Careers Unfiltered

Nick Colucci is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Publicis North America and Executive Chairman of Publicis Health, a major healthcare communications company. He received his B.S. in Neuroscience in 1981 and was also a football player and a brother of Delta Kappa Epsilon. Nick then went on to complete his MBA from Loyola University Maryland in 1990. Take a listen to hear Nick share how careers and life are not linear and how his professional life took him down many different paths. He explains the importance of trying new things to discover your passions and how it takes time to find what brings you joy. He share the power of meaningful relationships with people you meet along the way, from undergrad to the present, and a different way to be a part of the healthcare industry from a marketing and communications perspective.

Yashika Sharma is currently a second year PhD student in nursing at Columbia University with a focus on cardiovascular health in minority groups. She graduated from the University of Rochester in 2018 with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in computational biology and earned her Masters in nursing from Columbia University in 2020. She shares her experience as an international student navigating undergrad to graduate school and discovering which path to take in the medical field. As well as sharing some of her extracurricular activities and her work in on-campus labs and reminisced about some of her favorite study spots and places to check out in Rochester.

Oscar Lopez Hidalgo started playing squash when he was a kid in Mexico and fell in love with it. It influenced him to choose a college that offered squash and came to the University of Rochester where he earned his BS in Psychology in 2013. He completed his MS in Human Development from the Warner School of Education in 2016 and is now a Squash Professional at Genesee Valley Club and is also a volunteer Assistant Squash Coach at the U of R. Hear about Oscar's love for squash and how his passion for the sport became his career choice. Oscar shares the challenges of balancing being a student athlete and his experience as an international student at the U of R. He also shares some great recommendations for places that students can check out in Rochester.

Sofia Saravia is an Index Data Product Manager at Nasdaq working on identifying products that the company should build out. Sofia is an international student from Mexico who graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in Financial Economics and a minor in mathematics in 2016. She shares how she pursued both her artistic and creative passions along with her love for economics while in college. Sofia shares how she discovered her passion in product management and what that she is responsible for. She also provides tips on how she took ownership of her internship at Nasdaq that eventually led to a full-time offer.

Amina Shareef is a creative designer who has designed an undergraduate major and also her future career path. She graduated from the University of Rochester in 2019 with a double major in Digital Media Studies and a self-made major in Education and shares her excitement to be a guest on the podcast she helped in its infant stages. She continued her studies at Kent State University in Ohio to earn her MFA in Visual Communication Design where she also acted as an Adjunct Professor. Some of her career goals include working in the industry, eventually teaching at the college level, and perhaps even owning her own business. Meanwhile she is working for her father's business, freelancing, and creating drawings on her Instagram account @ handivity. Amina shares how all of her experiences link back to her portfolio, where she gets inspiration from, and how completing her masters during the pandemic was a different, but insightful experience.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away Steve Blank graduated from the University of Rochester in 2007 with a B.A. in Film and Media Studies with a concentration in post-production. During his time at Rochester, he also had the opportunity to study abroad in London! His career journey has taken him to Nickelodeon as a Coordinator and Manager in Marketing, working on shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Legend of Korra, some temp work, and eventually finding his passion at Lucasfilm where he is now the Director of Franchise Content and Strategy, working across teams and storylines. Steve shares how he's been able to find a community at Lucasfilm leading the Lucas Pride employee resource group, creating and supporting projects and initiatives he finds personally meaningful. He also explains how taking the time to discover his career path was full of important learning opportunities and the joy of finding a great place to work. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Professor Joanna Scott has been at the University of Rochester since 1987. She is the Roswell Burrows Smith Professor of English at the University of Rochester and the Director of the Literary Arts Program. In addition to teaching, she is also a critically acclaimed author of several novels and short stories. You may find her teaching courses in fiction writing and modern and contemporary literature. Tune in as Professor Scott discusses what it's like to have a career in writing, the importance of collaboration, and so much more.

Professor Danielle Presgraves is an Assistant Professor in the Biology department at the University of Rochester. You can find her teaching courses that she wish she could have taken in undergrad: Intro to Programming for Biologists and Biostatistics. Tune in as she shares her journey throughout her career as a first-generation college student hailing from Canada to finding her true passion at the intersection of math and biology. In addition, she shares how taking time before graduate school was helpful for her, gives advice on how to put your best application forward, and the power of saying "yes."

