Leaving The Nest

In this episode of Leaving the Nest, I sit down with longtime journalist John Barr to talk about what it really takes to build a career in media and how persistence, relationships, and authenticity still matter in a rapidly changing industry. Hear how John spent more than twenty years reporting for ESPN and now serves as an Investigative Reporter at WJLA-TV! In our conversation, John took us back...

Welcome back, everyone, to the first new episode of 2026! This episode truly feels like the perfect way to kick off the year, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with you. I am joined by Linus, one of our ROCStar alumni, and someone whom I've had the privilege of watching grow from an entry-level role into an Employee Development Manager who now trains new hires. Seeing that kind of growth...

I am very excited about this episode because I am, for the first time ever, joined by ROCS colleagues Sage and Piper ! Sage walks us through her journey from Recruiter to Account Manager, reflecting on her unique college experience during the pandemic, her career pivot, and the thrill of earning her promotion. Piper shares her start at ROCS straight out of college, including a first day unlike any...

Join me for this episode of Leaving the Nest as I discuss how to not only be successful but to thrive when working remotely! I highlight the importance of setting up a dedicated workspace at home with as few distractions as possible, a reliable internet connection, and clear boundaries with family, roommates, and pets, and I also stress the need for a consistent daily routine - including getting d...

Office etiquette and professionalism when starting a new job – you have probably heard these terms before and have heard that they are important, but you might not be aware of just how important that they are even for entry-level positions. Having prior experience in an office environment is highly valued by employers, and this can include things like internships, part-time campus jobs, or any rol...

Episode 58: Regret or Adjustment? How to Handle New Job Anxiety Starting a new job and already questioning your decision? In this episode of Leaving the Nest , we explore the common signs of new job regret , how to tell if what you're feeling is just part of the adjustment period , and how to navigate the uncertainty with confidence and professionalism. Whether you're overwhelmed by a new office e...

Let's take a moment to discuss the steps and considerations that are involved after accepting a job offer, from the perspective of both the employee and the employer.  We'll highlight why it's so important to be proactive and responsive during the onboarding process, as this is still part of the "first impression" stage! I'll outline several key steps that new employees should take, such as prompt...

One of the final steps in the hiring process that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety is the pre-employment background check which is why I am thrilled to be bringing you this conversation with Kristy Wheeler-Scott, an HR professional with over 8 years of experience, to get the inside scoop on what to expect! Kristy explains that background checks are a very important part of the hiring process,...

You have made it to the final round of interviews! Congratulations are in order for making it this far, especially since that means that you definitely have the job, right? Wrong. Just because you have made it to the final round of interviews does not mean that it's time to mentally accept the job, and in this episode, I am breaking down the very real, very overlooked truth about final round inter...

Let's talk this week about the dreaded panel interview. Yes, the panel interview, the one where you're the only person on one side of the table (or Zoom screen), and there are four or five people staring at you from the other side, shooting rapid-fire questions at you. I know; this doesn't sound fun, but that's why I am doing this episode of Leaving the Nest ! If you caught the last episode, we ta...

This episode is one that I know a lot of you have asked about because, let's be honest, group interviews are intimidating. They're uncomfortable, they're high-pressure, and half the time you walk in wondering if you're supposed to treat the other candidates like competition or potential coworkers. If you've never been a part of a group interview, you are not alone. I actually haven't either (at le...

Thanks for tuning back in to Leaving the Nest, dear listeners! Join me for this episode as I discuss a topic that might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek at first: how to lose a job in 10 days (inspired, of course, by the 2003 rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)! Of course, I am not actually setting you up for failure; instead, we will focus on what NOT to do when starting a new job so that you can av...

Welcome back to Leaving The Nest! I am so happy to have Devin Jones from episode 13 join the show again, this time to talk about how to make the most out of your first career fair experience! We share some helpful tips that will help you present your best self to employers, everything from your attire to your elevator pitch. Devin has truly seen it all when it comes to career fairs, everything fro...

