Iris Gardner, Strategy & Operations Manager of Workforce Engagement at 2U, discusses her career transitions over the years, her extended trip abroad to explore cooking around the world, and her passion for education. Iris double majored in Politics and Sociology at Pomona and really enjoyed her time on the Women’s lacrosse team. Tune in to hear about how Iris made a tough career decision, what motivated her to pursue her MBA, and where she hopes to go in the future.

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

James Solomon, Ward E City Council Member of Jersey City, NJ, shares about his Pomona experience and career post-graduation. James majored in Public Policy Analysis. Post-graduation James completed a Teach for America in St. Louis and discovered a fascination for buildings and the way they got to where they are. This motivated James to pursue his Masters in Public Policy with a focus on urban government and policy. Tune in to hear about some professors James loved, his interest in politics, and his journey to becoming a council member.

You can connect with James through email at [email protected]

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Kayla Spencer, Senior Career Experience Analyst at 2U, discusses her interest in living abroad, her passion for sports, and being open to the next steps. Kayla double-majored in International Relations and French at Pomona, participated on the Women’s Lacrosse team, and studied abroad her Junior year. In this episode Kayla talks about her experience as a Fulbright Scholar, obtaining her MBA, and working at Pomona for a few years post-graduation.

You can connect with  Kayla through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-spencer/

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Kacey Hopson, Indigenous & Governmental Affairs Strategist at First Alaskans Institute, chats about her time at Pomona, the experience of a First-generation low-income student, and pursuing her interests through Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Politics. Kacey touches on her time at The Greenlining Institute post-graduation and a trip to Pakistan. Returning to Alaska, Kacey explains how reaching out to friends led her to find the First Alaskans Institute and her position today.

You can connect with  Kacey through SagePost47 at https://www.sagepost47.com/browse-mentors

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Cathy Corison ‘75, Winemaker and Partner at Corison Winery in St. Helena, CA, discusses her winemaking journey. During her time at Pomona, Cathy created her own major to avoid Organic Chemistry, competed as a springboard diver, and discovered her passion for winemaking. Sophomore year Cathy took a Wine Appreciation class and she’s never looked back since. Post graduation, Cathy pursued a Master’s in Enology at U.C. Davis and then proceeded to make wine for 7 years before starting her own Winery called Corison Winery. Tune in to hear about what a winemaker does, what wine Cathy orders at restaurants, and what Cathy would have pursued if not for winemaking.

You can connect with Cathy through email at [email protected]

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Cindy Hudgins ‘95, Managing Partner at Ellevate Executive Search LLC, shares her story on transferring to Pomona, finding the right career path, and what a day in the life of a headhunter looks like. During this episode Cindy discusses how she entered the world of recruiting, worked as a recruiter, opened a baby furniture store, and then started her own headhunter company. Tune in to hear about Cindy’s experience learning more about herself, recruiting, and how to find your interests.

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Jay Weiss ‘20, Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan, shares his story through Pomona and beyond. As a 5C squash player, 5C Laundry member, and Sagehen Capital Management analyst, Jay was involved in a variety of activities during his four years. In addition, Jay managed an investment fund he started in high school. During this episode Jay breaks down the investment banking recruiting process and how you can still enter investment banking if you’ve missed the summer internship recruiting. Additionally, we hear Jay’s take on some common assumptions about investment banking and his experience at two different banks.

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Afshin Khan ‘11, current Second -Year Resident at Cleveland Clinic, chats about her experience at Pomona studying the sciences, majoring in Biology, and pursuing her other interests, one being documentary filmmaking. Diving into our conversation, Afshin expands upon her path to medical school, talking through her experience as a Watson Fellow, going on to obtain her Master’s in Public Health, conducting research, and then making the decision to attend medical school. Tune in to hear about the vast array of experiences and wisdom Afshin brings to the table and her great pieces of advice about exploration and mentorship.

You can connect with Afshin through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/afshin-k-31983818/ or through SagePost47 at https://www.sagepost47.com/afshin1

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Craig Wrench ‘83 talks about his journey from Pomona to real estate investing where he started his own fund called Washington Real Estate Holdings and is currently President & CEO. Entering Pomona, Craig was considering pre-med, but decided that wasn’t the path for him during one fateful chemistry final. He instead took an interest in Public Policy Analysis and Economics, double majoring in both subjects. Following graduation, he worked in fundraising for a different college before obtaining his MBA at UCLA. Listen in to hear about real estate investing, Craig’s interest in sustainability in real estate, and more.

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)

Guy Lohman ‘71 covers his varied interests at Pomona, moving on to obtain his Masters and PhD in Operations Research at Cornell University, and his experience at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and then as a Researcher at IBM. Guy explains why he decided to major in Mathematics at Pomona (with Geology as a backup plan), and how he dreamed of working for NASA as a space cadet. Tune in to hear about Guy’s journey and his advice to students on how to utilize the one skill that all Pomona students have but most individuals lack.

You can connect with Guy at [email protected]

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening!

Music: Funhouse by Crowander (www.crowander.com)