In this episode of our faculty series we have Professor Allen Topolski. Allen has been at the University of Rochester for over 25 years in the Art & Art History department. You can find him in courses like Markings, Methods, and Materials, Visual Production, and Senior Studio and Seminar. Tune in to hear how Allen found his passion of art and how he transformed it into a career to teach students to think creatively. He also shares his experience as a first-generation student, his favorite place in Rochester, and some advice you can apply to your own college experience.

Professor Pablo Sierra is an Associate Professor in the History Department and the Advisor for the Latin American Studies minor at the University of Rochester. You can find him teaching Colonial Latin America, Modern Latin America, History of Latin America through Soccer, and Captives: Past, Present, and Future. Tune in to hear how Professor Sierra discovered his love for history and how that became a source to explore Mexican history, culture, and language further. He shares his favorite part of being a professor (hint: the students!) and gives incredible advice on taking advantage of the different opportunities at the University of Rochester. He also dives into why students should attend office hours and a few of his favorite books!

Professor Greg Gdowski has nearly 30 years of biomedical engineering experience and is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rochester. He is also the Executive Director of the Center for Medical Technology & Innovation which is a program designed for master's students to foster new ideas at the intersection of medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Greg shares his experiences in both industry and academic settings and how choosing what do next is a difficult decision. He gives clear advice on how to negotiate for a higher salary and to set yourself up for success with the skills and knowledge made during your undergraduate career.

Welcome to the first episode of our special University of Rochester faculty series! We start with Professor Stephanie Ashenfelder who is currently the interim director of the Digital Media Studies program and the Program Advisor for Studio Art at the University of Rochester. Tune in to hear Stephanie share how she ended up in Rochester and how creativity can be applied across all fields. She also shares how when she was in college, a healthy dose of competition helped motivate and challenge her alongside her peers. Some of the courses that you can find her in are Introduction to Studio Art, Design Fundamentals, and the Digital Media Studies Senior Capstone.

Aron Levine graduated from the University of Rochester in 1993 as a double major in Economics and History. After he left Rochester he went to Rhode Island to join Fleet Financial Group and has been in the banking industry ever since. He is currently the President of Preferred and Consumer Banking & Investments at Bank of America, helping meet clients' needs while also creating lasting impact. Take a listen to this episode to hear some of Aron’s advice for making the most of your college days, ways you can prepare for life post-graduation, and how the banking industry is an important force for social good.

At the University of Rochester, Sarah was a college athlete in field hockey and graduated with a B.A. in Health Policy in 2013. She took time be a part of Americorps NCCC FEMA Corps Team in Mississippi for a year. She returned to Rochester to earn her Bachelors in Nursing in 2015 and is currently in the process of receiving her Masters in Public Health. She is also a Registered Nurse Care Manager at Accountable Health Partners in Rochester. Learn how Sarah stayed curious and connected her multiple past experiences and interests together to prepare her for a career in healthcare.

If you love learning about how people think and watching TV, then have you have ever considered a career that combines the two? Eric Steinberg graduated with a degree in psychology and a Certificate in Management in 1986 and made a career for himself in entertainment. He served as Senior Vice President of Research at CBS for 19 years and is currently Media Research and Insights Lead at Whip Media Group. Come find out how his psychology background served him in his entertainment roles, the behind the scenes data analysis to bring shows to life, and which major programs he was a part of while at CBS!

Alice Fornari is one of the many people who takes care of a museum's artifacts. She is a Collections Program Technician at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History where her undergraduate degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Studies and Masters in Museology and Museum Studies blend together perfectly. Take a listen to learn how she discovered the museum field as a career, how STEM and humanities can converge, and some fun and interesting stories from her time working at museums.

To start off Season 4 of Careers Unfiltered, we are welcoming our new student Co-Host, Casey Ryu! Casey is currently in the Class of 2022 as an e5 student where she is learning about entrepreneurship and business. She is double majoring in Linguistics and Archaeology, Technology, and Historical Structures with a Certificate in Community-Engaged Learning. She shares her perspective on career building as a student and a wide variety of life experiences from archaeological digs, internships in museums, and study abroad to being the oldest daughter. So take a listen to welcome and meet our new student Co-Host!

