From Nursing to Clean Energy: My Gap Year Story

Lyla Hollis quit nursing school, moved to Costa Rica for a gap year in permaculture, and landed her dream clean energy job before graduating. If you're questioning your major or career path, this episode reveals how gap years, AmeriCorps service, and real-world experience can fast-track your career in sustainability and environmental justice.

What You'll Learn:

• Why it's okay to pivot majors (even after 2 years invested)
• How gap years build career clarity and competitive advantage
• What AmeriCorps is and how it opens doors to environmental careers
• How to balance online college with full-time work
• Why employers value experience over perfect grades
• Real pathways into clean energy and climate activism jobs

Featured Guest: Lyla Hollis, Clean Energy Specialist at Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

Topics Covered: Gap year, career change, nursing school dropout, sustainability careers, clean energy jobs, AmeriCorps, online college, environmental justice, permaculture, Costa Rica, climate activism, Gen Z career advice, career pivot, meaningful work

Perfect for: High school students, college students questioning their major, anyone considering a gap year, aspiring environmental professionals, Gen Z job seekers interested in climate careers and social impact work.

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#GapYear #CareerAdvice #SustainabilityCareers #CleanEnergy #GenZ #CollegeAdvice #AmeriCorps #EnvironmentalJustice #CareerChange #ClimateJobs #OnlineCollege #MeaningfulWork #collegetocareer

From High School to Pro Baseball — The Journey No One Talks About

At just 18 years old, Trey Gregory-Alford was drafted straight into professional baseball — skipping college and jumping into the high-stakes world of the MLB minor leagues. But what came next? It wasn’t on ESPN.

In this episode of the Get Career Curious Podcast, host Nolan Hollis dives deep with Trey to uncover the truth behind the dream:
- What it really takes to go pro out of high school
- The sacrifices most athletes don’t talk about

- Daily life in the minor leagues

- Mental toughness, pressure, and the role of faith

- How to stay grounded, grow as an athlete, and still be a kid

🎯 Whether you’re a student-athlete, a sports parent, or someone chasing high-performance goals, Trey’s story delivers raw insight, powerful takeaways, and the inspiration to keep going.

#GetCareerCurious #CareerExploration #StudentAthleteLife #ProBaseballJourney #CareerPodcast

What happens when you walk away from the “safe” path to chase what you love?
Meet Carrie Taylor, VP of Operations for Spokane’s pro soccer teams — and a former pre-med student who swapped a stethoscope for a soccer ball. 🎓⚽

In this episode, Carrie shares how she went from studying biology at the University of Michigan to becoming a trailblazer for women in sports leadership. She opens up about the courage it took to tell her parents she was leaving medicine, the hard realities behind the glamor of pro sports, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, grit, and purpose.

If you’re a college or high-school student questioning your major, rethinking your career goals, or just wondering if passion really pays off — this episode will change how you think about “success.”

🎙️ You’ll Learn:▪️ How to pivot your career when your plan no longer fits▪️ The truth about working in professional sports▪️ What it takes to lead (and last) in a male-dominated field▪️ Why the best careers start with curiosity, not certainty

✨ “Life is too short to be unhappy in what you do.” — Carrie Taylor

An engineer-turned-entrepreneur shares how he built a life of freedom, purpose, and surf. 🌊

In this episode of Get Career Curious, host Nolan Hollis chats with Rich Naha, a University of Michigan grad who swapped the corporate ladder for a life of freedom, purpose, and surf. 🌊

Rich shares how his engineering mindset helped him master real estate investing, calculate risk vs reward, and turn passion into profit. Whether you dream of starting your own business, investing in real estate, or designing a career you love, this conversation will light a spark.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to trade traditional for intentional.

👉 Follow the show and visit getcareercurious.com for more inspiring career stories and exceptional career advice.

Is engineering worth it? Mechanical engineer Patrick Fanning reveals what it’s really like after college — from mechanical engineering career paths and internships to breaking into consulting and the energy industry.

Perfect for high school and college students exploring STEM, engineering, or career planning, this episode offers real talk about career fairs, interviews, and finding purpose in your work.

Featuring: Patrick Fanning (ExxonMobil, PwC)
Topics: Mechanical engineering • STEM careers • Career transitions • Networking • Consulting • Job interviews

🚀 Subscribe and take the Career Compass quiz to explore your ideal career fit!

🏐 Olympic gold medalist Haleigh Washington shares her journey, the rise of LOVB Volleyball, and real talk every student-athlete needs to hear.

What does it really take to go from high school club ball to Olympic gold?
In this episode of Get Career Curious, pro athlete and two-time Olympian Haleigh Washington shares the real story behind her journey—how she fell in love with volleyball, battled injuries and self-doubt, and became a founding athlete with LOVB (League One Volleyball).

Haleigh gets real about the grind of professional volleyball, the mental health challenges athletes face, and what it means to build a new future for women’s sports in the U.S. If you’re a high school or college player dreaming big, this conversation will give you the mindset, lessons, and inspiration to push through the tough days and keep going.

