We tell stories featuring alumni and friends of the university that are out in the real world, working hard, finding great success and also learning from mistakes. If you’re a student or alum listening to the podcast for the first time, we hope that the stories and advice you hear on the podcast bri…
Longwood Alumni & Career Services
This two-part story dives into the journeys of two different women on the path to become published writers. Jenny Hale '98 and Molly Odell '76tell their stories from leaving the campus of Longwood and starting careers in fields far from being authors and poets respectively.
In this episode of DAG, we're featuring two stories from Longwood alumni both of whom spent time in Africa and had fascinating experiences that shaped their lives and careers. For both Anna Prow '88 and Alexandra Kenny South '97, their professional journeys began in remote African communities. Their work building relationships with local leaders and resolve to help address challenges changed Anna and Alexandra's lives forever.
On this episode “Resilience” two Longwood alumni started out on a path in life and had an event take place that truly altered their lives. But that didn't stop them, both turned their very tragic personal experiences into an opportunity to make the world a better place. Have a listen to this episode of Day After Graduation featuring stories from Katie Putnam '11 and Candice Parsley '12. If you want to find out more information about the Eliza Hope Foundation or Cowgirls For a Cure, follow the links below. Eliza Hope Foundation: https://elizahope.org/ Cowgirls for a Cure: https://sites.google.com/view/cfaccowgirls/about-us
In Part 2 of “Stay or Go,” listeners will return to the story of Amelia Erickson and Makayla Hostetter, both Class of 2019. They’re best friends and decided to go on an adventure to live and teach in rural Quinhagak, Alaska. Their village is in an incredibly remote location which has many implications. In this episode, Amelia and Makayla weigh the good and the not-so-good aspects of their experience in Alaska. While they’ve made progress teaching students, it’s freezing cold, crazy remote, surprisingly expensive, and other factors all play into whether to stay and teach another year. Find out whether Amelia and Makayla decide to Stay or Go on this episode of Day After Graduation. (edited)
Right off the bat, episode 4 plunges into the adventurous lives of Longwood Alumni, Amelia Erickson ’19 and Makayla Hostetter ’19. After they graduated, these courageous women embarked on the experience of a lifetime when they headed to a remote village, Quinhagak, Alaska, for their first year of teaching.
Season 3 Episode 3, “Searching”, tells the stories of two Longwood alumni who reconnected with family members and how these encounters shaped and inspired them as individuals. In this two-act episode, Producer Megan Wilson interviews Dr. Donna Gibson from the class of 1972 and Tom Harrison from the class of 1989. Both of these Longwood alumni demonstrate resilience as they embrace vulnerability and share their unique stories of how they sought out answers to meaningful and impactful questions in their life that were left unanswered.
During this two-act episode, the audience follows producer Megan Wilson to a tattoo shop in Richmond, VA and a distillery in Outer Banks, NC to talk with Longwood graduates, Deanna Carwile ’17 and Scott Smith ’05 about the roadblocks that they have faced and overcome in their careers since graduating.
In this three-act episode, Ryan and Paige hear from Katrina Goodman’s experience in law enforcement, specifically her participation in an undercover operation immediately after completing graduate school at Longwood University. As Goodman introduces her story, before diving deep into it in act three, her unique experiences reveal varying aspects of the law enforcement profession. In act two, Ryan attends Longwood’s Law Enforcement career fair where he interviews employers, students, and faculty members.
Coming to your favorite podcast app on March 11!
Ariella is back with a mini-series we're calling Hiring Intelligence. We're doing the recon so you don't have to. In this episode, Ariella is chatting with Emily Connor, a recruiter from Parallon, which is a healthcare business & operational services provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. We're going to chat with her about her company, what it's like to work there, and how to land an opportunity there.
Ariella is back with a mini-series we're calling Hiring Intelligence. We're doing the recon so you don't have to. In this episode, Ariella is chatting with Chris Leone, the President of WebStrategies Inc., which is a digital marketing firm based in Virginia. We're going to chat with him about his company, what it's like to work there, and how to land an opportunity there.
In this episode of “Hiring Intelligence,” Ariella is chatting with Makenzie Shearson, a college recruiter from Kearney & Company, which is a CPA firm based in Virginia. We're going to chat with her about her company, what it's like to work there, and how to land an opportunity there.
Ariella is back with a mini-series we're calling Hiring Intelligence. We're doing the recon so you don't have to. In this episode, Ariella is chatting with Sarah Graves, the Office Manager at WellsColeman, which is a CPA firm based in Richmond, Virginia.
Ariella is back with a mini-series we're calling Hiring Intelligence. We're doing the recon so you don't have to. In its debut episode Ariella is I’m chatting with Annissa Powell a Talent Acquisition Specialist from MBP, which is a construction engineering consulting firm based in Virginia.
