Frank conversations to help you take control of your career.
Going beyond resumes, interviews, and cover letters, each conversation brings a unique perspective on relevant topics for you and your professional development.
Presented by Pepsi, Career Conversations is produced by the University of Washington Alumni Association.
Learn more: https://www.washington.edu/alumni/career-conversations/
S4Ep1: How AI is revolutionizing professional development and job search strategies
Vina Pilolomari explores how AI is transforming career navigation with industry expert Sharan Jamiani, head of product at Yoodly, revealing the key to leveraging AI for job searches and professional development.
9 Jan 2025
S4Ep2: Job compensation and terms: Negotiation strategies to help you be your own best advocate
Career expert Nidhi Kumar and industry insider Nayoung Miller Vaughn share negotiation strategies for effective self-advocacy and transparency in the professional world.
9 Jan 2025
S4Ep3: Your financial wellbeing: Tips on owning your financial future
Financial coach Karen Zukaitis joins Anders to reveal practical strategies for alleviating financial anxiety and taking control of one's financial future.
19 Dec 2023
S3 Ep3: Resilience and Well-Being: An Overview of Skills and Practices for Building Resilience in the Workplace
with Megan Kennedy and Gina Topp
UW Resilience Lab director Megan Kennedy talks us through skills and practices for promoting resilience and well-being from the individual to the organizational level.
Megan Kennedy is the director of the UW Resilience Lab. As a leader and facilitator, Kennedy aims to build healthy and compassionate learning communities. From engaging stakeholders in vision-setting to partnering with students, staff and instructors, her approach to leadership centers on collaborative relationships. She believes that building high-quality wellness and educational programs requires teamwork at every level. Currently, Kennedy is developing and evaluating systems-based approaches to well-being that combines applied research, education and collaborative programming across three University of Washington campuses. This includes partnering with academic departments, student wellness groups and community-based organizations seeking to deepen their capacity for mindfulness and resilience. Kennedy earned her master’s degree in applied behavioral science from Bastyr University and is a licensed therapist with over a decade of experience in public and private practice.
Gina Topp (she/her) is a proud alumna of the University of Washington, graduating in 2017, 2021 and 2023. She earned a B.S. in biology, a J.D. and an LLM Masters in tax law. During her time at the University of Washington, Gina particularly enjoyed participating in an externship with the Washington State Legislature, where she fell in love with public policy. Gina served the people of King County as the legal counsel and policy advisor to the King County Executive. She recently started her own law firm. Aside from work, Gina enjoys all sports, particularly tennis and cherishes her role as a new mom.
As a member of the UW alumni community, Gina is passionate about the idea that together, across campuses and across the globe, the University of Washington community can make this world a better place.
12 Dec 2023
S3 Ep2: Honoring Your Heritage While Pursuing Entrepreneurship
with Salomé Valencia-Bohné and Karla Ciccia
Traditional corporate culture can foster spaces where BIPOC professionals don’t feel as if they can authentically be themselves. Social justice advocate and business owner Salomé Valencia-Bohné, MA, MSW, LSWAIC (she/her/ella) partners with you to explore how social entrepreneurship is a career move that can support you in honoring your cultural heritage and values while also increasing your wallet size.
Salomé Valencia-Bohné, MA, MSW, LSWAIC (she/her/ella) was born and raised in Yakima, WA. In 2019. She graduated from the University of Washington’s MSW program with a concentration in health and mental health. Dedicated to investing in the clinical social work field, Salomé is a member of many clinical social work and Latino societies, provides psychotherapy through an anti-oppression lens and is a strong activist within her community. She is the owner of The Rivers Wellness & Advocacy Foundation, host of the Clinically Growing Together podcast and owner of the Financial Peace & Prosperity program.
Originally from Peru, Karla Ciccia moved to the states as a kid but since then has lived in two other continents before returning to WA and setting down roots. Karla is a passionate traveler and community advocate. She was previously working at a local philanthropy where she led local and international teams to rapidly deliver functional prototypes across a wide spectrum of tech and conservation products. Currently, Karla is working as a product manager delivering quality donor tissue to those in need. Karla is a graduate from the UW and in her spare time loves to explore the PNW with her family, friends, and soon, first child.
8 Dec 2023
S3 Ep1: "You Can't Make a Living With That" --Negotiating Family Expectations While Following Your Passion
Sometimes, the field we are passionate about can seem too risky to pursue, especially when we have people in our lives cautioning us to be pragmatic and cautious. But what about happiness and personal fulfillment? Aren’t these also measures of success? Artist, designer and small-business owner Stacy Nguyen discusses what it was like for her to make a bunch of ‘bad’ career decisions.
