Northwestern Intersections

Latest Episodes:

Carol Ross '83, '87 MS on the Emotions of Career Change Nov 08, 2018

Show notes

Carol Ross '83, '87 MS worked as an engineer for years before making a transition. Ross started working with her HR department to get experience working with and training colleagues as an engineer a few years before she was let go from her long-standing position. Through that experience, dabbling in training and facilitating, she was able to get an idea of what she would be good at, and even more importantly what she would enjoy, in a second career. Ross discusses the emotions of a career change from her personal perspective, as well as her work with clients in the midst of personal and professional change. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion of something many people don't consider when actively making a change in their lives – their emotions.

Greg Schwem '84 on his Longevity in Comedy Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

Greg Schwem '84 started his career in print journalism after graduating from the Medill School of Journalism. He worked his way into the broadcast side of reporting through his ability to learn quickly what the story was. He transferred this skill again later in his career during his transition into corporate entertaining through comedy. He has been in the world of comedy for almost 30 years, finding his niche in performing stand-up comedy and humorous motivational speeches at corporate events worldwide. Schwem shares valuable insights and inspiration for alumni looking to make a career change themselves.

Dorothy Tucker '78 on her Lasting Career in Reporting Oct 11, 2018

Show notes

Dorothy Tucker '78 knew that she wanted to be a reporter since she was 16 years old so she came to Northwestern for the program in radio and television. Tucker has been a reporter ever since she graduated from Northwestern, working her way back to the community she grew up with, in Chicago. She has been at CBS 2 Chicago since 1984. Tucker talks about having three children throughout her time as a reporter, along with the sacrifices she had to make on both ends. Now she is an empty nester, traveling across the country to see her children, and was recently promoted to an investigative reporter. Don't miss her advice on advocating for yourself and having the courage to persevere.

Also, Tucker is the Co-Chair of her 40 Year Reunion Committee. Homecoming and Reunion Weekend (October 11-14) are cherished traditions where alumni can share a toast to the past and a toast to the future. It is a time to come home to Evanston to celebrate, reconnect with classmates, and create new memories. Visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/homecoming and www.alumni.northwestern.edu/reunion for more information.

Emily Farr '03 on Launching Her Own Firm and Nonprofit Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

Emily Farr '03 went to law school after graduating from Northwestern not knowing exactly what she would do with that degree. Farr has since launched her own firm focused on corporate, employment, and health law. As she became a successful attorney she went looking for a women's speakers bureau to get involved with. She couldn't find what she was looking for so she started her own. Myra is Chicago's all-female speakers bureau working to connect talented women to speaking opportunities and networking events. It may look like Farr has taken some risks in her career, but she doesn't see it that way. Tune in for her perspective on putting in the work to figure out what you love. Also, Farr is the Co-Chair of her 15 Year Reunion Committee. Homecoming and Reunion Weekend (October 11-14) are cherished traditions where alumni can share a toast to the past and a toast to the future. It is a time to come home to Evanston to celebrate, reconnect with classmates, and create new memories. Visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/homecoming and www.alumni.northwestern.edu/reunion for more information.

Conversations with the NAA Board President: 2018 Northwestern Alumni Medalists Edition Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Tune into a conversation with the Northwestern Alumni Association Board President, Samir Mayekar, as we discuss pivotal career concepts from the 2018 Northwestern Alumni Medalists. The Northwestern Alumni Medal is the highest honor given by the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA). It will be bestowed this fall on two Fortune 500 CEOs, a movie studio executive, and a Smithsonian museum director.

Louis A. Simpson '58, ('96 P), Trustee, investment advisor and Fortune 500 CEO
Johnnetta B. Cole '59 MA, '67 PhD, '92 H, Smithsonian museum director and college president
Douglas R. Conant '73, '76 MBA ('09 P), Fortune 500 CEO and New York Times bestselling author
Courtney D. Armstrong '93, '97 JD, MBA, Warner Bros. Pictures executive

Ben Parr '08 on Networking to Make Career Transitions Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

Ben Parr '08 may not have found the perfect fit in his career right after graduating from Northwestern but he quickly transitioned to an organization where he thrived. Parr stayed at Mashable for over 3 years as it grew into one of the largest tech publications in the world. In the ten years since leaving Northwestern, Parr has been a journalist, investor, entrepreneur, and even an author of Captivology: The Science of Capturing People's Attention. Don't miss his insights on taking advantage of opportunities you didn't even know where in front of you. Also, as a member of his 10 Year Reunion Committee, Parr shares what he is looking forward to most when he comes back to campus for Reunion Weekend.

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend (October 11-14) are cherished traditions where alumni can share a toast to the past and a toast to the future. It is a time to come home to Evanston to celebrate, reconnect with classmates, and create new memories. Visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/homecoming andwww.alumni.northwestern.edu/reunion for more information.

Heather Foster '03 on Growing Through the Obama Campaign and Administration Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

Heather Foster '03 joined the Obama Campaign early on in her career and she stayed with the Obama Administration for over ten years, growing her career throughout that time. She held a number of different philanthropic and political roles, where she both learned valuable skills and also left a lasting impact on this nation. Foster shares her perspective on the learning curve of making career changes and the importance of having your own board of directors to support your career decisions. Also, as a member of her 15 Year Reunion Committee, Foster shares more about what Reunion means to her.

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend (October 11-14) are cherished traditions where alumni can share a toast to the past and a toast to the future. It is a time to come home to Evanston to celebrate, reconnect with classmates, and create new memories. Visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/homecoming and www.alumni.northwestern.edu/reunion for more information.

Sarah Powers '02 on her Nontraditional Path to Podcasting Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

Sarah Powers '02 worked in restaurants after graduating from Northwestern so that she could pursue her passion in dancing. Although this may not be a stereotypically traditional career path, she became a successful dancer before moving into the corporate space where she was able to hone a different set of skills. She didn't know it then but Powers' combination of experience in a creative space as well as on the business side played into her successes as the co-host of The Mom Hour and the Creative Director of the Life Listened Podcast Network. As a business owner and mother of three, Powers shares her honest opinions on parenthood as well as valuable insights for alumni facing tough career decisions themselves.

Thaddeus Tukes '16 on Creating a Major and a Lifestyle Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

Thaddeus Tukes '16 came to Northwestern knowing that there wasn't a program for what he wanted to do but he had the faith he could work with Northwestern to create one. Although it wasn't always easy, Tukes worked with leaders at the Bienen School of Music to create a major that worked for him, just as he is now working with community leaders in Chicago to create a lifestyle that works for him. He has accomplished a lot in his two year career path, like performing the vibraphone and being showcased at Carnegie Hall and the Symphony Center in Chicago, among many other jazz festivals, but he is most proud of his work teaching young people to enjoy and love art. You won't want to miss this conversation around transforming your perspective from finding a career path to creating a lifestyle.

Alexis Alexanian '85 on Mentoring the Next Generation of Women Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Alexis Alexanian '85 started her career in advertising before quickly moving into the entertainment space where her career took off. She is currently an independent feature film and television producer, production executive and consultant. She has accomplished a lot in her career from working on major feature films to becoming the Board Chair of New York Women in Film & Television, where she has enjoyed her work in mentoring the next generation of women in her industry. Alexis is excited to build on her mentorship of future women leaders through her new appointment on the Council of 100, a group of executive Northwestern alumnae formed to connect successful Northwestern women with recent alumnae to help launch their careers after graduation.

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