Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The Graduate at Work
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The Graduate at Work episodes
- 012: Oceans, Cereals, and Careers
Jai shares some insights she pulled from the book, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them.
Society keeps saying that your thirties are the new twenties, and while this mantra sounds great, this kind of mindset has caused many social and emotional problems for actual 20 somethings. It has, for the most part, had a negative effect on 20 somethings lives. Many 20, some things are essentially delaying adulthood, which leaves them feeling lost in their twenties and the need to catch up in their thirties.
It is a fascinating book, which Jay highly recommends. And you can pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/2XE3kp4
The Negative Metaphor:
Our twenties can feel like we are hopeless in the midst of a vast ocean, and that swimming in the wrong direction could mean death.
This is a metaphor that causes anxiety and despair, but more than anything, it just does not reflect the career journey accurately.
The Positive Metaphor:
Think of your career as going to the grocery store to buy cereal breakfast, cereal, you walk into the store and you find out where the cereal is. And when you get to the cereal aisle, you are taken aback by the vast quantity of options to choose from. Actually the amount of options to choose from is overwhelming. And for a moment, you do not know where to even start in making a decision. Does that sound similar to the start of your career? How do you deal with that situation?
How to Deal with Decisions:
- Go into problem solving mode.
- Reflect a little bit and about who you are and what you like. Consider your values.
Tweetable Quotes:
- “Change your mind to see each job as an experience that tells you more about yourself, the things you like and those you don’t.”
- “The most important thing to do is not to be paralyzed.”
- “Make a decision, learn from your experience of the decision, refine your criteria, choose the next job based on your new criteria. Repeat the process. And one day you will find yourself in a job that is perfect for you."
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
10 min - 011: Lauren Zelenka | Refining Your Career Journey
Lauren Zelenka is a 2016 graduate of Bentley University with a double major in Finance and Global Perspectives, and minors in Computer Information Systems and Law. She is currently pursuing Massachusetts CPA certification and MS in Accountancy and has been serving clients as an Audit Associate with Grant Thornton since August 2019.
On This Episode:
- Lauren shares about her time transitioning from being an intern as an undergrad to getting a job at KSI.
- Jai and Lauren reflect on their time working together in the startup stage at KSI.
- Hear how to feel confident in your choices.
- Learn the best ways for graduates to impress in the first three months.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s okay to have things that you don’t like.
- Trust in your progression.
- Ask questions if you don’t know something.
- Be proactive in taking on tasks during downtime.
- Don’t take feedback personally.
Tweetable Quotes:
- “Being totally present is the key to success."
Lauren Zelenka
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zelenkalauren/
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
53 min - 010: Nico and Jai Discuss Ownership
Jai sits down with Nico Gevers to discuss the topic of ownership.
Nico has almost 10 years experience in developing software, with which included owning his own business. He enjoys staying at the cutting edge of technology while maintaining good customer relationships. He is also a fantastic husband and father.
How to Take Ownership;
- Take ownership of decisions, whether successes or failures.
- Have an active approach to your career.
- Audit your career in light of your own developmental goals.
- Look past the obstacle to get through it.
- See things that are uncomfortable as challenges as opposed to true obstacles.
- Find a mentor who can help you identify your true skills.
- Don’t run away from difficult situations.
- Ownership is a constant journey.
Tweetable Quotes:
"A career progression is an increase in responsibility." – Nico Gevers
Find more information about The Graduate at Work:
- thegraduateatwork.com
30 min - 009: The Mindset Needed for Ownership - Jai Gevers
Jai shares two different mindsets related to ownership and the way that those with a passive mindset interact with their careers versus those with an active mindset.
The Passive Mindset:
- Thinking the world happens to you.
- Finds excuses for behavior.
- Reactionary.
- Does not take responsibility.
- Confuses failure with destiny.
The Active Mindset:
- Plays with the hand your dealt.
- Proactive as opposed to reactive.
- Bias toward action.
- Solution-oriented.
- Goal-oriented.
- Takes responsibility for their action.
Tweetable Quotes:
- “It's not about the hand your dealt, it's what you do with them."
- "Fault is backward-looking, responsibility is forward-looking."
Recommended Resource:
https://amzn.to/3hXnnGG
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
16 min - 008: Bobby Wayne | Identify What is Slowing You Down
Bobby Wayne is the Software Development Manager at PillPack –an Amazon Company.
On This Episode:
- Bobby discusses going from studying psychology to becoming a software engineer.
- Learn how Bobby’s degree practically helped him in the workplace
- Find out the dangers of being a lone wolf.
- Develop the self awareness to recognize what is slowing you down in your career.
Key Takeaways:
- Your ability to express yourself through writing is critical.
- You don’t learn how to do something well by doing it quickly.
- Find managers you can have authentic conversations with about your career.
