AccessCo Leaders Career Conversations

Jonathan Harrar, a major in the US Army JAG Corps, shares his journey from law school to serving as a defense attorney for soldiers. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy in your work and being sincere in your approach. Students express their interest in law and seek advice on pursuing a legal career. The conversation with Jonathan Harrar, a US Army JAG officer, provided valuable insights into the life and work of a complex litigator. Jonathan shared his experiences, challenges, and advice for aspiring attorneys, emphasizing the importance of skills, relationships, and time management. He also highlighted the similarities between professionals from different backgrounds, encouraging students to pursue their goals with confidence.

Takeaways

• Diverse Legal Experience: Jonathan's career journey includes roles as a district attorney, national security attorney, prosecutor, and defense attorney, showcasing the breadth of legal experience available in the military.
• Passion and Sincerity: Jonathan emphasizes the importance of finding joy in your work and being sincere in your approach, highlighting the value of doing work that you would do for free.
• Exploration and Flexibility: Students are encouraged to dabble, take risks, and explore different areas of law before making a decision, emphasizing the value of reading, writing, and being open to swerving in their career paths. Skills and relationships are crucial for success
• Professionals from different backgrounds are more similar than they seem

Chapters

• 00:00 Jonathan's Diverse Legal Experience
• 06:14 Exploring Different Areas of Law
• 15:53 Persuasion and Authenticity in the Courtroom
• 25:07 Advice for Aspiring Attorneys
• 31:26 A Day in the Life of a Complex Litigator
• 42:59 Military Justice System vs. Civilian Courts

The conversation with John O'Brien from Scrub Daddy covers his career growth and learning journey, as well as insights into balancing work and personal life. John shares his experiences, lessons learned, and the impact of his personal and professional choices on his career. The discussion provides valuable insights for students and professionals alike. The conversation with John covers a range of topics including his passion for hockey, starting a business, dealing with change, time management, exploring different career paths, and supporting animals. John's insights provide valuable advice for students as they navigate their own career journeys.

Takeaways

• Career growth through learning
• Balancing work and personal life Passion for Hockey
• Starting a Business
• Dealing with Change
• Time Management
• Exploring Different Career Paths
• Supporting Animals

The conversation covers diverse engineering fields, career path and education, innovation and modernization, and entrepreneurship and business management. Shaneka Odom shares her journey, experiences, and insights, providing valuable advice and encouragement to the students. The conversation with Shaneka Odom, Deputy Division Administrator with the Federal Highway Administration, highlighted the importance of innovation at the federal level and the modernization of infrastructure. It also provided insights into preparing for college and transitioning to college life.

Takeaways

• Diverse Engineering Fields
• Career Path and Education
• Innovation and Modernization
• Entrepreneurship and Business Management Importance of Innovation
• Preparing for College

The conversation with Yvonne Martinez covers her role as a senior manufacturing engineer at DSM Ferminich, her journey from Mexico to Pennsylvania, her experience in middle school and high school, and her side business as an entrepreneur. The Q&A session with students explores topics related to engineering, career choices, and work-life balance. The conversation covers diverse career paths and the importance of problem-solving and innovation. It explores career interests, challenges in engineering, interest in engineering, overcoming self-doubt, mentorship and inspiration, medical field aspirations, and interest in business and marketing.

Takeaways

• Engineering as Problem Solving
• Balancing Passion and Career Diverse Career Paths
• Problem-Solving and Innovation

Dr. Calvin Parker, a gastroenterology vice president at Wood Home Gastroenterology Associates, shares insights on his role, military experience, and the impact of his school involvement on his career. He discusses the challenges of explaining complex medical issues to patients, the increase in digestive health issues among younger patients, and the integration of AI and telemedicine in gastroenterology. Dr. Parker also addresses common misconceptions about digestive health and advises against the long-term use of energy drinks by youth. The conversation covers a range of topics including the impact of energy drinks, approach to digestive health, interventional biliary endoscopy, career plans and aspirations, importance of research in clinical practice, pursuing architecture and business, reflections on growth and leadership, and final words of wisdom from Dr. Parker.

Takeaways

• Reinventing yourself and resilience are essential for career longevity.
• Integration of AI and telemedicine is transforming the field of gastroenterology. Importance of balanced approach to energy drinks
• Understanding the impact of diet on digestive health

Jane Sobieski, a senior lead of commercial banking relationship manager at Wells Fargo, shares insights on financial independence, career journey, community involvement, and personal branding. She emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and financial literacy, highlighting the impact of economic swings and the value of real estate as a side hustle. Jane's passion for community service and public speaking reflects her commitment to personal and professional development. The conversation covers topics related to wealth, modesty, skills for banking, consistency, drive, community service, politics, early banking experience, fraud protection measures, financial management, investing, and the transition to psychology and business. Key takeaways include the importance of financial independence and the value of empathy and vision in banking.