In this episode of DAG, our final in Season 2, we explore what it's like to join the force... the police force that is. Producer Maura Mazurowski shares the story of Longwood alumni Mark Jamison '13, a Major in the Lynchburg, Virginia Police Dept. and a harrowing night early in his career that shaped the future. Also, Marilyn Durham '05 shares the challenges of being a working mom while adjusting to life as a police offer on her way to becoming a Detective.
We return this week to the story of Amy Bradley '96 and her disappearance from the cruise ship she was vacationing with her family in March of 1998. In this episode we explore what happened after she went missing in the days, weeks, and years following her disappearance. There have been multiple sightings of Amy over the years, and producer Ryan Catherwood traveled to FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC. to ask Special Agent Erin Sheridan about those stories, and what, if anything can be done to help in the search.
Twenty years ago, Longwood alum Amy Bradley '96 disappeared early one morning from the cruise ship on which she was vacationing with her family. In the years following her disappearance, there have been multiple sightings and continued investigations into here whereabouts. In this first of two episodes of DAG, we explore the mystery of what happened to Amy beginning with the 24 hours before and after she went missing. Producer Ryan Catherwood spoke with Amy's brother Brad, and FBI Special Agent Erin Sheridan who is currently assigned to the case.
A special DAG podcast episode this week! We share the full length interview with Hannah Kearney, three-time Winter Olympian and winner of both gold and bronze medals as she shares her exciting story with producer Ryan Catherwood. In this hour long interview, hear exactly what Hannah's rise to the top of her sport was like in becoming the top moguls skier on the planet. Listeners will enjoy hearing what it's like for some Olympic athletes after retirement and the challenges of heading back to college to prepare for whatever comes next. Hannah’s edited story was in the episode “Big Fish, Small Pond.”
In this episode of DAG, Brian Plum '02 travels to Poland and Slovakia for adventure and gets enlightened while hanging out with members of the local communist party. Our Act 2 story is all about Russia and what it's like to be stationed in the U.S. Embassy as a member of the foreign service. Thomas Moran '83 shares his remarkable experiences. Thanks for listening, sharing, and subscribing to the show!
What's it like going back to college after winning both gold and bronze medals in two Winter Olympic games and being world champion multiple times over? Three-time Olympian in moguls skiing Hannah Kearney shares her unique story to the top and what it's been like now a retired thirty-something about to graduate. Then hear Carnival Cruise ship leader performer Katelyn Stillman '08 describe being a celebrity each week to vacationing guests but with dreams for a bigger future. Both stories are on this week's episode of Day After Graduation podcast from Longwood University in Virginia.
It's #LoveYourLongwood Day! Be sure to make a gift of any amount to Longwood on March 27, 2018 and show your support for citizen leadership. In this episode of Day After Graduation we're talking about Business Takeovers. Sometimes the two principals or owners of a business don't see eye-to-eye about the future. In other circumstances, a large corporate "Satan" might buy out a smaller company and pursue big profits. Hear stories this week from Emily Baird '11 and Gabrielle Pedro Fredrick '14.
Getting ahead and reaching goals is all about going the Extra Mile. In this episode of DAG, alums Avanell Schmitz Scales '08 trains for the U.S. National Cyclocross Championship and Natalie Joseph '16 is surprised when a small gesture turns into a big deal during her job search. Find out how the stars align for Avanell and Natalie as they push to accomplish important goals. Will there be champagne? Thanks for listening, sharing, and subscribing.
Social work is without question a very emotionally challenging profession. In this episode of the Day After Graduation podcast, alums Anna Hardin '01 and Emily Russell '15 share their thoughts, feelings, trials and tribulations as they've worked to help the people in their case files. Hear more about their work as both Emily and Anna navigate through the challenges of communicating with clients dealing with abusive relationships, difficult home lives, and the mental toll this can have on their own psyche. This episode contains some adult content and might not be suitable for young listeners.
An entrepreneurial spirit can manifest itself in lots of forms. Whether it's a new business or big event, building most anything is stressful, but the result can be life changing for everyone involved. In this episode of DAG, we connect with Thomas Welker '13 who built a small business as an online retailer. Then we head to the tiny Pacific island nation of Tonga where James Barbour '05 helped built a yachting festival complete with Full Moon Party. Find out what happens!
Sometimes things at work start to turn toxic and this change can be wholly unexpected. Sometimes there might be an inkling from Day 1. On this episode of the Day After Graduation podcast, our Season 2 premier, we're sharing stories of when things go wrong. Both stories are from education environments. The podcast co-hosts for this season are Longwood Director of Career Services Brian Rose ’11 and The Rotunda Editor-in-Chief Halle Parker ’18, who help draw out the stories of the featured guests. Producer Ryan Catherwood shares a crazy story told by his brother-in-law, and Oscar Gonzalez '07 tells an eye-opening experience from previous employer.
