in Cybersecurity, serving roles as CTO, CPO, COO, and Managing Partner. He is an energetic leader, skilled team builder, strategic thinker, and adept negotiator possessing a rare combination of both high business acumen with deep technological expertise.  He is an industry recognized expert in cybersecurity, sought after for speaking engagements and regularly quoted in media. He is an adjunct professor teaching at the University of Michigan, Drexel, Yeshiva, Rutgers, and Wharton School. Atif holds a patent for security analytics algorithms on embedded consumer devices monitoring user anomalies.   Prior to UltraViolet Cyber, Atif led Cyderes (formerly known as Herjavec Group) as COO. Atif was responsible for all go-to-market activities related to sales and product management. Reporting directly to CEO Robert Herjavec, he served multiple leadership roles in his tenure as CTO, CPO as well running revenue operations, marketing, human resources, M&A, legal, and product management. Prior to Cyderes, Atif was a Managing Partner at Mazars. He was the Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader, responsible for all aspects of the business from sales to service delivery.   Atif has held leadership roles for both business and technology organizations at Comcast. He was head of Business Operations for Xfinity Home. He also served as Chief Product Security Officer for the technology engineering group, where he directed all security work streams to launch next generation X1 Platform, including invention and deployment of his patented fraud detection technology operational on millions of subscriber devices. Prior to Comcast, Atif was Director of Security at Unisys, where he launched a global security practice focused in Application Security. He started his career as a Managing Consultant at IBM Global Services advising and implementing security to Fortune 100 companies. Atif received a Masters in Technology Management from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and Schreyer Honors College.   Episode Topics & Chapters:   00:00       Introductions 00:13       Choosing Penn State and the SHC 02:50       Starting a Business as a Student 05:09       Using Campus Leadership Roles in Your Career 06:55       The Honors Thesis 08:56       Job Searching as a Scholar and Being the "Strongest Athlete" 12:26       Communicating technical "jargon" to different audiences and deciding on technical vs business paths 16:22       Developing the skills...

Overview: Attorney Jack Yoskowitz ’89 Lib and soon-to-be-attorney Henry Deteskey ’21 HHD join Following the Gong’s first ever vide episode to discuss legal careers and the power of leveraging resources, connections, and networks. Jack is a partner and attorney at Seward and Kissel in New York where he works on complex litigation primarily in the financial services sector. Jack is also a longtime volunteer with the Schreyer Honors College where he began to mentor Henry, who is, at the time of publishing, nearing the end of his law school experience at Fordham. Jack and Henry discuss their respective paths to Penn State as New Yorkers and first-generation students, their experiences in the College including their thesis experiences working with psychological testing and incarcerated individuals, respectively, and life in law school and in “big law.” Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in legal careers. Jack and Henry’s bios are available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. Guest Bios: Jack Yoskowitz ’89 Lib is a partner in Seward & Kissel’s Litigation Group where he specializes in complex commercial and corporate litigation and regulatory matters predominantly for financial services institutions and individuals. He graduated with a BS in Psychology with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1989 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1992. Henry Deteskey ’21 HHD is a third-year law student at Fordham University School of Law in New York City. Upon graduation in May 2023, Henry will be starting as a first-year associate at Seward & Kissel LLP. Henry graduated with a BS in Biobehavioral Health and obtained Honors in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 2021. During law school, Henry has worked as an intern at the Queens District Attorney's Office, a paralegal at Schilling Law LLC, and a summer associate at Seward & Kissel. Henry is happy to speak further about going to law school straight through undergrad and being a first-generation law student. Henry's interests include blockchain, artificial intelligence, and investment management. Please feel free to connect with him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-deteskey-8b654b19b/. Episode Topics & Chapters: 00:00       Introduction 00:20       What brought Jack and Henry to Penn State 04:31       Jack's experiences as a Scholar in the 1980s 07:22       Henry's experiences as a recent Scholar - like working with incarcerated individuals 10:14       The Honors Thesis! 18:37       Henry's experience as a Scholar in a fraternity 20:23       All things law school - from deciding to go to succeeding through graduation 23:22       The power of connections and utilizing resources, aka, how Jack and Henry met and what it's meant to both 28:16       Advice for law students in their summer internships 32:17       The differences between trial and non-trial work 36:12       Working pro bono 37:37       What a first-year associate can expect in their job after law school 40:21       What law school is like in the 2020s 41:56       Working in business law - without majoring in a business discipline 45:30       Continuing education for attorneys 49:18       Life outside of work for lawyers & company culture at work 55:06       Thing the host didn't think to ask about law school and legal careers 59:19       Success and mistakes for Jack and Henry 01:05:03   Thoughts on mentorship 01:10:25   Shoutouts 01:12:58   Final pieces of advice for Scholars and aspiring attorneys 01:14:37   How to get in touch with Jack and Henry 01:15:13   Which Creamery flavors Jack and Henry would b...

