The Graduate at Work

Today I have the privilege of talking to Aman Ailani.

Aman graduated from Bentley University in 2020. Unlike most of his peers who got jobs, Aman went straight into starting his own business. Being born & raised in Dubai, he grew up around a coffee culture. Arabian coffee pots, rich aromas of dark roast beans, and the sweet smell of dates filled every home he was in.

However, it wasn’t until his freshman in college year that he took a real interest in coffee. After realizing that he needed a healthy, grab-and-go coffee that would keep him energized for his late-night study sessions but his options were limited, he devised a brand strategy with his family and SAH.OL was born.

I first learned about Aman on LinkedIn where he is sharing his journey and all the ups and downs of starting a CPG business. Be sure to follow him there. And buy some of his coffee!

A big part of this podcast is to share the different possible experiences students have after graduating. Starting a business is a path that you can take.

Sah-OL Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sipsahol/

Aman's Linkedin profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/peoplecoldbrew/

Jai's LinkedIn Profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/

Website:

www.thegraduateatwork.com

I ask all my guests on the show the same question:

“If they could go back in time, they have just graduated, what piece of advice would they give themselves?” In this episode, I want to answer that question for myself. What is the one thing I would tell my younger self to do differently?

Jai's email: [email protected]

LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

Website: www.thegraduateatwork.com

Today Jai speaks to Jonathan Javier.

Jonathan is the CEO at Wonsulting. Wonsulting was created with one goal in mind: to turn underdogs into winners. Helping those who come from non-traditional backgrounds/non-target schools to get them into their dream careers. The company has helped people land jobs at the big tech, accounting, and banking firms.

Jonathan says he remembers struggling to find opportunities coming from a non-target school/non-traditional background. Applying to hundreds of roles wasn't working. He decided to change the way he approached job searching. Then, once he found himself at a big tech firm he realized how few people came from non-traditional backgrounds and he wanted to change that.

Since then he has spoken in 8 countries and 180+ universities and organizations to speak on careers in the last 2 years.

Jonathan's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-wonsulting/

Wonsulting website: https://www.wonsulting.com/

Jai's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

website: www.thegraduateatwork.com

Can't find a job because of Covid-19?

In this episode Jai talks about what you should do if you feel this way.

She discusses an important principle when it comes to problem-solving and taking ownership of a problem.

Jai's email address:

[email protected]

Jai's LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

Today Jai talks to Jonathan Tesser.

Jonathan is the VP of Research, Insights, and Analytics at NYC & Company with more than 15 years of experience of in using data to learn about consumers and applying those insights to drive key business objectives.

Jonathan considers himself to be the Career Whisperer for Young Professionals and says “I’m the golden goose laying eggs of knowledge for smart and confused young professionals.”

He is also a LinkedIn content creator who believes that good writing has the power to make people better.

Jonathan is clearly very passionate about helping young professionals find the career path that is right for them as soon as possible.

Jonathan's LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-tesser-a2a1852/

Jai's LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

In this final episode on Feedback, Jai talks about having a process in place to receive feedback.

A process is a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. Receiving feedback does not only consist of one action, hearing. There are multiple steps you will need to take to process it.

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

Website:

www.thegraduateatwork.com

In today's episode, Jai speaks to Carlo Martinez.

Carlo is the founder and CEO of SteppingBlocks, a data and analytics engine that provides workforce and education outcome insights on over 100 million people in the U.S. Carlo with his company aims to create a confident ecosystem of students, institutions, and employers by understanding our impact at scale.

After graduating with a finance degree Carlo struggled to find a job and ended up working as a perfume salesman and also as an assistant manager at Wendy’s. His first real job was as a teller at a bank. He shares how he learned from others how to be in the corporate space. He eventually found the perfect career for himself, data analysis, and the rest is history as they say.

Carlo's LinkedIn Profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-martinez-65444310/

Steppingblocks website:

https://www.steppingblocks.com/

Jai's LinkedIn Profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

Website:

www.thegraduateatwork.com

Today Jai talk to Stephen Lu.

Stephen Lu is a Project Manager at Lockheed Martin and recent graduate of their Engineering Leadership Development Program. In his 7 years so far, he has worked 5 different positions including in missile defense and satellite mission operations.

On the side, Stephen has been posting weekly videos on LinkedIn for 3 years, sharing career tips and advice. During shelter-in-place this year, he has rebranded himself as a LinkedIn and Career coach where he helps others achieve success in their careers.

Stephen shares how he started creating content online and how that has benefited him in his career.

Stephen's LinkedIn profile:

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

Jai's Linkedin profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

Website:

www.TheGraduateAtWork.com

Today I have the privilege of talking to Alan Stein Jr.

Alan Stein, Jr. teaches proven strategies to improve organizational performance, create effective leadership, increase team cohesion and collaboration, and develop winning mindsets, rituals, and routines.

A successful business owner and veteran basketball performance coach, he spent 15 years working with the highest-performing athletes on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant).

In his corporate keynote programs and workshops, Alan reveals how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level. He delivers practical lessons that can be implemented immediately. His clients include American Express, Pepsi, Sabra, Starbucks, UGG, Under Armour, and numerous college athletic programs.

The strategies from Alan’s book, Raise Your Game: High Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best, are implemented by corporate teams and sports teams around the country.

Alan asks every group he works with:

Are the habits you have today on par with the dreams you have for tomorrow?

Alan's tribute to Kobe Bryant:

https://alansteinjr.com/one-final-tribute-to-kobe/

Alan's website:

https://alansteinjr.com/

Jai's LinkedIn profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolandi-gevers/

Website

www.thegraduateatwork.com

Hi there

We are going to take a break for this holiday season.

Merry Christmas/Happy holidays to you all.

See you in the new year.

Jay