🔥 You’ll learn:
▪️ Why LOVB Volleyball is changing the game for U.S. athletes
▪️ How to handle adversity, injuries, and “the funk” as a student-athlete
▪️ The truth about pro volleyball life (spoiler: it’s not always glamorous)
▪️ Haleigh’s best advice for players chasing college scholarships and pro careers

🎙️ Whether you’re grinding it out in club season, aiming for a college roster spot, or dreaming of the Olympics, Haleigh’s story proves that resilience and love for the game can take you farther than you think.

#VolleyballLife #Volleyball #WomensSports #CollegeVolleyball #HighSchoolVolleyball #LOVB #Olympics #AthleteMindset #VolleyballMotivation #GetCareerCuriousPodcast

Ready to fast-track your college experience and save serious money?

In this episode of Get Career Curious, host Marita sits down with Grant Thornham—a rising junior at the University of Tennessee—who breaks down his step-by-step plan to graduate in just three years and cut tuition costs by thousands.

Grant gets candid about the smart moves that set him ahead: using summer classes, maximizing scholarship opportunities, and taking calculated risks when choosing a college.

Whether you’re in high school or already in college, you’ll get actionable strategies on how to build a network, find internships, and make every credit count.

Thinking about the IB program? Grant shares his honest experience—why the diploma might not be worth the stress for everyone and how to make the right choice for your goals.

Listen in for:

• A real-life roadmap for early college graduation

• Tips to maximize scholarships and get the most value for your money

• The pros and cons of the IB diploma for high school students

• How making friends in college is one of the best ways to build your lifelong network

• Grant’s advice on saying “yes” to new opportunities and how it pays off

  
  

If you’re a student who wants to craft a purposeful, joyful career and avoid college debt, hit play now.

✨ Subscribe to this channel so you never miss an episode packed with practical advice and insider stories from real students and young professionals.

💬 Want more tailored career advice? Join our Get Career Curious community!

#CollegeHacks #ScholarshipTips #IBDiploma #StudentAdvice #GenZCareers #CareerPodcast #GetCareerCurious

What does it really take to turn your passion for content into a dream career?

In this episode, go behind the scenes with digital marketing pro and Colorado Springs influencer Meagan Thomas.

She shares hard-won lessons for Gen Z and career changers—covering the realities of building a personal brand, getting paid as an influencer, nailing your first digital marketing job, and using your authentic voice online.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to break into social media and influencer marketing in 2025

• Why business skills and analytics matter more than follower counts

• Real talk on rates, brand deals, and earning what you’re worth

• Strategies for building trust, community, and lasting impact—not just clout

• The role of AI, flexibility, and honest hustle in today’s digital landscape

Listen for actionable career tips, inspiring entrepreneurial stories, and advice you won’t find in textbooks.

Whether you’re a student, a side-hustler, or simply “career curious,” get practical insight on landing opportunities and creating a life—and job—you love.

→ Hit follow for weekly episodes packed with social media hacks, digital marketing strategy, and real stories from people doing what they love.

→ Join the Get Career Curious community to learn more actionable career insights!

#SocialMediaCareers #InfluencerTips #DigitalMarketing #GenZJobs #GetCareerCurious

Curious how to launch a purpose-driven career in sports broadcasting and TV journalism?

Go behind the scenes with an industry pro to learn what it really takes to work in sports media, thrive in TV, and break into journalism.

We’ll cover practical tips on landing internships, building real-world skills, and navigating the changing world of sports broadcasting—plus the keys to finding joy and meaning in your media career.

Not Your Average Career Advice: What a Priest Can Teach Gen Z About Purpose, Fear, and Living Fully

Are you asking, “What am I supposed to do with my life?” or tired of the same old career advice?

In this episode of Get Career Curious, host Marita McCahill chats with Father Tim Monahan—vocation director, world traveler, former business major, and a very relatable person.

Father Tim serves up honest, practical advice for finding your path, beating fear, and living a life that actually excites you.

• Discover the three-step decision framework: Capacity, Freedom, Desire

• Find out how silence, prayer, and old-school journaling can help you tune out the noise and make clear choices—even if you usually avoid “quiet time”

• Real talk about why “failing” or changing your mind is actually a superpower, not a setback

• The inside story of purpose, serving others, and what priests really do

• Secrets about courage, overcoming fear, and why you should try new things (even if you’re scared or unsure)

Whether you’re choosing a college major, sweating your first job, or just feeling lost, this episode breaks down the big questions with relatable stories, humor, and actionable tips.

• Tap FOLLOW so you never miss raw, honest career convos built for Gen Z

• Share this episode with a friend who’s stuck or searching for meaning

• Rate us or send a DM with your biggest takeaway or career "a-ha" moment!

  
  

#GetCareerCurious #GenZCareers #FindYourPurpose #CareerAdvice #PodcastForGenZ #CollegeToCareer

Ready to take the next step toward a career and life that actually fire you up? Hit play, join the community, and let's get curious together!