Overview: Katie Legenski ’16 Eng welcomed Following the Gong to Antifragile Brewing in downtown State College where she serves as the head kombucha brewer for Moody Culture. Katie shares her experiences at Penn State Berks and in the College of Engineering, where she earned her bachelor of science in chemical engineering with honors after study abroad opportunities and a major setback on her thesis. Katie also shares her experiences deciding to pursue work in the pharmaceutical industry rather than a PhD, and her decision to uproot everything and hike the Appalachian Trail. She then explains all things kombucha, fermentation, and brewing, providing insights on this career path and the value of understanding various components of engineering and science in a field that marries her work experience and passion. Finally, Katie shares opportunities for community in State College as an alumna and powerful perspectives on finding the joy in your self-defined success. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those in STEM majors, those interested in brewing beverages like kombucha, those staying in State College after graduation, and any Scholar interested in hiking, rock climbing, or dancing. Katie’s full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics can be found in the show notes below. Guest Bio: Katie Legenski ’16 Eng is head kombucha brewer for Moody Culture in downtown State College, PA. The Moody Culture brewery is housed in the Antifragile Brewing Company taproom and brewery at 324 E Calder Way, State College. Brewing kombucha consists of choosing a brewing tea, inoculating with starter culture, maintaining the appropriate temperature for fermentation, flavoring with fruits or herbs, and carbonating the resulting beverage. Katie has been head brewer since March 2023 and has since introduced new flavors to Moody's line up including passionfruit, black currant, and the first decaf flavor: orange blossom tulsi. She's also quite proud of developing hard kombucha featuring alcohol fermented with the kombucha instead of spiking non-alcoholic kombucha with seltzer or grain ethanol which is industry standard. She earned a BS in chemical engineering in 2016 from Penn State. Prior to brewing for Moody Culture, she completed a southbound thru hike of the Appalachian Trail and worked in early drug discovery at both Glaxo Smith Kline and Johnson and Johnson. She's been fostering a love for fermentation for over a decade and is always happy to discuss all things fermentable. Other interests include social dance, rock climbing, fiber arts, and piano. She can be reached on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @kitkatlegenski. Episode Topics: What exactly kombucha is The benefits of starting at a smaller Penn State campus, and overcoming challenges of adjusting to University Park Studying abroad as an engineering student Overcoming thesis research areas deep in the process because of technical limitations How brewing is microbiology is brewing Shifting from an academia track to a workforce track in your final year of undergrad, and the importance of knowing your “why” Perspectives on working in pharmaceutical research and production Deciding to “carpe the diem” by making the decision to hike the Appalachian Trail Thoughts on walking the entire Appalachian Trail – and then adjusting back afterward Getting into homebrewing and judging The roles and responsibilities of a kombucha brewer at a small craft brewery The kombucha brewing process, including flavor development, suppliers, and marketing Developing alcoholic kombucha The evolution of the brewing community A crash course for those interested in home brewing n how to get start Getting involved in the Happy Valley community through activities dance and rock climbing

Overview: Bob Perna ’85 Bus serves as the senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at Knowles Corporation in Itasca, Illinois. Bob joined Following the Gong to share his experiences as an early University Scholar at both Penn State Shenango and University Park. Bob provided insights on success in law school as a business student and the work of in-house attorneys in a business setting. He also shared perspectives on working for a primarily business to business, or b2b, company as a major supplier for household name products. This episode will be helpful for any Scholar, and particularly those starting at a smaller Commonwealth Campus, majoring in business disciplines, and those looking into legal or business careers, particularly in supply focused or leadership roles. Bob’s full bio and a detailed breakdown of the topics discussed are available in the show notes below. Guest Bio: Robert (Bob) Perna ’85 Bus is senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at Knowles Corporation in Itasca, Illinois, where he manages the company’s global legal affairs, as well as all corporate governance and compliance functions at Knowles. He advises and counsels the Board of Directors and the leadership team on a broad range of legal, business, governance, compliance, policy and strategic matters, including key operational initiatives, risk assessment and mitigation, major transactions, litigation and corporate citizenship. Before joining Knowles, Bob served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Rockwell Collins from 2014 to 2018, where he oversaw global legal support, import/export compliance, and the office of ethics and business conduct for the $8 billion aerospace and defense company. As a member of the senior leadership team, he also provided counsel to the Board of Directors on securities law, corporate governance and other legal matters. Previously, Bob was vice president, general counsel and secretary at A.M. Castle & Co., a specialty metals and plastics distributor and value-added processor. He also held various in-house counsel positions of increasing responsibility at CNH Global, Navistar International and GE Capital Rail Services. Bob started his law practice as an associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson in Washington, D.C., providing legal advice to private and publicly held corporations and financial institutions. A Pennsylvania native, Bob earned his bachelor of science in finance with High Distinction and with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and his JD degree with High Honors from George Washington University. Episode Topics: Choosing to start the Penn State experience close to home at Penn State Shenango The value of the honors thesis for a career in law no matter the topic Deciding on a career in law as a business student Adjusting to a major metro area coming from small town PA Strategies for succeeding in law school including study habits and preprofessional opportunities Law firm work vs. in-house work How chief legal officers fit into the c-suite and business decisions and business ethics The importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace and world of business Working for a major B2B – business to business – company Living in the Chicago area General tips for career success in law, business, and any other discipline or industry ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram 

