Career Crossroads

Career Crossroads

Jonathan Collaton

Getting to where you want to be in your career is not always as linear as we might think. Not everyone picks one career path and sticks to it for the rest of their lives, and lots of people are confused about what they want out of their career. Career Crossroads is on a mission to help people realize that being confused is okay - it happens to more people than you think! Host Jonathan Collaton talks to people with winding career paths, hears about the best advice career counsellors and career coaches and guidance counsellors give their clients and s...

The End of Career Crossroads

The End of Career Crossroads

All good things must come to an end. It's been a wonderful journey over the last 3+ years but today marks the end of Career Crossroads.In this final episode of the podcast, I discuss why I'm saying goodbye and thank those who have helped me make it this far.___________________You can find Career Crossroads at careercrossroads.ca or follow us on social media: Instagram: @career_crossroadsLinkedIn: Career Crossroads PodcastFacebook: Career Crossroads PodcastTikTok: @jonathancollaton

Dec 20, 2023 • 7:06

Mike Fernandes - Leaving his YouTube Career Behind for a shot at Student Affairs

Mike Fernandes - Leaving his YouTube Career Behind for a shot at Student Affairs

#100 - Like most kids, Mike developed his musical tastes as a teenager. He liked a wide range of bands and one day decided to try and mash up a couple of his favorite songs and publish the mix on YouTube. That simple action had a much bigger impact than Mike ever could have predicted. It was the first step in launching his YouTube channel which at its peak had over 325,000 subscribers and was getting up to 2 million views per month. In this interview, we talk through Mike's early career pl

Dec 13, 2023 • 1:04:17

Career Coach Conversations with Betty Xie

Career Coach Conversations with Betty Xie

#99 – As Betty Xie headed toward post-secondary education, she had a plan: study math because that would lead her to a good job. The closer she got to starting classes, the more she realized that while that was practical and she had a talent for it, she wasn’t actually interested in math and the career options it would provide. Instead of looking at studying something similar but more interesting, Betty decided she wanted to explore perhaps the farthest areas of study from math - cinema studies

Dec 4, 2023 • 28:05

Matt Cooksey – How A Breakdown Led Him To The Perfect Career

Matt Cooksey – How A Breakdown Led Him To The Perfect Career

#98 - Matt Cooksey ended up in his first career because he was following a family member's footsteps, and it took him almost a decade to realize he wasn't happy. He was always chasing something - more money or a promotion - that would make him happy, right?It wasn't until he unexpectedly broke down that Matt that Matt realized that staying on that career path wasn't going to make him happy no matter how good it seemed like he had it. That breakdown was the beginning of a jour

Oct 20, 2023 • 50:47

Stephanie Chan - Leaving Law Behind to Help the Elderly

Stephanie Chan - Leaving Law Behind to Help the Elderly

#97 - Getting a law degree and passing the bar is quite the task, so it's not often people go through all that work only to leave their law career behind. That's what makes Stephanie Chan such an anomaly - she did exactly that. Today, I talk to Stephanie about how why she left law behind and what prompted her to found Home to Home Advisory Services and myCareBase.To read more about Stephanie’s companies or get in touch with her, use the links below:Home to Home Advisory Services Inc.my

Aug 17, 2023 • 22:37

Mike Gallagher – Taking his Creativity from Film to the World of Marketing

Mike Gallagher – Taking his Creativity from Film to the World of Marketing

#96 - As Mike Gallagher spent his teenage years filming his friends skateboarding around the Metro Vancouver area, someone took notice. A high school teacher recognized Mike’s aptitude for film and developed an independent study course that allowed Mike free reign over the school’s media equipment. It didn’t take long for Mike to become hooked and as he approached graduation he applied to the Art Institute of Vancouver’s Digital Film and Production program. The plan was for Mike to live out his

Jul 31, 2023 • 1:06:40

Collision Conference 2023 Interviews - Chatting with Tech Founders Who Changed Their Careers

Collision Conference 2023 Interviews - Chatting with Tech Founders Who Changed Their Careers

#95 – When you go to a tech conference like Collision, you might expect that all the founders attending to showcase their companies have deep roots in the tech industry, My experience at Collision, however, shows me that is not always the case.In this episode, you’ll head my conversations with Austin of Seaube Software, Kaleda of Kilo, and Adam of Elo Gaming as we discuss how their careers have taken them on a winding road that unexpectedly led them to Collision.___________________You can find C

Jul 17, 2023 • 25:45

Kelvin Beachum - NFL Offensive Lineman and Investor

Kelvin Beachum - NFL Offensive Lineman and Investor

#94 - This week’s guest on Career Crossroads is Kelvin Beachum, a professional football player who plays left tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. As an 11-season veteran who has played in over 150 NFL games, you might think that Kelvin lives and breathes football but the truth is that Kelvin is not just a football player. Outside of football, Kelvin is an investor and philanthropist with a specific interest in ending hunger around the world while also spreading info

Jul 10, 2023 • 19:52

Academic Crossroads with Sam Demma

Academic Crossroads with Sam Demma

#93 – When Sam Demma started his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto Scarborough it didn’t take long for him to realize that while he might be in the right place, he was there at the wrong time. Had he put enough thought into his programs of study? Was he just going to school because that’s what he was supposed to do? These were questions running through his mind, but ultimately, he was thinking about what he really wanted; to build his own business motivating youth to take action.

Jul 3, 2023 • 31:51

Career Coach Conversations with Soma Ghosh

Career Coach Conversations with Soma Ghosh

#92 - When clients come to Soma Ghosh to help them with their careers, they often want support in getting out of an untenable situation. As a Career Coach Soma can certainly help them move to a new job but if there are unaddressed underlying issues outside of their 9-5 they may end up feeling the same way soon enough. That's why Soma likes to go deeper to find the root of the problem because helping clients find 'the next thing' may only be a temporary solution. As a Career Coach

Jun 26, 2023 • 29:30

Dan Chan – From PayPal Mafia to Magician for Millionaires

Dan Chan – From PayPal Mafia to Magician for Millionaires

#91 – Every good magician has a stage name and Dan Chan is known as ‘The Millionaire’s Mentalist’. He has earned that name after a career of performing at events for wealthy tech moguls from companies like Twitter and Amazon but when he was first starting out he was making balloon animals at children’s birthday parties. That’s because magic was not Dan’s first full-time job. After getting a degree in Finance from the University of California, Riverside, Dan was hired as one of the early employee

Jun 19, 2023 • 49:38

Chronicling Career Crossroads - New Format Success and Fighting Burnout

Chronicling Career Crossroads - New Format Success and Fighting Burnout

#90 – Today’s episode of the podcast isn’t an interview- it’s just you and me talking. Now that we’re two months into the new show format, I wanted to give an update on how things are going and let you know about the podcast’s record-breaking month of May.I also want to talk a bit about the importance of preplanning to take time off and my own experience with it. The best month in the history of the podcast came during the month I was paying the least attention.Take a listen and let me know what