Stacy Nguyen is a Seattle area-based Vietnamese American illustrator, visual designer and writer whose work explores the ways race, Vietnameseness and gender intersect within the lens of popular culture. Her work strongly features themes revolving around women and femininity. Stacy owns and runs Stacy Nguyen Creative, a branding and communications consulting business with a client roster that is primarily BIPOC-led community-based organizations and nonprofits whose work centers around equity, racial justice and economic justice.
Nidhi Kumar (she/her) is a proud alum of the University of Washington, graduating in 2021 from the UW School of Law with her master’s in jurisprudence. She earned her B.A. in political science (prelaw and criminal justice) at Michigan State University and is a current J.D. Candidate in Seattle University School of Law’s evening program, while serving full-time on the seconded Amazon legal team at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP, continuously building and exploring her passion for the law.
Nidhi serves as a member of the UWAA GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Council, a mentor through the Huskies@Work program and a District Dawg in the 43rd Legislative District, empowered by the mission of giving back to the UW community – providing opportunity, comradery and a voice to current students.
20 Jan 2023
S2 EP6: Managing your Work/Life Environment (part 2)
Feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied with your work may be a symptom of an imbalance between your work and your self. Psychologist Rosemary E. Simmons shares helpful tips of taking care of your priorities, being true to your values, and juggling competing demands.
20 Jan 2023
S2 EP5: Managing your Work/Life Environment (part 1)
Feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied with your work may be a symptom of an imbalance between your work and your self. Psychologist Rosemary E. Simmons shares helpful tips of taking care of your priorities, being true to your values, and juggling competing demands.
20 Jan 2023
S2 EP4: Navigating Career Transitions (part 2)
Our work informs our sense of self. Changing careers — or even jobs within a career — can affect how we see ourselves. When we go through a career transition, we are likely asking ourselves questions about who we are, who we are becoming, and who we want to become. Leadership coach and educator Helen Chung walks us through the intense, sometimes unexpected emotions that can come with a job or career change.
20 Jan 2023
S2 EP3: Navigating Career Transitions (part 1)
Our work informs our sense of self. Changing careers — or even jobs within a career — can affect how we see ourselves. When we go through a career transition, we are likely asking ourselves questions about who we are, who we are becoming, and who we want to become. Leadership coach and educator Helen Chung walks us through the intense, sometimes unexpected emotions that can come with a job or career change.
20 Jan 2023
S2 EP2: Transitioning into Leadership (part 2)
Transitioning into your first leadership role can be an exciting, nerve-racking experience. Career coach Catherine Bachy walks you through some of the most common questions and concerns about this important step, and shares some qualities and skills you can develop to be a better leader.
20 Jan 2023
S2 EP1: Transitioning into Leadership (part 1)
Transitioning into your first leadership role can be an exciting, nerve-racking experience. Leadership coach Catherine Bachy walks you through some of the most common questions and concerns about this important step, and shares some qualities and skills you can develop to be a better leader.
20 Jan 2023
S1 EP3: Combatting Ageism in the Job Market
In this discussion, Seattle career coach Elizabeth Atcheson reveals what ageism looks like in the hiring process and how to combat the stereotypes of an “older” worker. Whether you are 40 or 60, you will find helpful advice on how to harness your existing power as an experienced worker, use your network to get into interview pools, and land that role that you want.
20 Jan 2023
S1 EP2: Emotional Divestment in the Workplace
Are you too emotionally invested in your job? Equity and justice coach/consultant Yejin Lee explains the importance of finding the right questions to ask yourself as you think about your relationship with work, especially for people of color navigating inequity in the workplace. These strategies can help you find your focus, reduce harm, and center your path to personal and professional success.
16 Jan 2023
S1 EP1: Don't Build Your Network, Build Your Relationships
Developing your authentic personal brand is key to building relationships. Aleenah Ansari highlights how to use storytelling to create your brand and help you communicate your story and value to successfully navigate your job search now or in the future. Whether you are on a specific career track or breaking into a new industry, this conversation will help you hone your storytelling skills.
Who has been a guest on Career Conversations
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Sharan Jamiani
Nayoung Miller Vaughn
Karen Zukaitis
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
25,103,029
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
76
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
0
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