Overview: Leadership consultant Ken Graham ’67 joined Following the Gong and Schreyer Student Council for a special live session to discuss leadership development success for Scholars in their leadership roles and early careers. Ken retired from Royal Dutch Shell after a lengthy career in academia and industry focused on the study of leadership and developing leaders. This episode is a must-listen for any Scholar to set themselves up for success while on campus and as they transition to the world of work. Ken’s bio and a more detailed breakdown of the topics discussed and insights shared are available below. Guest Bio: Ken Graham ’67, ’68g, ’69g Bus is a consultant in strategy, leadership, and change to large and mid-sized employers, primarily in software, energy, manufacturing, and aviation. Ken serves Penn State students, staff, and faculty through 7-10 day visits to campus and on Zoom, meeting with the Schreyer Honors College, the Presidential Leadership Academy, Nittany Lion Consulting Group (Smeal), Global Engineering Fellows classes, and Labor and Human Resources classes. He also serves as a board member for Penn State’s Presidential Leadership Academy, a board member on the Penn State Global Advisory Board, and as a board member for The Graduate School Alumni Society. He retired as Global Head of Leader Development for Royal Dutch Shell, where he worked to enhance leader performance for both expatriate leaders and national staff in leadership positions. Ken worked on the payroll of three large corporations—Shell, Allstate, and Beatrice – and three large universities—Penn State, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He serves on corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors. He led or leads five “bottom line” businesses, most of which are/were profitable! Ken taught in what is now Smeal College of Business and led Penn State Executive Programs before moving to industry. Ken earned his bachelor of science in management with honors from the College of Business (1967, prior to the establishment of the University Scholars Program), master of science in business logistics (1968), and doctor of philosophy in business administration (1979) from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. He is married to a fellow Penn Stater and resides in Illinois, where he is a licensed pilot.  Episode Topics: Emergency briefings and safety prep as leaders Ken’s backstory as an honors student at Penn Stater before the University Scholars Program Taking an academic route as a business major The shift from management to leadership over the past century Highlighting student leadership experiences in the job search and interviews Five dimensions of finding coaches and mentors Insights on consulting Addressing ethical challenges and toxic cultures Developing horizontal influence The three key skills for leadership Steps for early career/internship success Disciplining your passions ----- Schreyer Honors College Links:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  Upcoming Events  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars  Join the Penn State Alumni Association  ----- Credits & Notes:...

Overview: Jason Olcese ’06 Lib is the band leader of My Hero Zero in State College, PA, where he performs as a musician, writes and records in the studio, and manages equipment and practice space to keep everything running smoothly. Before joining the band in 2010, Jason performed as a solo musician under the artist name "Jason O". He earned his BS in Psychology with Honors in Music from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2006. Jason joined the show – with a live studio audience in the Grandfather Clock Lounge – to share his story. Jason is a lifelong musician and learner, providing insights on crafting your skills in college, including through a gap semester and studying abroad. He also shares his perspectives on being a solo entertainer, band member, songwriter, producer, and coach through his other project, Happy Valley Song Lab. The episode includes two live performances, including one song from this thesis project. Any current Scholar or Scholar Alum can get something out of this episode, and especially if they are not sure of what path take or major to choose, are interested in a career in entertainment, writing their own music, or simply hearing about playing at THON or which is Jason’s favorite Taylor Swift era. Jason’s links and a more detailed breakdown of the topics discussed are available below. Guest Bio:  Jason Olcese ’06 Lib is the band leader of My Hero Zero in State College, Pennsylvania where he performs as a musician, writes and records in the studio, and manages equipment and practice space to keep everything running smoothly. Before joining the band in 2010, Jason performed as a solo musician under the artist name "Jason O". He earned a BS in Psychology with Honors in Music from Penn State in 2006. Please feel free to connect with them via Instagram @myherozerolive or through the bands website: www.myherozero.com. If interested in connecting in a studio setting please reach out to them via www.happyvalleysonglab.com  Episode Topics: Playing music from a young age and choosing Penn State for the large student body size but the small school feel and opportunities of the Honors College Trying out several majors – and even taking time off – before settling on the right one Choosing psychology over music to fulfil a goal of being a musician and songwriter Leveraging courses like American History and Math 140/141 to influence songwriting and music Finding unique ways to practice and hone your skills as a musician Producing a research informed album as part of the honors thesis Musical interlude #1 Starting full time work during your last year of college and breaking into the music industry Life on the road as a touring musical act Learning the business side of being a band Approaching different audiences like a downtown State College bar or THON Realities and myths of being a touring band member, including the high points and sacrifices to achieve artistic and commercial success The importance of balance and knowing your why/having a purpose Balancing a dual career between being in a band and being a solo performer Diversifying through producing and coaching at the Happy Valley Song Lab Seeking out sponsorships in an NIL world Time and self-management for non 8-5 j...