Jun 5, 2023 • 10:18

Academic Crossroads with Ben Brown

Academic Crossroads with Ben Brown

#89 – As a first-year offensive lineman on the University of Waterloo’s varsity football team, Ben Brown was supposed to be living his dream. With the support of his father, who had been his football coach, Ben received a football scholarship to an excellent school and was excited for the next chapter of his life. Before Ben’s university career began, however, tragedy struck as Ben’s father passed away. Suddenly, Ben was carrying the weight of his and his father's dream all on his own.Despi

May 29, 2023 • 24:59

Career Coach Conversations with Chris M. Wilson

Career Coach Conversations with Chris M. Wilson

When you know you want to change your career but you are unsure of where to go, you might seek the help of a professional. Chris M. Wilson, this week's guest, struggled to find the help he was looking for and that challenge led him to dedicate his life to helping people going through similar struggles. As a career coach, Chris helps people find clarity in what they really want because without that you can't move forward. Before we talk about that, Chris walks me through the early part

May 22, 2023 • 28:54

CC Shorts with Andy Thibodeau

CC Shorts with Andy Thibodeau

#87 - What would you do if your ability to do your job disappeared overnight? How would you react? That's a question Andy Thibodeau wrestled with in March 2020 when Covid-19 shut down his career as a public speaker. As a 25+ year veteran of the industry, this was the only job Andy had ever really known and in the span of 48 hours, 31 bookings cancelled and his ability to make an income evaporated.As Andy struggled with this new reality and the recognition that he was a people person who cou

May 15, 2023 • 31:15

Josh Green – From Acting, to Cookie Dough Connoisseur, to Business Consulting

Josh Green – From Acting, to Cookie Dough Connoisseur, to Business Consulting

#86 -If you told 20-year-old Josh Green that he was going to be a business consultant in the future, he would have thought you were joking.  How did he end up a business consultant when he was well on his way to a successful career as an actor and improv comedian? He was getting regular work, making more money than most actors he knew, and even had scenes in movies with Ice Cube and Danny Glover.As 20-year-old Josh would soon find out, the way you feel today may not be the way you feel tomorrow,

May 8, 2023 • 1:02:42

Academic Crossroads with Frank Chen

Academic Crossroads with Frank Chen

85 - Attending university can change your life. Sometimes, in ways you don’t expect. For Frank Chen, coming to Canada from his native China to study at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) was a way to get into a stable career, while also making his parents proud. To satisfy both desires, Frank chose to study accounting and he was successful in his studies. During one of his co-op terms, however, Frank came to the realization that he wasn’t passionate about accounting. When he shared thi

May 1, 2023 • 37:26

Career Coach Conversations with Wei Huang

Career Coach Conversations with Wei Huang

#85 – “What can I do with my degree?” This is one of the most common questions asked by students who have nearly finished pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into completing a difficult academic program and are now realizing they are unsure of what comes next. With a decade of experience working as a Career Counsellor at the University of Toronto Scarborough Academic Advising and Career Centre, and another decade of experience prior to that in Toronto Employment Centres, Wei Huang is well equi

Apr 24, 2023 • 29:54

CC Shorts with Brian Millado

CC Shorts with Brian Millado

#83 - In the early days of his career, Brian Millado jumped between jobs in the Department of Student Life at the University of Toronto. He wasn't jumping because he didn't like his roles, or because he was chasing higher pay; he was jumping because he was continually offered the chance to work on different programs as his skillset was in demand. Things were good. Until one day, they weren't. One day, Brian looked around and realized that all his peers knew what their next step wa

Apr 17, 2023 • 20:09

Chris Lewarne – From New York City corporate lawyer to Barry’s Bootcamp instructor in Toronto

Chris Lewarne – From New York City corporate lawyer to Barry’s Bootcamp instructor in Toronto

#82 – Chris Lewarne is well known in the Toronto fitness community as one of the trainers at Barry’s Bootcamp, helping people achieve their fitness and health goals. Fitness, however, was not the path Chris set out on when leaving high school. Growing up, his family struggled financially, and Chris worked some awful jobs as a teenager to help contribute. With those experiences pushing him forward, he dreamed about the financial stability a high-paying career could provide and as a successful stu

Apr 10, 2023 • 1:12:28

Chronicling Career Crossroads #5 - Where We Stand

Chronicling Career Crossroads #5 - Where We Stand

Today, we get vulnerable. In this short and final episode of the Chronicles series,  we discuss what new episode formats are on the horizon and how this series has driven Jonathan's public speaking work forward. Despite the good news we share, plenty of work remains to do. If you're invested in the Career Crossroads journey, this episode is a must-listen to.Referenced in this episode:Chronicling Career Crossroads #1 - The Career Crossroads CrossroadNew Podcast Episode Formats Explained

Apr 3, 2023 • 12:09

Chronicling Career Crossroads #4 - Marketing

Chronicling Career Crossroads #4 - Marketing

When products change, their marketing has to change: that's the core of the fourth episode of the Chronicling Career Crossroad series. But how to market something that is still in flux? It's not a question I can answer on my own so I need to bring in an expert. Enter Ronak Patel. As a business owner, former guest of the show, and a friend, Ronak is the perfect person to bounce ideas off of.  Listen to our conversation about how marketing and promotion are changing in an ever-evolving s

Mar 22, 2023 • 19:28

Chronicling Career Crossroads #3 - Content

Chronicling Career Crossroads #3 - Content

Content is king. You've probably heard or read that phrase over the last decade with the rise of online content creators, but the origins of the phrase can be traced to magazine editing in the 1970s. What does that have to do with this episode? Well, content is the subject of Chronicling Career Crossroads #3. For a podcast, every episode is considered content, but in the context of the Chronicling Career Crossroads discussion, what content is really king? What is the best content available

Mar 7, 2023 • 13:24

Chronicling Career Crossroads #2 – Research

Chronicling Career Crossroads #2 – Research

When this episode was first conceived it was titled “Research – or how to make sure what I’m doing isn’t a waste of time”.As the episode title was….simplified, the core idea for the episode stayed the same: research. In order to determine if the planned Career Crossroads pivot is hitting the mark, I need to find out if the audience I intend to support (high school students, university/college students, and young grads) will actually benefit from this content.To find the answers to these question