I am so thrilled to be bringing you this milestone of Leaving the Nest - the 50th episode! Today I am joined by fellow ROCS colleague Kaitlin Hawes as we take some time to reflect on the highlights of 2024 from career advancements to personal triumphs. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane discussing a year full of growth and change! Kaitlin shares her own journey of Leaving the Nest and brin...

What better time is there to talk about being ghosted by potential employers than during spooky season? Ghosting isn't just something that happens in the dating world; it can also occur after you've gone through multiple interviews and feel confident that the job is yours. Maybe you have discussed start dates or salary, only for the hiring manager to suddenly disappear, leaving you with no explana...

Join me for this episode as I take on the far too often overlooked but crucial aspect of job applications: providing professional references. As you approach the final stages of your job search, the right references can truly play a pivotal role in solidifying the positive impression that you have already made.  You will learn how to select, prepare, and present your references effectively so that...

Welcome back! In today's episode, I'm excited to reconnect with you one-on-one! I've had the pleasure of hosting many incredible guests recently, but today, I'm diving into an essential topic for anyone looking to build a strong personal brand: professional headshots. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a great headshot from a professional photographer. As a fan of the DIY approach, I'll guid...

Tune in to this episode as I chat with Aishwarya Nagy who shares her fascinating journey from studying criminology and pre-law at George Mason University to landing a role at Google in a completely different field. We discuss her experiences as a student, a ROCStar Intern, her early career struggles, and the pivotal moments that led her to where she is today. From internships to her first job at a...

Join me for this episode as I sit down with Meg Kadrmas, an Internship Coordinator with extensive experience in career counseling and talent development. We tackle a plethora of topics essential for anyone navigating the job market, from resume writing and job searching strategies to interview preparation and the value of internships.  Meg shares invaluable insights into crafting resumes tailored...

Join me as Career Coach Chris Ricci returns to the podcast to discuss all things LinkedIn! If you have been neglecting LinkedIn, Chris has the expertise to turn it into a thriving career searching tool!  Today we'll delve into the various nuances of LinkedIn etiquette, from the importance of the right banner image to the perfect headline and beyond. Chris busts some common myths, emphasizing the i...

In this episode of  "Leaving the Nest," I sit down with Lee Kaiser to delve into the transformational power of goal-setting for personal and professional growth. Throughout the episode, Lee imparts his valuable insights on the correlation between self-confidence, risk-taking, and his secrets for turning resolutions into daily routines that help you build lasting habits for success. Plus, Lee share...

Today, Ana Kuzemka , our newest Recruiting Manager joins me to share her journey with ROCS and reflect on the accomplishments of our team this past year. As we close the chapter on 2023, we enjoyed taking a stroll down memory lane and reflecting on the exciting events, milestones, highlights, and lessons learned this year at ROCS! Join us as we bid farewell to 2023 and look forward to what's in st...

The landscape of employee benefits packages can be a bit of a maze to navigate. If you've already landed a job or you're in the process of deciding on the job that's the right fit for you, these benefits play a crucial role in your overall job satisfaction as well as your financial well-being. So it's only natural to have questions! Today, Jessica Lepp , Director of Operations at ROCS Staffing joi...

Have you considered launching your career in sales? It's an excellent starting point, especially if you possess strong communication skills and untapped potential.  Today, Wendy Weiss is joining me on the show. Wendy is The Queen of Cold Calling™ the Founder of the Salesology® , the author of " The Sales Winner's Handbook ," and a  speaker, sales trainer, and sales coach who has been featured in "...

Have you considered launching your career in sales? It's an excellent starting point, especially if you possess strong communication skills and untapped potential.  Today, Wendy Weiss is joining me on the show. Wendy is The Queen of Cold Calling™ the Founder of the Salesology® , the author of " The Sales Winner's Handbook ," and a  speaker, sales trainer, and sales coach who has been featured in "...