Get Career Curious

From Nursing to Clean Energy: My Gap Year Story Lyla Hollis quit nursing school, moved to Costa Rica for a gap year in permaculture, and landed her dream clean energy job before graduating. If you're questioning your major or career path, this episode reveals how gap years, AmeriCorps service, and real-world experience can fast-track your career in sustainability and environmental justice. Wha...

From High School to Pro Baseball — The Journey No One Talks About At just 18 years old, Trey Gregory-Alford was drafted straight into professional baseball — skipping college and jumping into the high-stakes world of the MLB minor leagues . But what came next? It wasn’t on ESPN. In this episode of the Get Career Curious Podcast , host Nolan Hollis dives deep with Trey to uncover the truth behind t...

What happens when you walk away from the “safe” path to chase what you love? Meet Carrie Taylor , VP of Operations for Spokane’s pro soccer teams — and a former pre-med student who swapped a stethoscope for a soccer ball. 🎓⚽ In this episode, Carrie shares how she went from studying biology at the University of Michigan to becoming a trailblazer for women in sports leadership. She opens up about...

An engineer-turned-entrepreneur shares how he built a life of freedom, purpose, and surf. 🌊 In this episode of Get Career Curious , host Nolan Hollis chats with Rich Naha , a University of Michigan grad who swapped the corporate ladder for a life of freedom, purpose, and surf. 🌊 Rich shares how his engineering mindset helped him master real estate investing , calculate risk vs reward , and turn...

Is engineering worth it? Mechanical engineer Patrick Fanning reveals what it’s really like after college — from mechanical engineering career paths and internships to breaking into consulting and the energy industry. Perfect for high school and college students exploring STEM, engineering, or career planning , this episode offers real talk about career fairs, interviews, and finding purpose in you...

🏐 Olympic gold medalist Haleigh Washington shares her journey, the rise of LOVB Volleyball , and real talk every student-athlete needs to hear. What does it really take to go from high school club ball to Olympic gold? In this episode of Get Career Curious , pro athlete and two-time Olympian Haleigh Washington shares the real story behind her journey—how she fell in love with volleyball, battled...

Ready to fast-track your college experience and save serious money? In this episode of Get Career Curious, host Marita sits down with Grant Thornham—a rising junior at the University of Tennessee—who breaks down his step-by-step plan to graduate in just three years and cut tuition costs by thousands. Grant gets candid about the smart moves that set him ahead: using summer classes, maximizing schol...

What does it really take to turn your passion for content into a dream career? In this episode, go behind the scenes with digital marketing pro and Colorado Springs influencer Meagan Thomas. She shares hard-won lessons for Gen Z and career changers—covering the realities of building a personal brand, getting paid as an influencer, nailing your first digital marketing job, and using your authentic...

Curious how to launch a purpose-driven career in sports broadcasting and TV journalism? Go behind the scenes with an industry pro to learn what it really takes to work in sports media, thrive in TV, and break into journalism. We’ll cover practical tips on landing internships, building real-world skills, and navigating the changing world of sports broadcasting—plus the keys to finding joy and meani...

Not Your Average Career Advice: What a Priest Can Teach Gen Z About Purpose, Fear, and Living Fully Are you asking, “What am I supposed to do with my life?” or tired of the same old career advice? In this episode of  Get Career Curious , host Marita McCahill chats with Father Tim Monahan—vocation director, world traveler, former business major, and a very relatable person. Father Tim serves up hon...

Curious about product development, brand management, or entrepreneurship? In this episode, Brittany Hizer—Cofounder and COO of Pluie—shares how she went from launching fitness products and leading an $80M business to cofounding the world’s first self-sanitizing diaper changing table, as seen on Shark Tank. In this episode: ​Discover what a product manager and brand manager  actually  do, from mark...

Curious about launching a career in investment banking? Finance expert Kjell Lundal, Managing Director at FMI Capital Investors, reveals what it’s really like to work in investment banking and shares his step-by-step roadmap for future finance leaders. You’ll learn: How to prepare for investment banking interviews The most important skills top firms look for, including financial modeling, analytic...

