Lawrence University Career Center Podcast (@lawrencecareercenter)

In this episode, Michael Licht, a seasoned architect turned video game designer, takes us through his impressive 20-year journey in the gaming industry. With a career spanning top AAA studios like LucasArts, Electronic Arts, and Heavy Iron, as well as consulting on Disney titles and Survious, Michael has contributed to the development of 9 AAA games and several VR experiences. His expertise covers gameplay systems, AI, UX/UI design, combat mechanics, and level design.

Join Michael as he shares his personal connection to Lawrence University and offers invaluable insights regarding the technical skills and work ethic needed to succeed in the gaming world and what to look for when starting your career.

Whether you're aspiring to break into the industry or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes process, this episode is a must-listen!

For more about Michael and his work, visit

Chensu Zhu graduated from Lawrence in 2018 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. While at Lawrence, she completed internships in the field of Psychology, but shortly after leaving Lawrence, decided to try something completely different. In this episode, Chensu says your degree does not have to dictate your career, talks about the importance of getting work experience while in college and explains why it's crucial to work with the Career Center!

Rebecca Zornow ’10 earned degrees in English and Art History. She is a science fiction writer and Hal Prize winner. Her novels include Over or It’s Eden, Dangerous to Heal, and Negotiated Fate.

After graduation from Lawrence, she served in the Peace Corps where she started school libraries and an art club in rural eSwatini. She runs the book coaching business Conquer Books with her sister, the writer Nicole Van Den Eng. Together with their brother, they founded The Fox Delight, Appleton’s semi-annual fantasy ball. Rebecca is also a board member of the Caneille Regional Development Fund.

In this episode, Rebecca and Ty discuss her career as an author, the writing process and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day life of a writer. Rebecca also offers her insight on what students should be doing right now if they want to be a successful writer in the future. She also shares her advice for students interested in museum work and offers a glimpse at life in the Peace Corps.

Visit Rebecca online at

https://rebeccamzornow.com/

https://www.conquerbooks.com/

https://foxdelight.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccazornow/

https://www.caneille.org/

Regarded by many leading critics as an ideal interpreter of the Mezzo Soprano vocal style, Opera star Viktoria Vizin is one of the few dramatic mezzo-sopranos to have performed to international acclaim.

Often seen in the world’s most prestigious houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, Hungarian State Opera House, Chicago Lyric Opera or Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Ms. Vizin sits down with guest host Camara White ’25 in this episode of the Lawrence University Career Center podcast. Also, a faculty member at Depaul’s School of Music, she shares her background, from school in Hungary, to her earliest music competitions and major performances. She also offers advice to aspiring performers regarding the importance of competitions, networking strategies to secure roles, audition tips and getting a good agent.

http://www.viktoriavizin.com/

Associate Professor Sonja Lynn Downing is an ethnomusicologist and a member of the Musicology Department at Lawrence. Her research interests include Balinese gamelan music and dance, traditional music pedagogy, the intersection of gender and performance, and ethnomusicology.

In this episode of the Career Center podcast with guest host Camara White ‘25, Professor Downing tells us what ethnomusicology is and what ethnomusicologists do. She also shares her experiences studying music around the world (which included the threat of nuclear weapons!) and how she became a music professor. Finally, find out what you can do now and what classes you should take if you are interested in a career in ethnomusicology!

U.S. Air Force Airman First Class David Pickar graduated from Lawrence in 2023 as a double degree student with a Bachelor’s in Music Performance and Spanish.

Following his junior recital, David auditioned and was accepted into the United States Air Force Regional Bands, which he joined after graduation. Since joining, he has performed all over the country in front of many different audiences. He is currently stationed with the Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base in southern Illinois.

In this episode, David describes the audition process for the United States Air Force Bands and how it is both similar to and different from auditions with comparable civilian orchestras and bands. He also explains why he chose the military over civilian life to pursue music opportunities, the importance of serving your country, and shares his take on why there is more to life than music!

For more information about the U.S. Air Force Band, including audition information, visit https://www.music.af.mil/.

To learn more about David’s band, visit https://www.music.af.mil/Bands/US-Air-Force-Band-of-Mid-America/, https://www.youtube.com/@USAFBoMA,

Sarah Morris, from the Lawrence class of 2001 earned her B.M in Music Education. This talented singer-songwriter who calls Minneapolis home, spent the first years of her career in Nashville, honing her singing and songwriting skills. She released her first album, “Lonely or Free” in 2011. Five more albums would follow, including last year’s “Here’s to You.” When not writing or recording, Sarah competed and received honors and awards in several music contests and songwriting competitions. Recently, she was named the Midwest Country Music Organization’s Songwriter of the Year award for the second time. Sarah regularly performs around the Midwest and and has a show in Appleton at the Gibson Music Hall on April 17th, 2024.

Elizabeth Shimek ’12 earned her B.A. in Religious Studies and later earned a JD at the University of Wisconsin Madison Law School. After some time as a practicing attorney, she moved into the world of politics and government as the Chief of Staff for Wisconsin State Rep. Greta Neubauer. She is now the senior council for the Campaign Legal Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing democracy through law, fighting for every American’s right to participate in the democratic process.

Beth explains her role in fighting for campaign finance reform, describes what it means to be a political staffer, shares stories from her time as Chief of Staff for a state representative and explains why it is so important to remain a “practical optimist” in today’s state of political discourse.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethshimek/

Bella Sgriccia from the Lawrence class of 2022 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and completed internships with the US Embassy in Cairo Egypt and the International Rescue Committee.  She also worked in admissions and the

https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-sgriccia-89b36a20b/

Tod Gimbel '81 earned degrees in Government and History from Lawrence and a JD from Marquette Law School.  He has had a diverse career with a variety of roles in the areas of public affairs, advocacy, consulting and sustainability and has worked for a number of well-known companies including Herbalife Nutrition, Citi, Levi Strauss & Co. Kraft Foods (now Modelez), Altria, and Miller Brewing (now Miller-Coors). He also ran a boutique Public Affairs Consultancy in Asia representing large corporate clients, NGOs and Trade Associations.

In this podcast, Tod discusses the growing field of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance), the importance of being open to trying new things over the course of one's career and how a Lawrence education prepares you for almost anything.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tod-gimbel-0250572/

https://www.theagelesswonders.com/