It's Commencement time again. Each year around this time, graduates line-up to celebrate their academic achievements and become alumni. Unfortunately, too many new graduates don't understand how the hiring process works, and how to get an edge. Many young alums find themselves applying to hundreds of jobs with little response from employers. In this Bonus episode, we talk with John Hill, Network Catalyst at Techstars and former Higher Education Evangelist at Linkedin, along with several Longwood alumni to share how targeting specific companies and building a network of referrals is the secret to landing a great job right out of college.
A dream job isn’t just a dream. Hear stories from two women who achieved their dreams by doing whatever it takes - from sleeping in your car to changing career paths. Producer of this American Life, Zoe Chace shares her experiences being a ‘rah rah’ at college to making it as a producer for NPR’s Planet Money, and This American Life. Abby Frank Sorese ‘12 explains how one class at Longwood can change your life - how the History of Rock can lead to being the stage and production manager for Circ Du Soleil.
We took a trip up to the big apple to spend a day with Allie Shulman ‘13 as we explored her adventures with Sofar Sounds (a pretty awesome startup - sharing secret gigs and artists for a more intimate scene) and discovering her true identity as a member of the gay community in New York City. Listen as Bryan Rose ‘11 joins the team and we do our best to seem like locals as we trekked the streets of Brooklyn.
9 years in future division golf. Living out of your car from tournament to tournament. Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t the glamourous life of a professional athlete you’d expect. Listen as Charlaine Hirst ‘95 finds her calling (and a husband) during her quest for LPGA qualification and Zack Mahon ‘12 tests his skills (and resistance to cold weather) on a 4th Division German soccer league. Both alumni prove their skills as they try to make it big as a professional athlete.
What’s a good way to get targeted for arrest while teaching English in China? What’s it like when your host family in Kyrgyzstan asks you for money and your computer? In this week’s episode “Abroad for Education”, these questions were not the ones initially considered by our guests on today’s episode before they signed-up to live and teach in other countries. Professor Jeff Halliday of Longwood’s Dept. of Communication Studies and Taylor Southall ’13 found plenty of adventure and surprise. Traveling abroad after graduation can be the learning experience of a lifetime. Partnering with non-government organizations like the Peace Corps can provide rich international experiences while making a positive impact on the lives of students and communities.
Life after college doesn’t always go as planned. There’s no ‘road map’ or guidelines as to what life is supposed to look like post-college, rather adjusting to the changes and speed bumps along the way. In this episode, we share three stories of total chaos, starting with Catherine Byers Breet ‘93 as she takes us through her journey as a brand new flight attendant with some (literally) bumpy circumstances. Host Ryan Catherwood goes back to one of his first jobs after college to speak with his old boss - and asks why he was let go! Finally, Kirsten Gaines ‘15 shares her experiences buying, crashing, and navigating life as a new car owner.
Wildlife There are many paths to success after college. For some alumni, the years immediately after graduation present at great opportunity to try something different. In this episode, we explore seasonal work in Alaska with Jennie Wysong ‘10. Jennie shares her experiences which also includes a few encounters with local wildlife. Mary Alice Colo ‘65 went to Yellowstone National Park for the summer after she graduated. Her adventure includes “bear jams” while working in the small village of Fishing Bridge.
According to the National Restaurant Association, almost 1/2 of all adults got their start with a job waiting tables or washing dishes in a restaurant. For some new graduates, a job in a restaurant is the popular job to make the transition from college to career. But restaurant work can also be a career, intended or not. Chris Campanella started his career at Morton’s Steakhouse and is now a Sommelier and Server at Edo Squid in Richmond. Hear from Jess Bufford owner of four restaurants in Richmond and Washington, D.C. about her start and what it’s like be an entrepreneur in the restaurant business.
When most people think about the music business the big names and commercial successes come to mind. But that’s just a small fraction of those that make a living playing music, and an even smaller percentage of those that try to enter the industry but come up short. In this episode called “Encore,” we interview Pat McGee, a popular musician who attended Longwood in the late 90’s. Pat describes getting started and getting a chance to play for President Clinton. Hear from Geoff Bakel, a drummer who quit his job as a financial analyst to tour with his rock band for four years, and from Joel Wofford ‘17 as he plans his path to music success after college.
Getting started in financial services means accessing an individual’s “natural market.” Each one of us possesses a network of relationships including relatives, friends, neighbors and acquaintances, through which new financial services representatives seek to establish a client base. In this episode, hear from Longwood alums Dale Baake ‘07, Cory Nichols ‘08, MBA ‘10, and Clay Eanes ‘16 as they describe the challenging reality of accessing their natural markets and getting started in this popular yet demanding profession.