Feb 23, 2023 • 27:26

Chronicling Career Crossroads #1 - The Career Crossroads Crossroad

Chronicling Career Crossroads #1 - The Career Crossroads Crossroad

How do you handle change? Sometimes it’s forced upon us, and sometimes we just know it’s time. Sometimes change is needed. That is where I’m at with Career Crossroads. It’s changing. It’s evolving into something better and I’m going to take you along on the journey through that evolution.This is the first in a five-part series I’m calling Chronicling Career Crossroads. Without spoiling too much, it talks about where Career Crossroads and I have been, and where we’re going. Whether you’re a faith

Feb 9, 2023 • 25:10

Claudio – From Gas Station Manager, to Window Washer, to Flight Simulation Instructor

Claudio – From Gas Station Manager, to Window Washer, to Flight Simulation Instructor

#75 – Although he would never do it, Claudio Teixeira could probably pull a Frank Abagnale and fake his way through flying a jet aircraft. That’s because Claudio has over 5000 hours in the ‘sky’ on the Boeing 777 simulator that is the crown jewel of his company, uFly Simulator Inc, which exists to entertain, help people get over their fear of flying, and train soon-to-be pilots.For years before he started the business, he would spend his evening playing Microsoft Flight Simulator flying between

Jul 20, 2022 • 1:33:35

Evo – From Tire Sales, to Travel Blogging, to Podcast Pontificator

Evo – From Tire Sales, to Travel Blogging, to Podcast Pontificator

#74 – As the creator of the 40th podcast in the world way back in 2004, Evo Terra has had an impact on the world of podcasting for almost two decades and was recently honoured as a 2022 inductee into the Podcast Hall of Fame. You might imagine that someone given that honour makes a career in podcasting, and while that is true now, podcasting as a ‘career’ was not an option for Evo until the mid-2010s. On a recent episode of Evo’s own podcast, Podcast Pontification, he mentioned some of the jobs

Jul 13, 2022 • 1:22:28

Hailee – From Primate Rehabilitation to Police Officer Specializing in Forensics

Hailee – From Primate Rehabilitation to Police Officer Specializing in Forensics

#73 – Have you ever wanted to collect data on wild jaguars or help rehabilitate a monkey with a broken arm? Well then let me introduce you to Hailee Hallas. Along with tree-planting in northern Ontario, studying these animals was some of the first employment opportunities she received in her young career after completing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Carleton University.Despite how amazing these jobs may seem they were not without their drawbacks. Little pay and massive c

Jul 6, 2022 • 1:18:14

What I've Been Up To

What I've Been Up To

Career Crossroads is back after an unplanned break! Before we get into some new interviews, I’ve got some updates about why there has been such a long break as well as some information about some other projects I’ve been working on.After you've listened, check out my wife and I's new travel vlog on YouTube - Jon and Tash Travel ___________________You can find Career Crossroads at careercrossroads.ca or follow us on social media: Instagram: @career_crossroadsLinkedIn: Career Crossroads

Jun 29, 2022 • 21:28

Jenn – The Path to Founding Cheekbone Beauty

Jenn – The Path to Founding Cheekbone Beauty

#71 – In 2016, Jenn Harper founded Cheekbone Beauty despite having no previous experience in the cosmetics industry. This was a major career change as up until that point she had worked exclusively in hospitality and in wholesale foods, leveraging her strong relationships with chefs to succeed. So why cosmetics? What changed? Well, in 2015 as Jenn was learning about her Indigenous grandmother’s experience in residential schools she had a dream. In this dream she saw “native little girls covered

Apr 13, 2022 • 58:27

Isil – Overcoming Fear and Finding Her Creative Self

Isil – Overcoming Fear and Finding Her Creative Self

#70 - Isil Uysal Cavelli grew up in Izmir, Turkey, and didn't have a lot of role models.  Consequently, if you told her that she couldn't have a specific career she would believe you without giving it much thought. Dancing? No, she was a chubby kid and it was unlikely she would become a professional. Doctor? No, it was too stressful and required too much studying to become a professional. Artist? No, it was not a stable career and art is more of a hobby anyway. Influenced by her family

Mar 30, 2022 • 1:23:25

Priya – How a Broadcaster Dabbled in Teaching on the Way to a Career in Technology

Priya – How a Broadcaster Dabbled in Teaching on the Way to a Career in Technology

#69 – Priya Sam grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, and was torn between two interests. Should she explore her interest in teaching, something she developed entirely on her own, or should she work towards a path in journalism, a career her parents suggested she had a specific skillset for? In this episode, we talk about how Priya chose journalism, and how she ended up teaching in South Korea for six years immediately following her post-secondary education. We hear about her rise to becoming the co-

Mar 2, 2022 • 1:20:01

Rest, Recovery, and Dreaming

Rest, Recovery, and Dreaming

#68 - After eight weeks off, Career Crossroads is back! I'm rested and somewhat recovered so it's time for an update on what's been going on with me and the podcast. This episode recaps everything that's gone on in the time I was off, including;Rediscovering old passionsSome podcast achievementsChanges to the podcastThe future of the podcastStarting next week we'll be back to new interviews, and in the meantime, please take a second to subscribe to the NEW Career Crossro

Feb 16, 2022 • 31:20

Best of Career Crossroads #4 - Lindsay Graham

Best of Career Crossroads #4 - Lindsay Graham

#67 - This week is the fourth and final episode of the Best of Career Crossroads series before I return with new episodes. This week we're revisiting my interview with Lindsay Graham from March 2021. _____________________Composer, voice actor, sound designer, and host. These are some of the words you can use to describe what Lindsay Graham does in his current career as a full-time podcast creator. He's the man behind American History Tellers, American Scandal, Business Movers, and many

Feb 9, 2022 • 1:19:33

Best of Career Crossroads #3 - Ashlee

Best of Career Crossroads #3 - Ashlee

In episode #3 of the Best of Career Crossroads series, we revisit my interview with Ashlee.Being LeBron James’ first intern is a pretty cool way to start your career, and that’s exactly the job Ashlee Ammons was recommended for while attending university. All her involvement in university paid off as others were noticing her talents, work ethic, and how she was able to balance her extracurriculars with her Broadcasting, Mass Communications, and Public Relations degree at Baldwin Wallace Universi

Feb 3, 2022 • 1:10:53

Best of Career Crossroads #2 - Kait

Best of Career Crossroads #2 - Kait

In episode #2 of the Best of Career Crossroads series, we revisit my interview with Kait.Kait’s journey to her current career took her through a winding road in her late teens and early 20’s.  She tried multiple educational paths and finally settled on fashion as her career of choice.  But the path to being a Merchandising Manager was bumpy, and she turned to a more stable office administration role where she thrived.  With a constant urge to better herself, and with the support of her colleague