Curious about what it takes to launch—and thrive—in management consulting? In this episode, host Audrey Hollis sits down with Bill Jagrowski, COO of Jabian Consulting, who shares 30+ years of insider experience at the top of the consulting world. You’ll learn: What management consultants  really  do day-to-day (it’s more than PowerPoints!) How consulting can kickstart your career—even if you’re st...

Curious if architecture is the right career for you? Wondering what it really takes to become an architect—and if you need to be a math genius to make it? In this episode of Get Career Curious, host Marita McCahill sits down with architect Amanda Orsillo to break down the myths, challenges, and rewards of a creative career in architecture. Whether you’re a high school student, college freshman, or...

Curious about what a data scientist actually does—and if this booming career is right for you? 🚀 Host Audrey Hollis talks with Lindsay Neufer, Lead Data Scientist at a large management consulting firm, about breaking into data science, turning curiosity into a career, and why communication skills are just as important as coding. Ready to decode your future? If you’re a college or high school stud...

Curious about a career in finance or wealth management? Host Nolan Hollis sits down with Mark Starosciak, CFP and managing partner at Infinium Investment Advisors, who shares how he went from studying fine arts to leading a top financial advisory firm. Discover what it really takes to thrive in finance, the power of curiosity, and how to blend your skills and passions for a fulfilling career. Perf...

Curious about a career in medicine? Dr. Darren Eblovi, pediatric hospitalist and medical director at Colorado University, reveals how he went from a business internship in London to the Peace Corps in El Salvador, then pivoted to medicine—saving newborns and mentoring future doctors along the way. Discover why career pivots matter, what it’s really like to work in hospital medicine, and how to bui...

Curious about a career in PR, analyst relations, or tech? In this episode, Chris Hollis—Global Head of Analyst Relations at Qualtrics and former Microsoft leader—shares how he turned a passion for tech into a purpose-driven career. You’ll get real talk on career pivots, building your personal brand, and why relationship-building is everything in today’s digital world. Perfect for Gen Z students, r...

Curious about global health, nonprofit careers, or making a real impact? In this episode, Claire Cunningham—CEO of One World Surgery—shares how she went from selling Cutco knives to leading global health initiatives and launching a world-class surgery center in the Dominican Republic. You’ll hear how Claire’s journey took her from Botswana to Kenya and Ghana, and how she’s working to make safe, af...

Inside Startups & Innovation: Marita McGinn on Building a Purpose-Driven Career Curious about startups, tech, or launching your own business? In this episode, Marita McGinn—startup strategist and robotics accelerator director—shares how she went from a leadership scholarship to running one of the top robotics accelerator programs in the country. You’ll get real talk on breaking into startups,...

Curious about a career in nursing? In this episode, veteran nurse Robyn Rhinehart shares what 13 years in the field have taught her about flexibility, fulfillment, and finding the right nursing role for your lifestyle and goals. You’ll get real talk on the wide range of nursing specialties, how to avoid burnout, and the character traits that make a great nurse—plus Robyn’s top advice for students,...

Curious about working in the nonprofit world? In this episode, Pattijean McCahill—Chief Philanthropy Officer at Feeding America West Michigan—breaks down what a real nonprofit career looks like and why it’s full of opportunities for Gen Z in marketing, finance, fundraising, and operations. You’ll hear how Pattijean’s journey (with an MBA from Northwestern and an MPA from Grand Valley State) proves...

Curious how a U.S. diplomat becomes a tech strategist at Twitter and Google—and then a leadership coach? In this episode, Kashia Dunner shares her journey of bold career pivots, revealing the “hidden rules” of getting hired, how to bounce back from burnout, and why your major isn’t your destiny. Perfect for Gen Z students, recent grads, or anyone craving more meaning in their work, this episode is...

Curious about becoming a vet or making a bold career change? In this episode, Dr. Robyn Read—former D1 volleyball player and coach turned board-certified veterinary surgeon—shares how she went from the court to the operating table, launching her own mobile vet surgery practice in Dallas, TX. You’ll get real talk on what it takes to become a veterinarian, the realities of vet school and surgical re...

Inside Legal Careers: Joanna Collias on Law School, Courtrooms & Career Pivots Curious about law school or what lawyers  actually  do every day? In this episode, Joanna Collias shares her journey from prosecuting criminal cases in courtrooms to working as in-house counsel in the financial services industry. You’ll get real talk on getting into law school, the difference between public and priv...