So... What Do You Do

In this conversation, Elle Overholt interviews her mother, Susanne Schaeffer, who is a senior attorney recruiting manager for a global law firm. Susanne shares her journey from working in retail and cosmetics to becoming an attorney and eventually transitioning into her current role in recruiting. She explains that her day-to-day involves managing relationships with attorneys and recruiters, coordinating interviews, and handling logistics for hiring.

Elle and her mom discuss the role of a recruiting manager or lead at a law firm and whether a law degree is required for this position. They explore the various career paths available with a law degree, including corporate, regulatory, and government positions. They emphasize the importance of networking and building relationships in the legal field. Elle's mom shares her advice for young people interested in pursuing a career in law or any other field.

Elle Overholt interviews Jennifer Abreu, a senior instructional designer in the learning and development field. Jennifer shares her journey from studying linguistics to working in academia and eventually transitioning to the corporate world. She explains that her role as an instructional designer involves creating learning solutions that help people perform their jobs better and improve business performance. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of problem-solving, analysis, and understanding the root cause of a problem before designing a learning solution.

She recommends the GROW coaching model for setting goals and finding ways forward. Jennifer highlights the benefits of creating a portfolio and recommends the book 'Map It' by Cathy Moore. She also shares her favorite office accessory, the walking pad, and emphasizes the importance of relationships and communication skills in the workplace.

Danielle Walsh, Senior Principal Team Leader at Chick-fil-A, shares her role in leading the planning process for the company. The planning process at Chick-fil-A consists of four phases: dream, develop, decide, and deliver.

Danielle's role is to bring the right leaders together to consider work that the company can pursue and make resource allocation decisions. Danielle emphasizes the importance of being detail-oriented and having strong communication skills, particularly in creating clear and impactful PowerPoint presentations. In this conversation, Danielle Walsh discusses the importance of equipping leaders with both strategic vision and detailed information.

Her advice for young professionals is to work hard and perform excellently in their current roles, as this will open up more opportunities in the future. She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and building relationships with people you click with personally.

McKenna is a labor and delivery nurse and she shares her journey of becoming a nurse. McKenna explains the day-to-day responsibilities of a labor and delivery nurse, including medication administration, monitoring patients, and assisting with the labor process. She also discusses the transition from labor and delivery to postpartum care and the importance of providing specialized care for high-risk patients. McKenna enjoys the urgency and critical nature of her job and finds fulfillment in helping bring new life into the world.

McKenna also highlights the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of labor and delivery, as well as the joy of witnessing the creation of a new family. She shares that the most challenging aspect of her job is the high stress and the need to balance medical needs with emotional support. McKenna also discusses the flexibility of working night shifts and the potential for career advancement in nursing.

In this episode, Elle Overholt interviews Kevin Cone, who works in student athlete development at Georgia Tech. They discuss the Total Person Program, which focuses on career development, leadership development, total wellness, social impact, and community outreach. Kevin shares that his favorite part of his job is helping people reach their dreams, while the most challenging aspect is setting realistic expectations and finding balance in event planning. He advises young professionals to connect with people in the field, be open to opportunities, and trust the process.

In this episode, Kristin, a senior software engineer in the financial industry, shares her insights and experiences in computer engineering. She discusses her role in designing and maintaining software applications, collaborating with other team members, and solving problems creatively.

Kristin's journey into computer engineering began with a programming class that sparked her interest, and she enjoys the constant learning and problem-solving aspects of her job. Kristin shares advice for those interested in computer engineering, including getting involved in clubs and attending conferences. She also mentions the growing demand for roles in data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of fun questions and career advice for recent graduates.

In this episode, Elle Overholt interviews Matt Flynn, a project manager at Pond & Company, an engineering architecture construction management company. Matt shares his journey from studying aerospace engineering to specializing in traffic and transportation project management. He discusses the importance of exploring different areas within the industry and gaining practical experience through internships and involvement in professional organizations. Matt also highlights the impact of transportation projects on people's daily lives and the challenges of dealing with red tape in the industry. His advice for aspiring professionals is to find a balance between the work they do and the environment in which they do it.

In this episode, Elle Overholt interviews Halle Bryan, a consultant specializing in data and analytics. Hallie explains that consulting involves helping companies solve complex challenges and navigate through changes. She discusses her day-to-day work, which includes data engineering and data visualization. Hallie emphasizes the importance of teamwork and problem-solving skills in consulting. She also advises listeners to join consulting clubs or organizations in college and to focus on developing technical skills that are relevant to the consulting industry.

Meet Sarah Kate, Research and Strategy Consultant in Technology Consulting! Listen in to learn more about studying Industrial Design, working as a User Experience Lead, and now in Research and Strategy.

She shares amazing insight into her work but also great advice on how to navigate from one role to another. Enjoy!

"It's a collective impact and it really takes everyone to drive this train and prevent widespread fire destruction"

Meet Max! Max is a Fire Restoration specialist in Montana that has a passion for the environment and preserving it. Every day and even every season is different for him and his roles and responsibilities. If you are someone who wants to be outside, make an impact, and also interested in fire safety, this episode is definitely for you!

Additional resources: 

usajobs.gov 

Emerald Mile: Max's favorite book