Talking with MBA alumni Marina Barbu (‘21) about how she successfully navigated a (rather significant) career pivot from hospitality management into pharmaceuticals and innovation. Marina skillfully navigated the (large) gap between these seemingly disparity industries because she know what was important to her: impact, adventure, and curiosity. And utilized an unwavering dedication to building strong relationships that continues to support her success today. Facing a pivot? No matter how big it is, Marina’s advice is a sure-fire recipe that anyone can use to find success.

Talking with 2nd year MBA student Michelle Ritchie about her ‘Yes Era’ where she’s saying yes to far more networking and relationship building than she ever thought she’d be comfortable with. As an experienced Registered Nurse, networking was a foreign (and uncomfortable) concept 1.5 years ago, but the shift in mindset, skillset, and impact to her career that relationship building is bringing is clear. So if you currently don’t think you could ever lean into networking, give this episode a listen. Michelle is proof that anything is possible!

We step FAR outside our usual ‘box’ and spend this entire episode talking with AI. Yup, that’s right - our friend ChatGPT. Considering we wanted to talk about all the ways you can use AI in career management, we thought who better to chat with than the chatbot itself? And what it came up with even surprised the two of us. Not only that, our key takeaways come from Google Illuminate - which if you haven’t heard of (we hadn’t until this week), go Google it now. Enjoy this unique episode!

Talking with a special guest, our boss, Amber Nicolson! As the Manager, Career & Work Integrated Learning at the Alberta School of Business, Amber has spend a lot of her career interviewing for many different roles and supporting students as they prepare. And unique to her, she’s the only person who has interviewed both of us in our careers. The entire episode is one big tip & trick, for anyone prepping for an interview!

Talking with 1st year MBA student Ketsia Lombosso Engoya about the thing she has done for a longtime now, but didn’t fully realize - storytelling.

Talking with 2nd year MBA student Joe Harb about a topic he’s very familiar with, but has worked to expand and improve through his MBA - Networking. It’s SO much more than surviving large events. We do it every day, whether we realize it or not. And leaning into the ‘dance’ of building relationships, owning your weirdness, and leveling up your storytelling are key tools in your all-important networking toolkit. We are built for connection, which is all networking is, connecting with others. So get out there, connect in a way that is authentic to you, and use this episode to help boost your toolkit along the way.

Talking with 1st year MBA student Arthur Benitez all about a topic he’s well-versed in: LinkedIn. As a user since 2014, Arthur brings a lot of experience and expertise in using the professional platform - but as a true learner, he also notes there’s room for him to grow and iterate. We chat about the power of storytelling, realities of attention pans, the pros and cons of using AI, and more. 1.1B people use LinkedIn - if you want to know how to stand out, this episode is for you.

Talking with our first-ever repeat guest, Chandler Holyoak, Employer and Community Partner Outreach Specialist at the Alberta School of Business. As someone with both previous HR experience, and current daily interactions with employers, he is full of valuable tips and tricks for resumes and cover letters that will get noticed. You get less than 10 seconds to make an impression, do you know how to get your resume and cover letter into the ‘yes’ pile?

Talking with 1st year MBA student Mila Zhang about how she tackles new. Recently she’s experienced a new country, new MBA program, new people, new part-time job, new courses, new semesters….new year even. So much new! But you’ll find that Mila is quite an ‘old soul’ in her approach to the discomfort that new brings. Her wisdom extends far beyond her years, and there’s something for everyone to learn from this episode, no matter what ‘new’ you’re currently tackling!

Talking with MBA Alumni (‘17) Ashton Rudanec about her MBA journey and career where she has made big impacts within her own cohort, as the President of the University of Alberta Alumni Association, in her role as Director, Sustainable Investing, busy mom of 2, and new this year - as one of Edify’s Top 40 Under 40 in Edmonton. These impacts and ripples didn’t happen by chance. They are a result of understanding her strengths, the common threads through past experiences, the power of relationships (especially with alumni), and so a continuous focus on her high school's motto: Ut Qui Ministrat (As One Who Serves).