Jan 26, 2022 • 1:16:53

Best of Career Crossroads #1 - Robbie

Best of Career Crossroads #1 - Robbie

As I take a break from posting new interviews I'll be hightailing some of my favorite episodes from the past year and a half. This is week one of the Best of Career Crossroads series of episodes. Today, we're featuring Robbie. Robbie Berardi's story of becoming a skilled blacksmith starts when he graduated high school with plans to work at his local gas station. With a number of twists and turns along the way, he was able to train under master blacksmiths in Germany and the United

Jan 19, 2022 • 1:18:11

December 2021 Update - The Burnout is Real

December 2021 Update - The Burnout is Real

#63 - We’ve had twelve new interviews since Career Crossroads one year anniversary so it’s time for another update episode. Let’s talk about both the good and the bad of the last three months of running Career Crossroads, and what changes are coming in the short term.___________________You can find Career Crossroads at careercrossroads.ca or follow us on social media: Instagram: @career_crossroadsLinkedIn: Career Crossroads PodcastFacebook: Career Crossroads PodcastTikTok: @jonathancollaton

Dec 22, 2021 • 27:12

Dakota – How Knowing His Values Led Him to Become A Professional Co-Author

Dakota – How Knowing His Values Led Him to Become A Professional Co-Author

#62 – Dakota LaMarre has never thought of his career as a way to make money. Yes, making money is necessary and yes, it’s a by-product of the jobs he has had over the years, but he needed more out of a career. He needed to find a career that would allow him to live the values his parents instilled in him when he was young: achieving his potential, doing something great, and helping people.While he tried to figure out what career path would provide that fulfillment, he spent his free time learni

Dec 15, 2021 • 1:19:38

Robert – From Journalism to Web Accessibility Advocate

Robert – From Journalism to Web Accessibility Advocate

#61 - With influences like Stephen King and Lemony Snicket, Robert Kingett, who was born blind and with cerebral palsy, realized at a young age that writing was a fantastic way to express himself.  Initially setting out to start his writing career as a journalist, Robert built up a portfolio by writing about anything and everything from human interest stories to sports coverage. While he had a solid plan for how to get noticed by the big local Chicago newspapers, it didn't take long for Rob

Dec 8, 2021 • 1:06:22

Greg – How a Traumatic Brain Injury Changed His Path

Greg – How a Traumatic Brain Injury Changed His Path

#60 – Greg Noack was not happy with his life in his early 20’s. He had moved to British Columbia with plans to start anew after being unhappy with the options his business diploma afforded him in Ontario. He was not in B.C for long before his life was profoundly impacted on a cold morning in November of 1996. As he was walking home from work in the early hours of the morning, Greg was assaulted from behind in a random act of violence. Greg fell into a coma and for fifteen days he teetered on the

Dec 1, 2021 • 58:51

Sydney – TikTok Travel and Tech Sales

Sydney – TikTok Travel and Tech Sales

#59 – Many people know Sydney as the ‘TikTok travel sales girl’ where she’s gained a significant following (160k+) by telling stories about the crazy phone calls she received while helping people book their dream vacations. Does Sydney’s TikTok fame figure into the future of her career? No, Sydney is a realist and sees social media for what it is: a way for people to share funny stories, trends, and ultimately take a break from the pressures of their lives. Given that, what does Sydney want to

Nov 24, 2021 • 58:04

Ken – The Path From Paycheck to Purpose

Ken – The Path From Paycheck to Purpose

#58 – Ken Coleman is known as America’s Career Coach, and for good reason. As the host of The Ken Coleman show, a nationally broadcast radio show on SiriusXM radio, he spends an hour each day talking to people about their career struggles and how to overcome them.The reason Ken is so effective at helping people navigate their career crossroads is that he’s been there himself. After years working in politics, Ken realized that was not the future he wanted for himself so he had some soul searchin

Nov 17, 2021 • 56:12

Crian - Career Paths in Five Countries

Crian - Career Paths in Five Countries

#57 – From his beginnings in South Africa, to his education in the United States and Ireland, on to his careers in South Korea and Taiwan, Crain Padayachee has experienced more change in his 39 years than most of us will experience in a lifetime. So how does a man who purports to not like change end up living in five different countries? A combination of education opportunities, visa applications, and relationships have all played a part in his world travels and with each plane ride came the ne

Nov 10, 2021 • 1:00:23

Lena – Business and Engineering and Technology, Oh My

Lena – Business and Engineering and Technology, Oh My

#56 – Lena Xiang is the founder of Open Classroom Experience, a virtual global innovation program for Gen Z leaders that helps them have a valuable virtual intercultural experience that prepares them to thrive in an everchanging world. This venture is relatively new and is the culmination of Lena working to determine how she could create a positive social impact on the world around her. The journey that led Lena to Open Classroom Experience has taken her from Toronto to Shanghai, New York, San

Nov 3, 2021 • 1:23:04

Brooke – The Highs and Lows of Politics and Beyond

Brooke – The Highs and Lows of Politics and Beyond

#55 – Politics runs in Brooke Crewson’s blood. From the age of five, she was helping her dad go door-to-door in his political campaigns, and at 15 she made the conscious decision to start volunteering to support campaigns she believed in. Despite that, she wasn’t 100% convinced of her future and pursued the parallel path of history and politics while studying at Wilfrid Laurier University.When she received job offers in both fields after graduating, Brooke had a tough decision to make. Should s

Oct 27, 2021 • 1:08:06

Keith - Opera Singer to Coffee Cocktail Artisan

Keith - Opera Singer to Coffee Cocktail Artisan

#54 – Growing up in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, Keith Honda had a world of options when he finished university. With his deep voice and talent for singing, Keith chose to come to Wilfrid Laurier University for their renowned music program where, as my roommate, he proceeded to wake me up every morning when he sang in the shower. Despite all the fun we had, the transition to university was not so smooth and after his first year, Keith headed back to Michigan where his par

Oct 20, 2021 • 1:18:27

Jabez – Mechanical Engineering to Business Consulting

Jabez – Mechanical Engineering to Business Consulting

#53 – Growing up in Mozambique, Jabez Ivan Joshiraj was always interested in building things when he was younger. Both cars and airplanes were fascinating and he decided that one day, he wanted to be the person behind their design. As a means to that end, when he graduated high school he headed to India, where he was born, to study mechanical engineering.As he progressed through university, he worked on an engineering project that required him to source supplies. With this, he discovered the wor

Oct 13, 2021 • 1:00:45

Lauren – From Retail, to Music, to Mobile Flower Shop

Lauren – From Retail, to Music, to Mobile Flower Shop

#52 – The first thing Lauren Vandervecht ever thought she wanted to do for a career was be an interior designer. At the time it was the only job she knew of where she could be creative and while that career never came to pass, the thought process gives us a good indication of the direction she would head in.With stops in retail, music, and e-commerce both in Canada and the United States, Lauren’s story is full of twists and turns. She left opportunities that didn’t feel right and went after new

