CareerPod

Gary sits down with Eric Minkwitz and talks about how sports training and performance has changed throughout the years. Additional resources for those interested in the sports performance training field include the following:  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as my book, "The Forever an Athlete Program".

Gary sits down with Dawna Donaghey, a counselor for family therapy, and an educator for mental health. Tune in, as she dives into the world of counseling and how she got started.

Gary sits down with Dennis Daniel, a security guard for Gilette Stadium, in Foxborough MA

Gary sits down with Marie Fratonie, founder and CEO of Get Clients Everywhere. This company help entrepreneurs start and build their businesses.

Gary talks with Mr. John Coffee, an elementary school Music Teacher. John shares memories of his early interest in music, his time at Berklee College of Music and the several school districts he has taught in. He offers a full description of the role and responsibilities of a public-school Music Teacher, the rewards and challenges; the strategy of bringing kids along, musically, from a young age through the high school level. Finally, he comments on the characteristics that make for success in his line of work, and not surprisingly they are the same fundamentals that apply to most any career, including this one of fostering creative potential in kids.

Lou talks with Mike Danubio, VP of Human Resources for the Boston Red Sox, about his career in HR. Mike explains that he was trained as an accounting professional, but after several years at one of the top firms, he was drawn to an opportunity to lead a nationwide HR initiative in campus recruiting for the firm. Mike offers an insightful view of the various HR disciplines, the value of a ‘generalist foundation’ in the profession and the personal and career rewards of finding your niche in one of the disciplines and leading that function. Although Mike moved to increasingly responsible HR positions in companies of various industries, much of the conversation centers on the unique aspects of his current role as an HR Executive in a Pro Sports organization ... in this case, The Boston Red Sox baseball team.

Gary talks with Ms. Gail Samaha about her consulting business, GMS Associates, that is focused on advising families on strategies and resources for caring for aging or infirm family members. Gail shares how her interest in this field evolved from her own family experience; and how she leveraged her initial career as a business coach into this rewarding type of work. It is also an insider’s look into the challenges of arranging care for one or more family members, especially when they are remote. Gail works from her own, proprietary model, to help families honor their elders’ wishes by having in place legal, financial, medical and home-care plans, documents, people and resources; so that they can live out the latter part of their lives as safely and comfortable as possible.

Gary talks with Ms Beverly Furtado; a senior Financial Aid Counselor in Higher Education. Beverly talks about her role in counseling students about financial options for, and implications of, paying for a college education. She gives an insight into the tasks and responsibilities of administering financial aid on behalf of a school, charitable foundations and the Federal Government. She also discusses the subtilties of dealing with family financial disclosures and advising students on not taking more financial loan assistance than they need because of what that means for post-graduation debt repayment. This is a comprehensive look at the world of financing a college education.

Lou talks with Mr. Junior Delgado, the Director of the Career Services Center at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. Mr. Delgado explains what is entailed in the role of leading a Career Services team at a small-mid sized college/university, and how that might differ at smaller/larger institutions. He also shares his experiences as both a leader of an organization assisting graduating students as they choose career paths as well as recruiting incoming students (via athletic scholarships) as they begin their college experience. Mr. Delgado shares the rewarding aspects of the job, but also acknowledges the frustrating dynamics of competing priorities and fiscal realities that are inherent in the academic world, just as they are in the larger business world. Finally, Junior comments on the ‘calling’ and values that are essential if one is considering a role in ‘Career Services’ because it requires more of a commitment (to students’ success) than a typical 9 – 5 job. A great inside look into an aspect of a college education that is often lost in school rankings articles or the popular press.

Gary talks with Levi Downing who has made a career as a car salesman. Levi shares how he had several sales/retail jobs prior to an opportunity at a car dealership. He immediately knew it was the right industry for him. He walks us through the various stages of winning a sale - ‘pre-sales’ prep, engaging the customer ‘making the sale’ and the ‘post sale’ paperwork in the business office and follow up later with the customer (which often generates future referrals and leads). He also shares his thoughts on what it takes to be successful in such a competitive industry; and one in which the customer is so much better informed and prepared before they even walk in the showroom. Finally, he reflects on his experience being promoted to a management role...many years ago...and why it was a short-lived chapter. A heartfelt, candid reflection of 35 years in a profession that is, too often, only seen in stereotype.