How Did You End Up There?

Meet Andrew.After graduating with a Journalism degree from the University of Oregon, Andrew hit the freelancing circuit. He collected skills in content design and structuring, editorial strategy, user experience design, writing and editing, and front-end development and design, combining them all into a content strategy career.You can learn more about Andrew and get in touch with him at andrewnhem.com.

Meet Valorie.What started as a passion project is now a fully operational nonprofit known as GoFundBean. As the marketing director, Valorie gets to combine her deep knowledge of coffee with her talents for writing and connecting people.You can follow Valorie on Instagram at @thevalorieclark and sign up for her newsletter Collected Rejections.

Meet Berrak.Berrak Sarikaya has one of those jobs that might make you ask yourself… what does that mean? But then when she explains it to you, it all makes sense.After coming of age on the internet, Berrak found her niche working in the (mostly) business-to-business content marketing space.

Meet Shreyas.Shreyas Patel got started in hospitality when his dad spontaneously bought a hotel when he was growing up.Fast forward a decade or two and Shreyas is running a hospitality company that buys, renovates, and operates nearly a dozen properties across the central United States.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/president-coo-of-a-hospitality-companyInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Caroline.Caroline Ouwerkerk helps Millennials who are feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or just plain miserable in their current jobs.After years spent in higher education, Caroline stepped out on her own to create valuable resources for those looking for them.As a career & confidence coach, Caroline works with high-achieving professionals to help them navigate career changes, overcome imposter syndrome, and make an impact through 1:1 coaching, online courses, and live events.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-millennial-career-confidence-coachInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Jim.Otherwise known as my dad!He spent his career in the corporate world as an environmental lawyer and an EHS executive. He climbed the proverbial ladder, worked at the same company for more than 20 years, and retired at 55.But it doesn't end there!Looking for some way to spend his retirement, he enrolled in an EMT course at a local community college. That started him down the path of emergency medicine and now he's a critical care paramedic. He also wrote a book about his experience working at music festivals, which is… a trip.In this episode, we look back at his corporate life and discuss how he ended up spending his retirement riding in ambulances.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-retired-lawyer-working-as-a-critical-care-paramedic-in-retirementInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Cait.In this episode, Cait & I discuss her career aspirations and how she ended up with her first book deal. Plus, she talks about what was different about writing her second book, and what the future might have in store.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-canadian-writer-best-selling-author-of-two-booksInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Amber.In this episode, Amber discusses how she made it through the recession, all the intentional (& not-so-intentional) decisions she's made so far, and what it's been like to transition to a new job in the midst of a pandemic.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-senior-business-analyst-at-an-asset-management-firmInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Katie.Armed with the security of an emergency fund & the determination to find a strong cultural fit at her next company, Katie hit the job market.Thirty-two job applications later, she accepted her new role at a global manufacturing company.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-digital-marketing-specialist-at-a-global-manufacturing-companyInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com 