Takeaways

• Financial Independence
• Building a Personal Brand Financial Independence
• Empathy and Vision

The conversation with Javier Flores, President of DAS Everywhere, covers his background, education, achievements, interests, and the journey of starting and growing his company. It also delves into ethical considerations, challenges, and the impact of AI on the telecommunications industry. Javier's discipline, dedication, and leveraging of success for growth are key takeaways from the conversation. The conversation covers themes of personal growth, career exploration, networking, and the importance of hard work and authenticity. It delves into the experiences of high school students and their aspirations for the future, providing valuable insights and advice for their journey ahead.

Takeaways

• Discipline and dedication
• Leveraging success for growth Overcoming shyness
• Exploring career paths
• Networking and relationship-building
• Importance of hard work and authenticity

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and DAS Everywhere
• 06:21 Positioning the Company and Contracts
• 11:46 Transition from Puerto Rico to the United States
• 18:25 Facing Challenges and Resilience
• 23:41 Strategies for Company Growth and Marketing
• 29:24 Standing Out and Overcoming Barriers
• 36:00 Pursuing a Career in Medicine and Pediatrics
• 41:23 Transitioning to College and Career Planning
• 47:28 Interest in Aerospace Engineering and Space Exploration

The conversation with Nakayla Maloy, an ICU nurse at Mercy Hospital, covered various themes, including her career journey, shift scheduling, coping strategies, and the impact of AI in nursing. Nakayla shared insights into her experiences in high school, the lessons learned from playing soccer, and how they apply to her role as a nurse. Additionally, she provided advice for aspiring nurses, discussed patient advocacy, and shared her coping strategies for handling high-pressure situations in the ICU. The conversation with Nurse Nakayla Maloy covered a wide range of topics related to nursing, career paths, and personal development. Nakayla shared valuable insights and advice for aspiring nurses, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, people skills, empathy, and grit. She also provided guidance on choosing a nursing program, dealing with difficult coworkers, and the significance of believing in oneself. The conversation highlighted the diverse skills and experiences required in the nursing profession, offering valuable lessons for students and educators alike.

Takeaways

• Resilience
• Self-discipline
• Teamwork
• Emotional resilience
• Advocacy for patients Critical thinking
• People skills
• Empathy
• Grit
• Milestones

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and ICU Nursing
• 05:02 Challenges and Coping Strategies in Nursing
• 13:08 Time Management and Patient Advocacy
• 19:09 Career Development and Skills
• 28:19 The Skills of a Nurse
• 36:17 Preparing for Nursing School
• 41:25 Advice for Summer Jobs
• 47:05 Believing in Yourself
• 53:46 The Importance of Grit

DeShawn Haynes, Vice President of International Strategy at Raymond James, shares insights into wealth management and his journey from Pittsburgh to Florida. The conversation covers DeShawn's background, day-to-day activities, skills for success, joining a firm like Raymond James, motivation, finance projects, working with clients, career advice, and internship opportunities. The conversation covered a range of career interests and transitions, including finance, psychiatry, computer science, design, health sciences, ultrasound tech, and architecture. It also delved into the importance of business skills across different fields, the significance of exploring diverse career paths, and the value of building long-term client relationships. The discussion provided encouragement and wisdom for high school seniors as they navigate their career decisions and explored the creative and analytical aspects of finance and architecture.

Takeaways

• Wealth management at Raymond James
• DeShawn's journey from Pittsburgh to Florida Exploring diverse career paths
• Building long-term client relationships

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Raymond James
• 07:04 DeShawn's Day-to-Day and Skills for Success
• 13:21 Finance Projects and Working with Clients
• 19:47 Career Advice and Internship Opportunities
• 27:48 Transition to Computer Science and Design
• 34:15 Client Service and Relationship Building
• 40:22 Reflections and Encouragement from the Conversation

Andrea Hess discusses her journey as an attorney, entrepreneur, and innovator in the caregiving industry. She shares insights on balancing multiple roles, the evolution of legal services, the impact of athletics on leadership, and the inspiration behind her caregiving business. Andrea also provides encouragement for female career aspirants and reflects on past decisions and regrets. The conversation with Andrea Hess covered a wide range of topics, including the impact of product creation, the role of finance in business, overcoming challenges, educational and career decisions, personal growth, navigating cultural differences, interest in data and analytics, perseverance and passion, encouragement for future endeavors, storytelling, and connection. Andrea's journey and insights provided valuable takeaways on passion and perseverance, navigating cultural differences, and combining left and right brain skills.

Takeaways

• Caregiving Innovation
• Balancing Multiple Roles Passion and perseverance
• Navigating cultural differences
• Combining left and right brain skills

Chapters

• 00:00 Oceeto and Caregiving Innovation
• 05:37 Athletics and Leadership Development
• 16:25 Leadership in Sports and Business Success
• 22:19 Encouragement for Female Career Aspirants
• 52:57 Final Words of Encouragement