Oct 6, 2021 • 1:17:40

Cayla – Hospitality to Healing

Cayla – Hospitality to Healing

#51 – Cayla Schafer has had to pivot her career more than once due to her health. Misdiagnosed celiac disease wreaked havoc on her life while she made her way through university and her illness ultimately forced her to leave her thoughts of pursuing a career in acting behind. As she began to recover, she picked up a job serving at a restaurant in Toronto and was immediately hooked. Serving ticked all the right boxes: she could talk to people, problem solve, and each day was different. She began

Sep 29, 2021 • 1:18:26

One Year of Career Crossroads

One Year of Career Crossroads

#50 – This week marks one year since the launch of Career Crossroads, and it’s time to celebrate and reflect! In 23 minutes, I pack in all of the following:How I've improved as a podcaster over the last yearI talk about whether I've achieved the goals laid out in my first episode a year agoI share some stats about who is listening to Career CrossroadsI thank the people who have helped me get this farI discuss the future of Career CrossroadsI really can't express how happy I am wit

Sep 8, 2021 • 23:45

Nicholas – From Business to Film Production

Nicholas – From Business to Film Production

#49 – As a child, Nicholas loved to tell stories and would make home movies and short films with his siblings and neighborhood kids. He even took some acting classes and was in a local commercial in London, Ontario. However, when he reached high school, he excelled in business classes and decided to pursue a business degree at Wilfrid Laurier University without really knowing what he wanted his future career to be.At Laurier, he decided to specialize in marketing but it was his volunteer experie

Sep 1, 2021 • 1:24:50

Ben – From Indie Rocker to Journalist

Ben – From Indie Rocker to Journalist

#48 – Growing up in the west end of Toronto, Ben Spurr’s favourite thing to do was get together for jam sessions with his friends. What started as a way for them to hang out became something more when they realized they had the talent to make something of themselves. That’s how Ben’s band, The Coast, got their start. Despite the possibilities of making music for a living, Ben also had an interest in furthering his education. He enrolled at the University of Toronto to study History, English, and

Aug 25, 2021 • 57:22

Mathieu – From Hollywood Plans, to International Development, to Software Development and Beyond

Mathieu – From Hollywood Plans, to International Development, to Software Development and Beyond

#47 - Mathieu Arsenault's story is one of many pivots. His early ideas of having a career in acting led to a university drama program, but he quickly realized that acting was not what he wanted for his future. While there, a faculty member led him towards an exchange program in Russia and that trip stoked the flames of his burgeoning interest in international development. After a number of years working to help villages in Tajikistan with their food security, Mathieu returned home to Prince

Aug 18, 2021 • 1:05:22

Ashlee - The Road to Connecting Humans

Ashlee - The Road to Connecting Humans

#46 – Being LeBron James’ first intern is a pretty cool way to start your career, and that’s exactly the job Ashlee Ammons was recommended for while attending university. All her involvement in university paid off as others were noticing her talents, work ethic, and how she was able to balance her extracurriculars with her Broadcasting, Mass Communications, and Public Relations degree at Baldwin Wallace University just outside of Cleveland, Ohio.In her role as LeBron’s intern at LRMR Ventures in

Aug 11, 2021 • 1:11:34

August 2021 Update Episode

August 2021 Update Episode

#45 – Welcome back to another update episode of Career Crossroads! Taking a break from interviewing guests, this episode Jonathan is solo and provides updates on a few topics, including:Show Format ChangesHis Current JobPodcast Growth Emails from ListenersClocking in under 25 minutes, you can listen to this episode in about the same amount of time as it takes to watch a rerun of Friends. You know what happens to Ross and Rachel. They were on a break. We can move on with our lives. Put the remote

Aug 4, 2021 • 23:06

Mic – Finding His Calm in Music

Mic – Finding His Calm in Music

#44 - When Mic Tee was growing up in the suburbs of Toronto, he was surrounded by music. Hip-hop, house, and gospel were commonly heard but it was the calm relaxing feeling he got when his father played the classical guitar at home that really drove Mic’s passion. While he explored this passion, Mic also wanted to be practical so headed to Wilfrid Laurier University to get a degree in business knowing that an in-demand degree would help him get a job long-term.At university, Mic explored all are

Jul 28, 2021 • 1:18:41

Laura – Without Teaching, Who Am I?

Laura – Without Teaching, Who Am I?

#43 – We all knew a Laura Easson when we were younger. That high achieving type-A personality who was always helping others who struggled in class. The one who was CLEARLY going to be a teacher when they were older. That was Laura, and combined with her musical upbringing she had a great specialty for when she started her teaching career. With a solid plan, Laura headed off to the University of Waterloo for an undergraduate degree in music, then off to Western University to complete teacher’s co

Jul 21, 2021 • 1:15:20

Katie - From Aquatics, to Journalism, to Teaching

Katie - From Aquatics, to Journalism, to Teaching

#42 – Growing up, Katie was practically a fish. As a synchronized swimmer, she was always in the water and as a teenager worked as a lifeguard and aquatics instructor. Given that, it only seemed natural that she would make a career out of being close to a pool. That is exactly why she has come back to synchro and aquatics multiple times since she joined the working world.After high school, she attended Wilfrid Laurier University to get her Bachelor of Arts in History, and upon graduating started

Jul 14, 2021 • 1:27:01

Sheldon – Med School Plans, Different Reality

Sheldon – Med School Plans, Different Reality

#41 – From a young age, Sheldon Pereira was always good at fixing things. It started when his dad brought home his first ever computer, and Sheldon had to learn to fix it when he broke it. As he matured through high school, his interest turned more to fixing people than computers, and he had visions of attending medical school to become a doctor. The first step in that journey was attending Wilfrid Laurier University, and while Sheldon’s overall experience was fantastic, academically things did

Jun 23, 2021 • 1:28:18

Moe – From Phone Line Repairman to Tech Entrepreneur

Moe – From Phone Line Repairman to Tech Entrepreneur

#40 – As a teenager, Moe Abbas was a vastly different person than he is today. Unmotivated by school, it took getting beat up by some pot dealers at 16 for Moe to make the decision to improve his life. The change wasn’t immediate, but as he began to focus on improving his physical health, his education, and his relationships, opportunities began to present themselves to himThe first opportunity was as an Assistant Phone Line Repair Technician, which allowed him to leave his hometown of Ottawa, O

Jun 16, 2021 • 52:05

Career Crossroads Update Episode!

Career Crossroads Update Episode!