The final episode of Season 3 is with the one and only Bryce Davis. Bryce has served as one of the brains and voices behind Careers Unfiltered and will be sorely missed as the Co-Host. He graduated in May 2020 with a degree in Economics and Music, hoping to pursue a career in artistic management. Listen as he reflects on his time at the University of Rochester and his overwhelming love for the Midnight Ramblers, music, and his time at the Greene Center. Bryce also shares what he's learned about himself from his education, experiences, and friendships over the past four years and his hopes for music to continue into his professional life.

Join Bryce as he talks with Mitch Gruber who received his PhD in History from the University of Rochester in 2016. Mitch reflects on how he ended up back in his hometown of Rochester to pursue his doctoral work after some time in South Africa during his undergraduate career at SUNY Binghamton and his journey to his present job. He is currently the Chief Program Officer at Foodlink, a nonprofit that distributes food to partners within the upstate NY region and serves as a Rochester NY City Councilmember. In this episode, Mitch shares how the skills he learned working towards his PhD prepared him for the workforce and how every experience was valuable to his professional development. He also describes what it's like to work in the nonprofit sector, his passion for the Rochester community, and his work towards a more equitable food system. www.mitchgruber.com

Jeremy Saucier graduated from the University of Rochester in 2010 with a PhD in History and received his bachelor's degree in American Studies from Wesleyan University. He was motivated in his job search post-graduation and by luck stumbled upon an opportunity at the Strong Museum of Play. He has now "leveled up" and holds the position of Assistant Vice President for Interpretation and Electronic Games. Listen to Jeremy's journey pursuing a doctorate degree, the experiences that prepared him for his current job, his first experience at the Strong Museum of Play, and the honest struggles of the job search. He also shares the power of mentorship and keeping an open mind to unexpected opportunities that come by.

Judy Ricker received her bachelor's in Music Education in 1976 and her master's in Musical Arts and Performance and Literature in 1981 from the Eastman School of Music. She continued her education at the Simon School of Business where she earned her MBA in 1991. Judy has spent her career working within both the music and business industries. She started off performing in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and then went on to work at Kodak and other corporations to do brand research. Currently, Judy is a brand and research consultant and also teaches oboe at Nazareth College and a course for Eastman's newest master's program: Master of Arts in Music Leadership. Take a listen to Judy's wide range of experiences and her advice for students and alumni. She shares what to do when changing careers, the importance of recognizing transferable skills in any industry, and the overlapping qualities between music and business.

This is a very special episode with two guests: Dr. Louis Kuchnir, dermatologist at Kuchnir Dertmatology, and Vanessa Cedarbaum, a 2015 University of Rochester alum with a BS in Microbiology. Take a listen to hear Dr. Kuchnir share what he looks for in a successful gap year applicant and what students can gain from a gap year. You'll also hear a student perspective from Vanessa who took a gap year at Kuchnir Dermatology after completing her undergraduate degree. She shares what motivated her to apply and how it prepared her for medical school as a current third year medical school student at Rutgers University. She also shares the wonderful relationships she made and skills she learned. To learn more about the Kuchnir Dermatology Gap Year Program, visit: https://www.kuchnirdermatology.com/gapyear

Jeff Tyzik graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a degree in Bachelor of Music in 1973 and later received a Masters of Music in 1977. He shares how his education at Eastman informed his work ethic throughout his life and the beginnings of his career from teaching to performing on stage. Today he is now the Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and other orchestras across the USA. He shares how his career has expanded to producing albums and writing music that combines different genres. In this episode he shares the phenomenal power of music that transcends language, political divisions, and connects people from all walks of life.

Kevin Brown graduated from the University of Rochester in 2014 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. During his time at Rochester, Kevin kept busy both academically and socially. He was the President of the Black Students' Union (BSU), an AIChE member, a member of Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, and a Kearns Scholar. Kevin always knew he wanted to study STEM and took advantage of the research opportunities during undergrad to learn if it was the right fit for him. As a Development Engineer for NOHMs Technologies, he comments on the importance of soft skills, not just technical skills for STEM positions. He also shares how valuable it is to be coachable when applying for jobs and to excel in your role.