Meet Casi.After moving to Colorado, Casi  discovered her niche as a private chef and Casi's Kitchen was born.In this episode, Casi walks us through her dramatic pivot to chef life and inspires us with stories of her world travels.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-private-chef-owner-of-casis-kitchenInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Shannon.Though she was briefly tempted to go all-in on an ice cream career at the famed Penn State Creamery, Shannon found her calling as a therapeutic activities services professional at a long-term care facility.And if you're unsure what that job even is, you definitely need to listen. LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-therapeutic-activities-services-manager-at-a-long-term-care-facilityInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Jay.By day, Jay works in cybersecurity. But by night, and in his free time, he has a variety of interests, side hustles, and income streams.After discovering cybersecurity in college, Jay strategically navigated several promotions to climb the ranks quickly.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-cybersecurity-manager-with-multiple-income-streamsInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Allie.She began her career at Goldman Sachs working in risk, efficiency, and project management before finding her way to design. In this episode, we talk about what UX even is and how to create a Board of Directors for your life.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-senior-ux-design-consultant-who-left-wall-street-behindInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Betty.As the Executive Director of the Hillvets Foundation, Betty oversees the organization's mission to serve the community of veterans, servicemembers, and supporters in our Nation's Capitol.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/an-executive-director-of-a-nonprofit-serving-the-veteran-communityInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Nina.When Nina moved to London a few years ago, she struggled with sleep. As she began to investigate the causes and solutions for insomnia, she discovered the impact that fabric can have on sleep quality.Finding a gap in the market, Nina founded Nightire with the goal of marrying functional fabrics with beautiful designs, all in pursuit of a good night's sleep.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-fashion-entrepreneur-founder-of-sleepwear-brand-nightireInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Molly.She thought she wanted to be in public policy until she realized the impact she could have as a physician — so she faced her fears (chemistry) and applied to medical school.Now as a third year med student, she's beginning to treat patients and feels more confident than ever that she made the right choice… even if it took a few tries to get there.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-public-health-professional-currently-enrolled-in-medical-schoolInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Christie.Christie was diagnosed with leukemia at 27 years old, completely flipping her life upside down. Her career and plans were put on hold as she battled cancer, beating it once only for it to return again and again.Now with a clean bill of health, Christie shares what life looks like while you're recovering from cancer - in the middle of a pandemic - and some ideas on what her future holds.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/sales-professional-who-beat-cancer-three-timesInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet James.James is a 12-year veteran of the IT consulting world, climbing the ranks of the company he's been working with since he started in the industry.In this episode, he explains what his job even is, gives us a technical education about streaming APIs, tells the story of how his career almost ended before it even began, and discusses the one upside of being on the road so much.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-senior-tech-consultant-balanced-perspective-on-work-lifeInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Hascy.An introductory class in college unearthed her passion for art history and opened the door for a very art-filled career. Armed with an Art History degree and a passion for people, Hascy set off into the world of auction houses and art galleries.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/an-art-gallery-director-in-the-rural-northeastInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Heather.After navigating a few seemingly disconnected jobs early in her career — resume writer, technical spec writer, & personal trainer to name a few — Heather returned to school and earned her Master of Public Health degree. Upon graduation, she entered the world of public relations, working primarily with healthcare and pharmaceutical clients.She's recently taken a break to spend time with her son and figure out her next move(s).LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-pr-professional-who-left-her-job-to-be-a-temporary-sahmInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Itiah.Itiah moved from the USA to Australia without having a job lined up or local network, and after a 18 month sabbatical landed a job in her industry with more money & seniority.Yet after 10 years in the commercial construction project management industry it was time for a change so she could live a more aligned lifestyle. She started nearly from scratch, invested in herself & moved to a new, foreign city to complete a professional leap into tech as a User Experience Design Consultant.She is also an entrepreneur, pursuing multiple ideas and passions.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/an-entrepreneur-american-expat-building-a-life-in-australiaInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Alex.Alex wanted to be a pharmacist, but pivoted after organic chemistry kicked her butt. So instead she turned her passion for “the green stuff” (not a euphemism) into a teaching career, educating teenage minds about flowers, plants, and careers in agriculture.We get a little silly in this episode, and Alex generously puts up with my extremely limited plant knowledge. (Chlorophyll! Photosynthesis!)LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-high-school-agriculture-teacher-with-a-passion-for-plantsInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Maxie.Maxie got her start at a call center before accepting a role in local government. When she moved to DC to work for a PR software company, she discovered her passion for customer support. After years in support, working her way up from a support rep to support manager, she transitioned into a program manager role.In this episode, she shares the lessons she's learned over the years and offers words of wisdom to fellow managers and managers-to-be.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: https://www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-program-manager-leveraging-a-decade-of-customer-supportInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Matt.After spending nearly a decade as a journalist covering all types of news, Matt left the newsroom and pivoted into the nonprofit sector. Now, as a communications associate, he puts his writing and storytelling skills to use in a new way: supporting the people of Alabama on a state and local level.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: www.howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/a-journalist-turned-nonprofit-communications-associateInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

Meet Abigail.Abigail Koffler is a Millennial freelance writer and the founder of This Needs Hot Sauce, a food newsletter she first started as a hobby in 2017. After being laid off from her nonprofit job in 2018, she dove into the world of freelance writing without missing a beat. Now a full-time writer, her work has been published by Eater, Bustle, Food & Wine, and Forbes.In this episode, we talk about her lifelong interest in food, how she navigated a huge career pivot early on, and the lessons she learned while working internationally.LOOKING FOR MORE?Show Notes: howdidyouendupthere.com/podcast-episodes/founder-this-needs-hot-sauceInstagram: @howdidyouenduptherepodContact: howdidyouenduptherepod@gmail.com

There are some incredible guests lined up for Season One who have been generous enough to share their career story so far, and I am so excited to introduce them to you every week.The show officially goes live in October, so please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast source for podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also follow the show on Instagram at @howdidyouenduptherepod, and learn more about each guest at howdidyouendupthere.com. Fun Jenn Fact: I was voted “most talkative” in the yearbook superlatives more than once so I could keep going, but since this is just the intro episode, I'm going to shut up & let the episodes to the rest of the talking!See you in October!