The College and Career Ready Podcast | empowering students for the careers of today

Navigating College and Careers: Insights from Quincey Hettinger

In this episode of College and Career Ready, host Sonia Cacique interviews Quincey, a resilient individual who successfully transitioned from high school to college and then into a fulfilling career at PepsiCo. Quincey shares her journey from entering college undecided and utilizing resources such as clubs, career development classes, and real-world networking to find her career path. She discusses the importance of exploring interests, leveraging connections, and being patient with self-assessment to build a successful career. Quincey also provides advice for students facing challenges in their career journey, emphasizing resilience and proactive networking.

00:00 Introduction to College and Career Ready Podcast

00:35 Meet Quincey: From Undecided Major to Career Success

01:17 Quincey's High School Journey and College Decision

05:30 Exploring Majors and Career Development in College

06:32 Navigating College Clubs and Career Choices

13:43 Quincey's Post-College Career Path

19:39 Overcoming Career Challenges and Finding the Right Fit

26:31 Final Thoughts and Words of Encouragement

28:43 Closing Remarks and How to Connect

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, host Sonia Cacique welcomes Khalil Vinson, the founder and CEO of TechFest Live. Khalil shares his mission to bridge the technology gap for black and brown students through TechFest Live, an ed-tech nonprofit organization. They discuss the importance of identifying student interests, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the broad opportunities technology offers across various industries. Khalil also provides insights into the upcoming TechFest Expo on November 8th at the University of Houston, emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship in navigating tech careers.

00:00 Introduction to College and Career Ready Podcast
00:39 Meet Khalil Vinson: Bridging the Technology Gap
03:13 Exploring Tech Education and Career Opportunities
05:00 Identifying Interests and Leveraging Technology
17:26 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding Mentors
24:18 The Future of Technology and Inclusivity
27:03 TechFest Live: Empowering the Community
34:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more information on Tech Fest Live: https://techfestlive.com/

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, we sit down with Sophia, a high school senior from Turner College and Career High School in Pearland, TX. 

Sophia shares her inspiring journey of discovering her passion in STEM during her junior year. Like many students, Sophia wasn’t always sure what she wanted to pursue, despite trying various activities like sports, arts, and writing. It wasn’t until she took a CAD course at Alvin Community College that she found her true calling in engineering and robotics.

Throughout this episode, Sophia discusses the challenges and uncertainties she faced while searching for her passion. She also shares valuable insights on the importance of exploring different interests, developing soft skills, and the role of perseverance in finding one’s true path. Her story is a powerful reminder that the journey to discovering your passion is just as important as the destination.

Key Takeaways:
- The importance of exploring various interests to find your true passion.
- How taking a CAD course led Sophia to discover her love for engineering and robotics.
- The value of soft skills, mentorship, and not focusing solely on GPA in personal and professional growth.
- Encouragement for students who are unsure about their future paths.

Resources Mentioned:
- Alvin Community College CAD
- Robotics Clubs and STEM Programs  

Subscribe & Leave a Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us grow and reach more students and educators!

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

Embrace a Fresh Start: Top 3 Tips for Your New School Year!

In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, host Sonia Cacique, shares invaluable insights to help students make a successful transition into the new school year. Sonia discusses the top three focus areas that can enhance your academic and personal growth.

Don't miss out on this chance to start a fresh new school year and make meaningful strides in your educational journey. Tune in for actionable advice and inspiring tips to kick off the year on the right foot.

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

Unlocking College Success: Expert Tips on Choosing the Right College

In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, Coach Sonia spoke with her special guest Michelle McAnaney, founder and lead independent educational consultant of the College Spy. Michelle shares invaluable insights on the college selection process, discussing factors such as return on investment, understanding various college cultures, and the importance of finding a school that fits a student's unique needs. She emphasizes the benefit of hidden gem colleges and the practical importance of in-person campus visits. This episode is packed with essential advice for high school students and their families navigating the college admissions journey, highlighting the need for thorough research and self-reflection to make well-informed decisions.

00:00 Introduction to the College and Career Ready Podcast
00:36 Meet Michelle McAnaney: Founder of The College Spy
02:22 Understanding Return on Investment in College Selection
06:20 The Importance of College Fit Over Name Brand
15:36 Creating a Personalized College List
23:10 The Value of Campus Visits and Virtual Tours
28:32 Discovering Hidden Gem Colleges
36:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

In this episode, we dive into the critical question of how to determine if the career or degree program you’ve selected is truly the right fit for you. This discussion is essential for high school students, college students, and recent graduates who may have doubts about their chosen paths. The episode provides thought-provoking exercises to help listeners critically evaluate their career choices and motivations. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies to ensure your career aligns with your authentic self.

