Career Cafe

By Southern Utah University

Are you looking for a job or writing a resume? Do you know what employers are looking for in college graduates? If you’re determined to align yourself with the best career for you after graduation, jo... more

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FAQs about Career Cafe:

How many episodes does Career Cafe have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.

Career Cafe episodes:

August 29, 2025Career Myths and Horror Stories
Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of the Career Cafe podcast! Join hosts Bobby Hodge, Trekker Burt from Alumni Relations, and Karl Rostron from Career Services as they dive into the myths that can derail your career expectations and share some truly unforgettable workplace horror stories. This episode challenges conventional wisdom and provides practical advice for building a fulfilling career on your own terms.
In this episode, we discuss:
Meet the Hosts: Get to know your Season 2 hosts, their roles at the university, and the winding career paths that led them here.
Career Advice They Wish They'd Had: The hosts share the one piece of advice they wish they had received early in their careers, including the importance of experimenting, building self-confidence, and defining your own personal values.
Myth 1: Your Major Determines Your Career. The hosts explain how the skills learned in college—like how to learn, communicate, and work under pressure—are often more valuable than the specific subject of your degree.
Myth 2: Past Jobs Don't Count. Learn why employers value the experience gained from jobs in fast food or retail and how any job, when done well, can demonstrate your work ethic and ability to excel.
Myth 3: Success Equals Money + a Big Title. The hosts explore different definitions of success and the importance of aligning your career with your personal values, whether that means climbing the corporate ladder or having more time for family and hobbies.
Myth 4: Employers Don't Care About Degrees Anymore. A degree can demonstrate character, the ability to finish what you start, and essential soft skills that are highly valued by hiring managers.
Workplace Horror Stories: The hosts react to cringe-worthy stories about disastrous interview processes and the unexpected consequences of your digital footprint.
Your Digital Footprint: An important lesson on why you should Google yourself before an interview and be mindful of the personal brand you're building online.
Connect with Us: Do you have questions or topics you'd like us to discuss in a future episode?
DM us on Instagram: @SUUCareerCenter
Follow SUU Alumni: @SUUAlumni on Facebook and Instagram
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SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
43min
May 17, 2024 Decisions and Destinations: Navigating How to Accept & Decline Opportunities with Poise
Hypothetically, what if your luck is through the roof, and you’ve been offered multiple positions but have to decline some? Or what if you just got rejected, and you don’t know how to respond to the employer professionally? Brandon, Jerry, Clara, and McKinley tackle these issues in the final episode of Career Cafe. Thank you for stopping by—stay until the end for a Career Center dad joke, and make sure to share the podcast with your friends on your way out. ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
19min
May 10, 2024 The Worth of Your Work: Negotiating Salary & Benefits
What happens when you’re offered the job you’ve been waiting for, but the pay or benefits aren’t as great as you hoped? You can either reluctantly accept the job as-is, decline, and start the job search all over again, or you can listen to this episode of Career Cafe, where Brandon, McKinley, and returning special guest Madalyn Swanson will teach you how to negotiate fair compensation in a professional manner. We don’t recommend these tips to negotiate the price of a sandwich at your favorite cafe…. but we do recommend staying until the end for a Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
18min
May 03, 2024 The Art of Follow-Up: Nurturing Connections After Job Applications & Interviews
The interview is finally over, and now you have nothing to do until you hear back about a job offer… or do you? In this episode of Career Cafe, Jerry, Clara, and McKinley discuss the importance of follow-up and how to keep your name in an employer’s head after the interview without annoying them. It's time to get a yummy bowl of soup and prepare for a Career Center dad joke at the end! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
19min
April 26, 2024 Navigating the Interview Arena: Dos and Don'ts, Online Etiquette, and Mastering the 'About Me' Question
You’ve made it through the application process, and you’ve been offered an interview! Congratulations on making it this far! It’s normal to be nervous, and that’s why Brandon, Jerry, Mackenzie, and McKinley are here to discuss all things interviews—etiquette, preparation, and even the dreaded “About Me” question. Sip on some warm tea to calm your nerves, and tune in until the end for a Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
26min
April 19, 2024 The Power of First Impressions: Dressing for Success and Reimagining Handshakes in a Post-COVID World
Unfortunately, we live in a society where it is not appropriate to wear your comfy pajamas to a job interview (even if they have cute puppies on them). So what is a college student with a closet full of sweatpants supposed to do? In this episode, Jerry, Clara, and McKinley will discuss etiquette when you meet an employer in person and dress to impress. Stay until the end for a famous Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
26min
April 12, 2024 Aligning Yourself with the Ideal Job
With so many careers and positions out there, how do you find an employer that values the same things you do, fits your aspirations, and also needs your skills on their team? Brandon, McKinley, and special guest Madalyn Swanson will go over how to find potential employers you’ll feel great working for and the importance of researching employers before you apply to them—kind of like scouring Google Reviews before deciding what cafe to eat lunch at. Listen until the end for a Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
20min
April 05, 2024 Mastering the Art of Professionalism: Navigating Emails, Phone Calls, and Voicemails
Phone calls and emails: mastering these simple forms of communication is imperative to your success in a career, but they still manage to put everyone in a cold sweat. How do you navigate these communication methods effectively in the job search and application process? Brandon, Jerry, Mackenzie, and McKinley teach you how in this episode of Career Cafe. By the end, you’ll be a whiz at emails and phone calls, and you’ll even hear a great Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
23min
March 29, 2024 Discovering Your Digital Impact: How Your Social Media Presence Can Jeopardize Job Opportunities
Social media is a powerful tool for job searching and networking, but if you aren’t careful, the way you use it can put your future career at risk. In this episode, Brandon, Jerry, and McKinley spill the tea about managing your digital footprint and show you common pitfalls to avoid when creating an online presence that is both professional and authentic to who you are. Pull up a seat and listen to the end of a Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
14min
March 22, 2024 Refining Your References to Craft a Perfect Reference Document
Did you know that employers will call people you’ve worked with previously so they can tell if you’re the real deal before they decide to hire you? This is called a reference check, and you get to tell the employer who to contact! In this episode, Brandon, Clara, and McKinley dive into everything references—their importance, how to select them, and how to create your reference document. Gather a group of friends, and listen until the end for a Career Center dad joke! ---
SUU Career Center website
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Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
...more
16min

FAQs about Career Cafe:

How many episodes does Career Cafe have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.