#39 - Welcome to Career Crossroads very first update episode! This week, I decided not to release an interview as there have been some changes (all positive) in my life that I wanted to talk about. Instead, I recorded a 16-minute episode where I discuss my career and the future of the podcast.Firstly, last week I began a new job. Given the nature of the podcast and why I started it, I felt it was important to talk about why I shifted roles at this point in time.  I provide some insight into why

Jun 9, 2021 • 16:31

Josh – The Path from Being Lost to Being Intentional

Josh – The Path from Being Lost to Being Intentional

#38 - For Josh Zettel going to university was an obvious step, but what to do after graduating with a degree in Psychology and Philosophy was less obvious. As he was considering social work, he got a job working at House of Friendship, a non-profit homeless shelter that also provided other programming for the local community. This role helped him realize that while he wanted to help people and be able to connect, social work was not the right path and he ended up leaving House of Friendship afte

Jun 2, 2021 • 1:15:44

Jason - From Psychology to Professional Dancer

Jason - From Psychology to Professional Dancer

#37 - Today on career Crossroads I talk to Jason Yap, a professional dancer from Malaysia who is currently living and working in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. As a teenager, Jason had aspirations to become a basketball coach but realized quickly that was not a path likely to lead to success in Malaysia. As he decided to call quits on his basketball career, a new passion emerged: dance. With his athletic ability and competitive nature, he was drawn to the sport as it relied solely on his hard work a

May 26, 2021 • 1:06:26

Shelly – From Hotel Management in India to Educator in Canada

Shelly – From Hotel Management in India to Educator in Canada

#36 – Growing up in New Delhi in her native India, Shelly’s family had a lot of say in the career path she chose. Despite that, Shelly was committed to working in the hospitality industry and pushed back against her family’s concerns. When she was accepted into the Institute of Hotel Management in Gangtok, her father relented, and off she went. An internship at the Taj Mahal Hotel led to a career in the Food and Beverage department at other luxury hotels like The Imperial, serving clients like A

May 19, 2021 • 58:48

Matt – Brass Instrument Repair, Skylanders Expert, Podcast Consultant

Matt – Brass Instrument Repair, Skylanders Expert, Podcast Consultant

#35 – Matt Sonnenberg is a man who isn’t afraid to try things. He tries something new, learns a valuable lesson, and then moves onto something else. This is a pattern that started with his childhood paper route but and continues with the multiple revenue streams he manages today.His journey takes us through two different attempts at post-secondary education; a path that eventually led him to specialize in brass instrument repair. After a failed solo repair business, Matt ended up at a larger mus

May 12, 2021 • 1:54:07

Tyson - Stadiums, Bars, and Karbon Brewing Co.

Tyson - Stadiums, Bars, and Karbon Brewing Co.

#34 - Steve Tyson (a.k.a Tyson) has had something like 27 different jobs in his life. From selling peanut butter cups when he was 10 so he could buy a Nintendo Gamecube, to founding Karbon Brewing Company in 2020, Tyson has often had a motivation behind each job he’s worked beyond just making money. After a number of paths through post-secondary education and a number of jobs working in stadium events management, Tyson moved into the hospitality industry where he saw a number of issues with the

May 5, 2021 • 1:25:51

Victoria – From Candle Sales to Leading Teams at Facebook

Victoria – From Candle Sales to Leading Teams at Facebook

#33 – How does someone with no university degree become an executive at Facebook? That’s the story of Victoria Graham’s career over the last 20+ years. Without a clear idea of her future during post-secondary education, Victoria drifted from one university to another and eventually found herself dropping classes for lack of interest. What was holding her interest? The candle store she was working at, where she was eventually promoted to manage one of their locations. The candle store led to a jo

Apr 28, 2021 • 1:38:10

Zach – Politics, to Paramedic, to Policy Analyst

Zach – Politics, to Paramedic, to Policy Analyst

#32 – Having literally circled the globe during the course of his career, and living in 8 countries along the way, Zach Desson would probably describe himself not as a nomad but as someone open to new experiences. Leaving his home town when he was 18 to volunteer in Peru is where his journey began before he headed back to Canada to start university as a political science student at Wilfrid Laurier University. After graduating, he spent some time working for the Red Cross but continued to look fo

Apr 21, 2021 • 1:06:46

Lisa – From Accounting to Real Estate Investing

Lisa – From Accounting to Real Estate Investing

#31 – Hailing from the Cayman Islands, Lisa Hylton has always had a career where she crunched numbers, although who she was crunching numbers for has changed dramatically over time. After doing part of her university degree in Cayman, and then transferring to the University of Georgia to complete it, Lisa began her career in accounting with Pricewaterhouse Cooper. After establishing herself at home, she then sought to take her talents abroad via a PwC exchange program. After considering New York

Apr 14, 2021 • 1:21:13

Helen – Helping People Find Their Next Career, After She Found Her Own

Helen – Helping People Find Their Next Career, After She Found Her Own

#30 – Helen Hanison has lived a life of two careers. After stumbling a little as a teenager, she attended university at the age of 21 to get a degree in Media and Communications and after spending a term during her degree working at a high-profile Public Relations firm, she was hooked. This experience led to a long career working in PR in increasingly difficult positions, in multiple cities in her native England. Despite her success in the industry, it wasn’t an entirely smooth road. The fast-pa

Apr 7, 2021 • 1:32:03

James – Merging Radio and Technology

James – Merging Radio and Technology

#29 - James Cridland knew from the time he was a teenager that radio and technology were two of his biggest passions. Given that, he had a fairly easy time deciding where to try and get hired after high school; a radio station. In a weird twist, early on in his career he was fired and rehired by the same person, but he realized that being the on-air talent full time didn’t allow him the creativity he desired. Using his other skillsets, over the next number of years he ran a radio station website

Mar 31, 2021 • 1:12:06

Jessica – From Student Affairs to the Non-Profit Sector

Jessica – From Student Affairs to the Non-Profit Sector

#28 – Jessica Bondy has always been a natural leader and from a young age she developed a passion for helping others. Towards the end of high school, as she tried to figure out what career path to go down, she flipped open a book about careers and landed on recreation therapist. Everything about the job seemed right so she set off to the University of Waterloo to begin her education. While excelling academically in her undergraduate degrees (she did two of them simultaneously), Jessica became he

Mar 24, 2021 • 1:04:08

Kristy – From VP Human Resources, to Stay at Home Mom, to Professional Food Blogger

Kristy – From VP Human Resources, to Stay at Home Mom, to Professional Food Blogger

#27 – Kristy Bernardo is the woman behind the wildly successful blog The Wicked Noodle, however, being a professional foodie wasn’t always in her future. Growing up in small town Wisconsin, Kristy didn’t have s strong sense of what she should pursue after high school although it didn’t take long for her to find out that she excelled in retail. After 5 promotions in 5 months, she was managing her own store in another state by the age of 20! Next came a move to Southern California where she lived

