The Career Ready Podcast

Welcome to Season 4! On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we give career tips on how to have a successful fall semester by updating your resume, participating on campus, getting ready for a spring or summer internship, and more.  We also discuss highlights from our faculty interviews from over the summer. Topic #1 – Catch up with your hosts, Michelle Malik, Pierre Michiels, and Rebecca Har...

 In today’s episode Rebecca interviews Brian Clement, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Horticulture at College of DuPage. They discuss the career possibilities within horticulture along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to what the program has to offer its students at College of DuPage. Learn more about COD's Horticultu...

In this episode Michelle interviews Robert Plank, Assistant Professor, at College of DuPage. They discuss the career possibilities within computer and information technology along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to what the program has to offer its students at College of DuPage. Get more information about Computer and Information Tec...

In this episode Pierre interviews Stephanie Vlach, Assistant Professor, Co-chair for Sports Management, and Sports Management Faculty Advisor at College of DuPage. Throughout the interview the possibilities within sports management as a career are discussed along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to specific details about studying the...

In today's episode Rebecca interviews Steve Accardi, English Professor and Program Chair of the award-winning Writing Studies program at College of DuPage. They discuss the national award-winning Professional Writing Certificate as well as the importance of writing in the workplace. From STEM to business to the arts, writing is an essential skill that propels job seekers to better opportuniti...

In today’s episode Michelle interviews Anna Campbell, Assistant Professor, at College of DuPage. They discuss the career possibilities within surgical technology along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to what the program has to offer its students at College of DuPage. Get more information about the Surgical Technology Program at Colle...

In today’s episode Pierre interviews Maureen McBeth, an Accounting Professor and the Accounting Program Chair at College of DuPage. Throughout the interview the Accounting field is discussed along with skills needed to succeed as an accounting professional. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to specific details about studying the program at College of DuPage. Also discussed is the adv...

In today’s episode, we’ll provide you with tips on how to give your elevator pitch in an interview setting. We’ll also answer a listener question about how to address a work gap in an interview and dive deeper into our resource of the day, Big Interview.  Topic #1: Pierre talks about the resource of the day, Big Interview, which helps prepare you for an interview by learning about interview tips a...

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear an interview with two College of DuPage international students from the CCI Program. They will talk about their experiences in transitioning to a new area leading to struggles and success in building a network from minimal connections. We’ll also answer a listener question about using a cover letter in the job search and discuss the NACE competency of Teamwork. ...

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear an interview with College of DuPage’s Interim Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion about DEI in the workplace and how to discuss DEI during a job interview. We’ll also answer a listener question about how to list multiple jobs at the same company on a resume and discuss the NACE competency of Equity and Inclusion.  Topic #1: Pierre discusses some key be...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we talk about how to share your elevator pitch on LinkedIn in multiple spots. The conversation covers the LinkedIn headline, about section, and a recorded introduction. The LinkedIn conversation is preceded by a review of the workforce database O*Net and followed by this week’s listener question about what content to share in the body of the cover l...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we talk about how to give your elevator pitch in the summary section of your resume and answer a listener mail question about creating different resumes for different applications. We also review the resource of the day: VMock SMART Resume.  Topic #1: Rebecca discusses applicant tracking software or ATS and introduces a resource called VMock Smart R...

On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we interview Sheri Gross, the Veterans Services Manager at College of DuPage, who talks about tips for veterans during the job search process. We also discuss our resource of the day, Career Coach, and answer a listener mail question about how to approach an informational interview.  Topic #1: Pierre talks about the resource Career Coach and the many wa...

On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss how to create and share your Elevator Pitch as part of networking and your job search. We also talk about the Career and Self Development career competency and answer a listener mail question about improving yourself to improve your job search.  Topic #1: Michelle talks about the NACE competency, Career & Self-Development. Employers like...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss tips to help you search for internships. We also talk about using LinkedIn as an internship search tool and answer a listener mail question about becoming a competitive candidate without job experience.  Topic #1: Rebecca talks about how to use LinkedIn for your Internship Search, including updating your profile, using the alumni tool to...

In this episode, host Pierre Michiels interviews host Michelle Malik on her career path. Get to know one of our hosts better while learning about the different paths our careers can take us.   Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website . All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college , WIOA training programs , or other local suppor...

In this episode, host Rebecca Harrington interviews host Pierre Michiels on his career path. Get to know one of our hosts better while learning about the different paths our careers can take us.   Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website . All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college , WIOA training programs , or other local su...

In this episode, host Michelle Malik interviews host Rebecca Harrington on her career path. Get to know one of our hosts better while learning about the different paths our careers can take us.   Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website . All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college , WIOA training programs , or other local sup...

On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss how to enter the new year ready for the job search by updating your resume, polishing your interview skills, and refreshing your LinkedIn profile.  Topic #1: Michelle shares tips for updating your resume at the end of the year to be prepared for the coming year.  Topic #2: Pierre discussed reflecting on the past year to develop new stories to...

This episode of The Career Ready Podcast focuses on getting involved to have a positive impact on your job search. Jelymar Mejia, the Student Club Specialist with the Office of Student Life at College of DuPage shares her insight on how and why students should focus beyond their academics. We also talk about the value of developing leadership skills and answer a listener question about navigating...

This episode focuses on controlling your nerves during an interview. We hear from Hilary Chapa, an Administrative Assistant in Admissions & Outreach at the College of DuPage, who will share her tips and personal experiences with interviewing as well as how to keep calm during the interview process. We will also discuss the Career-Ready Competency of the Day: Communication and answer a listener...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss tips to help make the job search process less stressful. We also talk about using local job boards as a resource, including COD’s Chaps Get Hired and answer a listener mail question about disability disclosure.  Topic #1 : Learn about using Chaps Get Hired, the College of DuPage’s local job board with Michelle. Does your local college hav...

This episode of The Career Ready Podcast focuses on the job application process and how to make a positive impact as a job seeker. Amanda Whiddon, the Corporate and Executive Recruiter for Berman Auto Group shares her experience and insight regarding the applicant review process. We also talk about reflecting the skill and characteristics of professionalism in the job search and answer a listener...

On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss what transferable skills are and how they can be used during a job search and within the workplace. We also introduce a resource for job seekers with disabilities called AbilityLinks and hear from one of our listeners. Topic #1 - AbilityLinks Resource : Pierre introduces AbilityLinks , which is a resource for job seekers with disabilities. He...

In this first episode our three hosts Michelle, Pierre, and Rebecca introduce themselves and talk about what to expect from this career resource podcast. We start with a general overview of professional branding and what that really means to help launch your career. Next, we discuss the services of a career center and offer tips to access related resources. Finally, we answer a common question job...