Get psyched to hear from Dr. Michelle Zaso, a T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions at University at Buffalo! During her time at University of Rochester she received her B.S. in Neuroscience in 2012 and went on to receive her PhD at Syracuse University. Learn how she found her passion in clinical psychology and her current interdisciplinary research in addictions. Michelle shares tips on how to find the best match for graduate school, explains the Psychology Match process, and shares a day in the life of a clinical psych researcher.

Celena Evans graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1996 and went on to continue her engineering education at Georgia Tech, and then received her MBA from Emory University. Celena has had a range of experience in consulting, business, project management, and other industries. In 2009, She was named "Top 40 Under 40" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle! Today, she works in real estate in Atlanta at Keller Williams where her skills and past experiences align with one another. Celena shares how networking has influenced her career more than once and has helped her hone in on where she can thrive. She also gives advice on how to reevaluate your professional life when it doesn't match your expectations.

Tom Kraus '05 '07MS is currently a Project Engineer and Lead Image Scientist at L3 Harris. Despite his STEM heavy background, Tom shares the value of interdisciplinary study in the humanities and social sciences he learned from his Take 5 year at the University of Rochester. Tom also discusses the importance of work life balance after college and how teaching has prepared him for his current job. Come listen to hear about his unique experiences, his 6 years at the University of Rochester, career advice for students, and how he applies the skills he learned from his various classes to his professional life.

We're kicking off Season 3 of Careers Unfiltered with a very special guest, Mary Ellen Burris, who graduated from the Warner School of Education in 1968. She recently retired from her role at Wegmans as Senior Vice President of Consumer Affairs after 49 years. Often referred to as "the Voice of the Customer", Mary Ellen's work emphasized the importance of focusing on customers' needs in multidepartmental efforts within Wegmans. Tune in to learn more about her early career journey, what it was like to work at Wegmans as the company grew, the benefits from her time at Warner, and her career advice for students.

Mingjian Zhang received his BA in Digital Media Studies from the University of Rochester in 2017. He is currently a TOEFL instructor for New Oriental Education & Technology Group in Shenzhen, China. Join us as Mingjian shares how COVID-19 has impacted his industry and some advice he has for students hoping to work in Education.

Yukako Ito graduated from the University of Rochester in 2017 with a BA in Computer Science with minors in Business and Dance. She has since relocated to Tokyo, Japan and is a Market Data Specialist for Bloomberg LP. Tune in as we capture Yukako's perspective on how COVID-19 has impacted her industry.

Mike McCormick graduated from the University of Rochester in 2004 and is the Director of Capital Markets at Ygrene Energy Fund. In this episode, we learn more about Mike's work and how COVID-19 has disrupted his industry. He also shares lessons he learned while transitioning from Bear Stearns & Co. to Ambac during the Great Recession in 2008-2009.

For our latest Industry Miniseries conversation, we had the pleasure of speaking with two University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry graduates and life-partners, Dr. Jim Musser ’88MD, ’88M (PhD) and Dr. Camille Leugers ’88M (MD),’91M (Res). As the Chair of the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine and the Director of the Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research at Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Musser's work has been consumed by the recent pandemic of COVID-19. In an effort to treat COVID-19 patients, the team at Houston Methodist was the first in the nation to test an experimental blood transfusion therapy. Dr. Camille Leugers has also seen first-hand the impacts of COVID-19 as a family physician and faculty member of the brand new University of Houston College of Medicine which will welcome their first class in July of 2020. Tune in as they reminisce about their time at URMC, discuss how this recent pandemic has impacted the medical field and what things may look like going forward, and advice that they have for students.

Rosanna Moore is a freelance musician from the UK who attended Eastman School of Music where she recieved her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Harp Performance. She teaches Harp performance at Nazareth College and Eastman Community Music School, performs as a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and keeps herself busy with various gigs. Join us as we learn more about how COVID-19 has disrupted her industry and what advice she has for getting through this time.

Adam London graduated from the University of Rochester in 1989 with a B.A. in Economics. Flash forward to today and he works in the sports media space as the SVP of Business Development for CBS Sports Digital. Tune in as Adam shares what it has been like being in the sports industry without live sports, how COVID-19 has impacted his work, and advice he has for students.