Mar 17, 2021 • 1:16:12

Christine – From Retail, to Public Relations, to Wine Tours

Christine – From Retail, to Public Relations, to Wine Tours

#26 – Christine Dainard is in a vastly different place now than she was when she left high school in her teens. After not getting her diploma, she became a top 10 salesperson, nationwide, for a Canadian exercise equipment retailer. It wasn’t because she was really good at convincing people to buy things - Christine was just really good at understanding people’s needs and with her friendly and energetic personality, she was able to find solutions to their problems. After having a child and going

Mar 10, 2021 • 1:09:39

Lindsay – From Insurance to Podcast Creator

Lindsay – From Insurance to Podcast Creator

#25 - Composer, voice actor, sound designer, host. These are some of the words you can use to describe what Lindsay Graham does in his current career as a full-time podcast creator. He's the man behind American History Tellers, American Scandal, Business Movers, and many other hit podcasts that are part of the Wondery network, however, podcasting has really only comprised the last handful of years of Lindsay's career. Prior to that, he worked in insurance sales, marketing, accounting,

Mar 3, 2021 • 1:18:54

Priyanka - From Diesel Engines to Technology Consulting

Priyanka - From Diesel Engines to Technology Consulting

#24 – Early in her professional career in India, Priyanka Ojha has moved around a lot. It started when she got her degree in mechanical engineering and was quickly recruited by Bosch to work in their diesel engine pump division. But one year into that career, Priyanka decided to expand her professional credentials and began a Masters of Business Administration in Finance. That led her to jobs in business development and employee engagement before she packed up to move again – this time to German

Feb 24, 2021 • 56:46

Ivan – From Commerce to Vocal Coach

Ivan – From Commerce to Vocal Coach

#23 – Ivan Lu was driven by respect and competition to follow in his brother’s footsteps in a corporate career. To make that dream a reality he decided to get a degree in Commerce, something that would provide him with a variety of opportunities when he graduated. While in university, his internships/co-op experiences helped him realize that some of what he was studying was just not that interesting. He did not want to sit in a room and crunch numbers so upon graduating he tried to find a job wi

Feb 17, 2021 • 45:58

Chris – From Diamond Sales to Skate Shop Owner

Chris – From Diamond Sales to Skate Shop Owner

#22 – Chris Johnson has an idyllic life working at his own skate shop, Passion Board Shop, in Eau Claire Wisconsin. But when he was 18, life didn’t look like it was heading in that direction. With an interest in sales, Chris decided to study business at the University of Minnesota Duluth but quickly decided the degree was unnecessary. As he had learned working at a Zoomies store in his teens, you just had to be a good salesperson to succeed in sales, and that is what he wanted to do. Chris set o

Feb 10, 2021 • 1:03:32

Scott – From Law, to Silk Screen Printing, to Small Business Consulting

Scott – From Law, to Silk Screen Printing, to Small Business Consulting

#21 – Raised in rural Kansas, Scott Mason would look up at the stars at night and dream of two things – disco and the big city! After finishing his undergraduate degree in Minneapolis, Scott was accepted into Columbia Law School and was quickly trying to find his place in New York. Upon realizing that his passion lay more in advocacy work, and not in litigation, he began working for the City of New York. During his 20-year career there he was involved in numerous projects and initiatives that he

Feb 3, 2021 • 1:11:56

Sarabeth – Career Hybridity from Art to Innovation

Sarabeth – Career Hybridity from Art to Innovation

#20 – From switching schools in undergrad to working in the Bahamas, to living in 4 states before she was 30, moving around was never something that held Sarabeth Berk back. She had never been afraid of change, from the moment she decided to shift away from her plan of working with computers in university. Instead, she went in an entirely opposite direction and studied art. Upon graduating, she loved the creativity working as an art teacher gave her and found roles that she enjoyed. At the same

Jan 27, 2021 • 1:09:45

Josh – The Lawyer Who Tried to Avoid Law

Josh – The Lawyer Who Tried to Avoid Law

#19 -   Growing up near London, England, Josh De Luna decided to study law in university, but not because he wanted to become a lawyer. He was busy trying to figure out who he was and how he fit into this world – law just seemed like a fun thing to study along the way that would also appease his parents' wishes. Upon graduating, Josh left for an adventure in Brazil, volunteering for an environmental NGO, but many months later he decided to come home when the lifestyle wasn’t a good fit.  Th

Jan 20, 2021 • 1:14:41

Yemi – Accounting to Economics, In Three Countries

Yemi – Accounting to Economics, In Three Countries

#18 - Growing up in Nigeria, Yemi Timson aspired to achieve greatness. Despite her parent's wishes that she become a doctor, she had an interest in accounting and economics and completed a diploma at the University of Jos. While considering further education in accounting, she began to look to the career of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Managing Director of the World Bank as a template for what she should aspire to be. A promotional video with jet skis from Eastern Mediterranean University c

Jan 13, 2021 • 1:17:01

Jonathan – Digital Marketing -> World Traveler -> Leadership Coach

Jonathan – Digital Marketing -> World Traveler -> Leadership Coach

#17 - When leaving high school, Jonathan Miller took the route that many would say leads to success; he went to Wilfrid Laurier University, did co-op, and graduated with a business degree. His co-op secured him a good starter job in Toronto and it seemed like, at 22, he was at the beginning of a long career in marketing.  But just over a year into his career, he took a trip that changed his perspective on what mattered. Upon returning, he quickly realized he wanted more of that adventure and wit

Jan 6, 2021 • 58:40

Ania – The Many Careers Before Interior Design

Ania – The Many Careers Before Interior Design

#16 – Ania’s career path has taken her many places. When she was in high school she wanted to be a lawyer but a guidance counsellor crushed that dream. When she wanted to go to fashion school in Los Angeles, the almighty dollar crushed THAT dream. After an amazing experience at Conestoga College, she finally settled into a career in business, however, a tragic loss led her to realize there was more to life than work. She began to look for something that would give her a better work-life balance

Dec 16, 2020 • 1:29:43

Tyler – Hockey Broadcaster With A Pit Stop

Tyler – Hockey Broadcaster With A Pit Stop

#15 – As a kid raised playing ball hockey on the streets of Toronto, Tyler Madarasz always knew he wanted to work in hockey. But when it came time to pick an education pathway to get him to his goal, Tyler wasn’t totally prepared.  He ended up picking a program that was not what he expected and quickly realized he needed to make a change. After getting advice from a family friend, he found his way to the College of Sports Media where he immediately fell in love with the program. During his diplo