00:00 Introduction: Is Your Career the Right Fit?

01:30 Celebrating Milestones: Nearing the 100th Episode

05:02 Reflecting on Career Choices

07:48 Personal Story: My Career Journey

10:39 Self-Reflection Exercise: Why Did You Choose Your Career?

14:33 Exploring Career Alignment

16:58 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

Episodes mentioned: Why Connections Might Matter More Than Grades: A Lesson You Won't Learn in School or College

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

The Power of Connections in Career Success

In this episode of 'College and Career Ready,' host Sonia Cacique emphasizes the importance of building connections for high school and college students. Sonia, a former educator and now a career coach, shares her personal journey and how connections with mentors and professionals influenced her career growth. She offers practical advice on networking, gaining career clarity and even finding hidden scholarship opportunities for students.

After this episode you will have gained valuable resources to start making connections early and to discover new career opportunities. Coach Sonia shares personal anecdotes demonstrating how connections have significantly impacted her own career journey and advises students to engage with professionals in their fields of interest to gain insight and opportunities. The episode is a motivational guide on leveraging relationships to discover and pursue fulfilling career paths.

00:00 Introduction to College and Career Ready Podcast
01:06 The Importance of Connections
01:21 Join the College and Career Connections Club
02:49 Personal Journey and the Value of Mentors
05:55 Building Your Network for Career Success
10:39 Practical Steps to Build Connections
14:08 Career Connections Course and Community
16:12 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Mentioned in the podcast:
Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/course
College and Career Connections Club: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

In this episode, Coach Sonia explores the emotional rollercoaster that comes with starting a new school year or trying something new. Also, don't miss out on the announcement of a full tuition scholarship for STEM students at Houston Christian University. Join us for valuable insights and encouragement to embrace new challenges with confidence.


00:00 Introduction: Embracing New Beginnings

01:27 Personal Experience: Hosting My First Event

03:57 Facing Fears: The Journey to Overcome Anxiety

06:43 3 Tips for Confronting New Experiences

11:29 Scholarship Announcement: Opportunities for STEM Students

12:24 Conclusion: Embrace the Journey Ahead

Scholarship mentioned: For more information, go here.

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

Maximizing Your College Experience: Career Insights with Reena Friedman Watts

In this episode of the College and Career Ready podcast, Coach Sonia welcomes Reena Friedman Watts, host of the Better Call Daddy podcast. Reena shares her inspiring journey from college radio to working on shows like the Jerry Springer Show and Nanny 911, and transitioning into marketing and podcasting. They discuss building meaningful connections, exploring career paths, and leveraging life experiences to achieve career success. Reena also provides tips for parents on how to support their children's talents and emphasizes the importance of networking for college students. Tune in for valuable advice and strategies to help college students excel.

Topic of conversation:

• Maximizing College Experience
• High School Challenges and Lessons
• Finding Your Passions
• Career Transitions and Realizations
• Exploring User-Friendly Tools for Content Creation
• The Power of Networking: From Events to Opportunities
• Mastering LinkedIn: Tips and Tricks
• Encouraging Talents and Interests

Connect with Reena:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"

Building Connections: Connor's Journey from College to a Career in Sports

In this episode of the College and Career Ready Podcast, Coach Sonia welcomes Connor Potkonjak, a fourth-year commerce and international business student at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Connor shares his process of building crucial connections within the sports industry, including how a LinkedIn cold message inspired by the College and Career Ready Podcast led him to a meaningful info session with Yvette Yzaguirre from the Seattle Mariners. He discusses the importance of mentorship, persistence, and understanding one's 'why' in navigating career opportunities. Tune in to learn valuable tips for transitioning from college to a career and the significance of nurturing professional relationships.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:43 Meet Connor Pockinjack
02:44 Building Connections on LinkedIn
07:14 Transitioning from High School to College
12:06 The Importance of Mentorship
13:07 Connecting with Yvette Izaguirre
18:09 Connor's Career Journey and Advice
21:27 Closing Remarks and Farewell

Connect with Connor:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/connor-potkonjak
Instagram: connorpotkonjak

Episodes mentioned with Yvette Yzaguirre:
Episode #51 and #52: https://collegecareerready.org/podcast

Career Connections Summer Course

✔ Define interests, abilities & career goals ✔ Explore employment opportunities and trends ✔ Create your LinkedIn profile ✔ Establish S.M.A.R.T goals  ✔ Create a personalized roadmap

It is a 5-week Self-Paced Online Course w/ Weekly Virtual Group Sessions; first group session starts July 15th.

For more info: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/Course

Send us a text

Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram

Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join

Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE

"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"