Sean Foote is a University of Rochester parent who has been a venture capitalist for the last 20 years. He is also a professor at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley where he teaches venture capital and private equity. Join us as we pick Sean's brain and hear his perspective on the impact of COVID-19 and what the future may hold.

David Fang graduated with his bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester in 2005. He then continued his education at Rochester and went on to receive his master's and PhD in electrical engineering. David is currently working as an Engineering Program Manager at Apple. Tune in as Danae and Joe chat with David to get his perspective on the impact of COVID-19 within his industry and some advice he has for current students.

The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections

The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections

Additional resources:The Jed FoundationCrisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections

Start-up culture is so hot right now. LinkedIn is full of venture capitalists and young entrepreneurs sharing their insights, and plenty of people are launching their own businesses. As a New Venture Specialist at NextCorps, Devin Sandon '14 recruits, supports, and develops clean tech startups. This means that he has the difficult task of, as he puts it, "separating the wheat from the chaff." How do you sniff out a successful start-up? What tips does Devin have for interested engineers? Tune in to find out on this week's episode!

Sometimes in life, obstacles to our goals can petrify us. David Cota-Buckhout, a Career Advisor in the Greene Center, says that we have to push through anyway. Whether it means trusting a decision or fighting for a cause you believe in, the most important thing is to trust yourself and know your voice matters. As a person with a disability, he has pushed boundaries and fought to increase understanding and accessibility at the university. In this episode, David draws upon his experiences at Cornell University, the Greene Center, and as an advocate within UR to convey a compelling call to action for all of us.

As an Associate Brand Manager at CooperVision, Brie Trout '09 '12S knows a thing or two about seeing the big picture. Her studies in Anthropology and Economics, paired with her Simon MBA, give her a unique way of viewing the world. Put on some goggles and dive into marketing and advertising in this episode of Careers Unfiltered.

The ivory tower can be a bit intimidating at times, especially for those who don't see themselves reflected in the institution. As Director of Multicultural Programs & Services at SUNY Geneseo, Dr. Sasha Eloi-Evans works to ensure that all feel welcomed and supported in academia. She also spent nearly a decade at the University of Rochester, working in both the Office of Minority Student Affairs and Department of Linguistics. Tune in this week to hear Sasha discuss the roots of her interest in linguistics, what the climb to higher ed administration is like, and the importance of support and inclusion.

Are you looking to hop into the world of law after graduation? If so, Annie Modica '12 has some advice for you! Between her time at the University at Buffalo School of Law, where she was an editor of the Buffalo Law Review, to private litigation, to clerking for a District judge, she's had a winding path in her five years since graduation. Listen in to hear what she has to say for potential future lawyers!

Overseeing a team of engineers isn't an easy job. Balancing support needs, new projects, and maintenance of code means lots of moving parts. As a Software Architect at Alstom Signaling, Ed Laird '08 endorses relentless positivity and self-care as key to happiness both in the workplace and out. Hear him talk about that as well as his path to management with Danae and guest host Joe Testani this week!

Welcome back to another episode of Careers Unfiltered! This week, Bryce and Danae had the pleasure of speaking with Emily Hessney Lynch who is the founder of Serve Me the Sky Digital (@servemethesky) and the Director of I Heart ROC (@i.heart.roc). Emily graduated from the University of Rochester in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in American History and English Literature. Shortly after, she went on the receive a master's degree from the Warner School of Education. Since completing her education, she has worked hard at building a strong network and reputation within the Rochester community. Tune in as they discuss her transition to self-employment, personal branding, the power of authenticity, and so much more!

Welcome back for Season 2 of Careers Unfiltered! To kick off the season, we have a guest who's had her fair share of "high-powered" roles, as she puts it, between the American Journal of Human Genetics, Booz Allen Hamilton, and UR Medical Center - now she's a 7th Grade science teacher at a suburban Rochester middle school. How and why did she make that seemingly drastic change? Are those roles really so different? Find out on this week's episode!

Listen up, humanities students! Kayoung Kim '22 worked at Open Letter Books, a literary translation and publishing house, as part of the Humanities for Life program offered at the University of Rochester. This program is a great opportunity for any student with an interest in non-profits, and partners students with Rochester area humanities organizations for paid summer internships! Tune in to hear more about Kayoung's experience with Humanities for Life!