Tweetable Quotes:
- “People don’t leave jobs, they leave managers.”
- “Over communicating is the number one thing.”
Bobby Wayne:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbywayne/
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
53 min - 007: 3 Obstacles to taking ownership - Jai Gevers
Jai shares the three biggest obstacles to taking ownership:
- Your emotions
- Your attitude
- Your ability to problem solves
Tweetable Quotes:
- You are your own biggest obstacle.
- Our logic has a natural disadvantage to our emotions.
- Your success hinges on your attitude
- The solution to your problem is already inside you.
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
14 min - 006: Dr. Rob McCleland | Lead Yourself First
About Rob McCleland:
- Owner of Upward Leadership--a consulting and training company.
- Past President of John Maxwell Leadership Foundation
I have sat in the big chair in Higher Education, Medical Foundations, and multinational groups.
My goal is very simple: build hard working, healthy, and fun organizations where people love to serve and give their best. I do that by an unrelenting commitment to clarifying purpose, empowering employees, and acknowledging contributions. I concentrate on the kind of Leadership Development that leads individuals and teams to a more inspiring and more rewarding future. I live it, train others for it and speak about it.
On This Episode:
- Rob shares about growing up in a difficult home life and how that inspires him to give to others.
- Hear about Rob’s college experience as a gifted auditory learner.
- Learn how to transform your habits.
- Find out why Rob believes networking is the key to life.
Key Takeaways:
- If you are not making your boss money, you should be fired.
- You have to take responsibility for your own life.
- Make incremental positive changes each day.
Tweetable Quotes:
- “A mentor is someone who loves you enough to say something.”
- “If you have enough guts to ask any question, I have enough guts to answer it.”
Rob McCleland:
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
46 min - 005: Jai Gevers | 5 Practical Steps to Take Ownership of Your Career
Jai shares five practical steps to take ownership of your career.
Key Takeaways:
You’ve always got to remember that you’re an owner, not a renter of your career.
- Have a long-term vision for your career.
- Equip yourself to be a good owner
- Undertake regular career maintenance.
- Understand the effect of short-term actions.
- Always look for opportunities to increase the value of your career.
Tweetable Quotes:
- “Never base your performance off only your own opinions.”
- “Just wishing for things never got anyone anywhere.”
Download the Semi-Annual Career Maintenance Review:
https://www.thegraduateatwork.com/resources
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
16 min - 004: Nico Gevers | Be Intentional
Nico has almost 10 years experience in developing software, with which included owning his own business. He enjoys staying at the cutting edge of technology while maintaining good customer relationships. He is also a fantastic husband and father.
On This Episode
- Nico discusses starting his own business at a young age.
- Learn how to transition from a small organization to a larger organization.
- Jay and Nico explain how to set clear goals and plans for your career.
- Hear how staying on top of your skills opens new opportunities in the future.
Key Takeaways:
- You have to be able to juggle your longterm goals as well as your short term goals.
- Have a strong plan B.
- Have the self-discipline to continually improve your skills.
"When you're going through hell, just keep going." – Winston Churchill
Find more information about The Graduate at Work:
- thegraduateatwork.com
49 min - 003: Jai Gevers | What is One of the Most Important Things You Can Do for Your Career?
Jai shares one of the most important things you can do today to achieve your career goals – OWNERSHIP.
Key Takeaways:
- You cannot expect others to care about your trajectory more than you. You MUST take ownership.
- You have to become a good steward of your career.
- Distinguish the differences between a renter and an owner:
- Renters only care about short term livability.
- Owners care more about the life-time legacy and take responsibility to address issues.
How to Be a Great Owner:
- Have a long-term vision for the thing you own.
- Equip yourself for ownership.
- Undertake regular maintenance.
- Understand the effect of short-term, everyday actions.
- Look for opportunities to increase the value of what you own.
Tweetable Quotes:
- Your goal directs all your actions.
- Fixing things when they break is a renter’s mentality.
- Think long-term and act short-term.
Want more information from The Graduate at Work?
thegraduateatwork.com
13 min
About The Graduate at Work
From the publisher's feed
There are so many resources and podcasts out there to help you land the “perfect” job, from creating the perfect resume to having the perfect interview, but what happens after you get the job? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in The Graduate At Work podcast.
One thing you will notice when starting your first job is that recent graduates like yourself face a unique dilemma. On the one hand, managers expect you to have soft skills and business skills when entering the workforce. On the other hand, your college degree, while very expensive, did not teach you these skills. To make matters worse, no one in the workplace will tell you to learn these skills or teach them to you. You are for the most part expected to figure it out yourself and it leads to unnecessary frustration.
And that’s why I believe it’s high time to change things. It’s high time you were given the information and tools you need to go into the work force with confidence. The interviews and information we’r...