Career Pulse DC

In this episode of Career Pulse DC, Margaret and Fraser talk with executive coach and author Karen Thrall about managing anger, navigating conflict, and redefining respect in the workplace. Karen breaks down why most workplace tension stems from mismatched expectations rather than bad intent, and offers practical frameworks for responding in the moment—from her “Now vs. Later” approach to staying...

Breaking into the workforce has never felt more confusing—or more competitive. In this episode of Career Pulse DC, Margaret sits down with career strategist Liz Helton of Career Transformation Partners to unpack what’s really happening in the Gen Z job market. From AI reshaping entry-level roles to the reality behind “ghost jobs,” they break down what’s changed—and what still works. If you’re navi...

In this episode of Career Pulse DC, Margaret sits down with Tess Brigham, host of Gen Mess with Tess, to unpack how generational experiences, from Boomers to Gen Z, are shaping today’s workplace. Drawing on over 20 years as a licensed psychotherapist and coach, Tess offers a rare, ground-level view of how technology, COVID, burnout, and shifting cultural norms are influencing how people work, lead...

Note: While this episode was recorded in October 2025, release was delayed out of respect for furloughed federal workers affected by the 2025 shutdown. This week on Career Pulse DC, Margaret sits down with federal hiring expert Diane Hudson (Polished Resumes) and Traverse Jobs CEO Fraser Traverse for a deep dive into one of the biggest changes to federal hiring in decades: OPM’s new requirement th...

In this episode of Career Pulse DC, Margaret Knudsen and Fraser Traverse sit down with career coach, public servant, and Win at Work podcast host Eric Woodard to talk about navigating the 2025 job market. Eric shares his unconventional path from scuba instructor in Guam to working in the White House, U.S. Senate, State Department, and Smithsonian—and how those experiences inform his approach to he...

Description: In this episode of Career Pulse DC, we sit down with Traverse Jobs' longest continuous subscriber, Narric Rome. A DC veteran since 1994, Narric shares how internships, lobbying, campaign work, and advocacy shaped his career—and how staying curious (and checking job boards daily) helped him stay relevant. The conversation dives into: ✅ How Narric landed his first jobs in DC ✅ Why int...

Thinking about pivoting to an international career—or finally making that leap overseas? In this episode of Career Pulse DC, host Margaret Knudsen sits down with international careers coach Dawson Law and Fraser Traverse, CEO of Traverse Jobs, for a dynamic conversation about navigating global job markets. Dawson shares his own career journey—from working at the State Department to representing th...

Guest: Karen Carter, Internship Advisor, Washington Semester Program (American University) Special Guest: Fraser Traverse, CEO of Traverse Jobs Episode Summary: In this episode of Career Pulse DC, we dive deep into one of the most impactful entry points to a career in politics, policy, and public service: the internship. Margaret is joined by Karen Carter from American University’s renowned Washin...

Join us as we explore the origin story behind Traverse Jobs, the key workforce trends shaping this industry, and the advice Brad and Fraser have for powering your career in D.C. and beyond. Whether you're just starting out or already making waves, Career Pulse DC provides the knowledge and connections to take your career to new heights.