Dec 9, 2020 • 50:17

Sen – From Surgeon to Healthcare Improvement Specialist

Sen – From Surgeon to Healthcare Improvement Specialist

#14 - While cultures around the world are different, parents are all the same; they want their children to have a good life, and a stable career can help make that happen.  That’s why Sen’s parents recommended that their son, a bright student, should become a doctor.  The world always needs doctors, in good times and bad, so Sen took their advice and ended up as a surgeon in his native China. After a government policy change pushed him away from surgery and into the role of Quality Care Speciali

Dec 2, 2020 • 58:04

Will – The Winding Road to Becoming a Youtuber and Twitch Streamer

Will – The Winding Road to Becoming a Youtuber and Twitch Streamer

#13 - Will Smyth (a.k.a ImperialJedi) didn’t always know he was going to be a Youtuber/Twitch streamer, but he did have ambitions to do something grand or different. Racecar driver? Radio host? He couldn't settle on one thing, so when he had to pick a path out of high school, he decided to attend the University of Guelph. The plan was to work in either law or law enforcement, but an ‘existential crisis’ led to him abandoning that idea. While taking some time off from school, he stumbled upo

Nov 25, 2020 • 49:25

Kait – From Fashion, to Marketing, to Human Resources

Kait – From Fashion, to Marketing, to Human Resources

#12 - Kait’s journey to her current career took her through a winding road in her late teens and early 20’s.  She tried multiple educational paths and finally settled on fashion as her career of choice.  But the path to being a Merchandising Manager was bumpy, and she turned to a more stable office administration role where she thrived.  With a constant urge to better herself, and with the support of her colleagues and friends, she moved across the country, again, to begin a marketing program at

Nov 18, 2020 • 1:16:02

Brandon – From Passion for Polymers to Savvy at Sales

Brandon – From Passion for Polymers to Savvy at Sales

#11 - Brandon was always good at chemistry and had plans to invent new materials after getting a university chemistry degree. But as university wrapped up, he realized that he did not want a future filled with lab work, so what to do? His university experience gave him the skills and the drive to work with people, so after some deep reflection, he decided a job in sales would make him happy. Utilizing the Wilfrid Laurier University Career Centre, he found a local start-up that seemed like a grea

Nov 11, 2020 • 1:13:18

Zahra – Channeling her Creativity as an Author and Marketer

Zahra – Channeling her Creativity as an Author and Marketer

#10 - Zahra can trace her creative streak back to her time as a child, when she created products to sell to her friends.  After planning to work her way into a career in psychology, she realized that she was more interested in understanding what people want. Upon the advice of a friend and some reflection, she realized that the aspect of selling those childhood products she enjoyed the most was not inventing them, but convincing friends of their value. A career in marketing seemed like the perfe

Nov 4, 2020 • 49:37

Heather - Social Work to Social Parenting

Heather - Social Work to Social Parenting

#9 - As a good student in high school, Heather Patel did not have an exact goal in mind when she decided to attend the University of Waterloo.  Three degrees later she had found her calling; helping others as a social worker. With a busy career and three children, the idea of having a place where parents could come together to decompress and learn from one another all while their children were entertained, was appealing. Thus, Heather’s side-hustle Play-A-Latte was born. Hear the whole story her

Oct 28, 2020 • 51:17

Ronak – From Biomedical Sciences, to Marketing, to Entrepreneur-Barista

Ronak – From Biomedical Sciences, to Marketing, to Entrepreneur-Barista

#8 - A young Ronak Patel was practical, so a career working with computers seemed like a smart decision.  When he realized the passion wasn't there, he pivoted to working towards becoming an optometrist but again the passion was missing.  After taking an economics course, he found his lane and worked towards his passion for marketing, entrepreneurship, and connecting with people.  After a decade of honing his craft in a variety of jobs, Ronak and his wife decided to strike out on their own

Oct 21, 2020 • 1:15:19

Brendon - The Politician or The Priest

Brendon - The Politician or The Priest

#7 - Brendon Bedford knew what he wanted; the perfect middle-class life and the chance to make a difference in the world. After finding a happy place working in politics, an opportunity arose to work at the university he called home for 4 years. He jumped at the chance for a more stable work-life balance and he finally had everything he wanted; a stable career, a house with a picket fence, and a loving wife and daughter. And yet, something was missing. One day something hit him - literally - and

Oct 14, 2020 • 1:12:43

Aatir - Fixing People's Problems For A Living

Aatir - Fixing People's Problems For A Living

#6 - Aatir got his first job at 15 years old and has not taken a break from working since. When he attended the University of Waterloo, the first thing he did was get an on-campus job, which led him to consider a career at the University's Office of Advancement.  But his real crossroad moment came during the winter break after his first term, where he went to an interview for a summer job that would change his life.  When you know the path to your dream job, does school matter anymore? List

Oct 7, 2020 • 52:50

Rachel - From History Degree to Occupational Therapist

Rachel - From History Degree to Occupational Therapist

#5 - From a young age, Rachel Peters watched her mom's surgery videotapes, so a passion for medicine was always there. But after deciding to get an undergraduate degree in history, how does someone end up in a career as an Occupational Therapist?  Rachel's story involves an overseas graduate school and work rotation that sparked her interest in becoming a neuro-specialist. After studying and working abroad for 7 years, she moved back to Canada in 2019 to continue her career. Let's

Sep 30, 2020 • 1:04:35

Corey – Wanted Stability but had Six Jobs in Six Years

Corey – Wanted Stability but had Six Jobs in Six Years

#4 - As a high schooler, Corey didn’t have a concrete idea of what he wanted.  Get a job?  Get a house?  That sounded like a plan, and a STEM degree seemed like a good way to make that happen.  After a year of teaching abroad, he came back to Canada and was able to put his French language skills to work at a call centre for an auto manufacturer.  What he calls ‘luck’ led to regular movement within the same company doing wildly different jobs. Was six jobs in six years the stability he was lookin

Sep 23, 2020 • 1:11:01

Nadia –Nurse/Cop/Community Centre Director?  Nope. Student Affairs.

Nadia –Nurse/Cop/Community Centre Director? Nope. Student Affairs.

#3 - Nadia Rosemond had a lot of ideas about her future when she was in high school.  Influenced by family and popular television shows, it ended up being her friends who set her on the path to her future while attending the University of Guelph.  Nadia’s story includes both “OMG, I want to do this” moments as well as “what have I DONE” moments.  Take a listen to hear how she has ended up working in a field she didn’t even know existed until she applied for a student job. ______________________T

Sep 16, 2020 • 1:05:55

Robbie - From Auto Manufacturer, to Blacksmith, to Massage Therapist

Robbie - From Auto Manufacturer, to Blacksmith, to Massage Therapist

#2 - Robbie Berardi 's story of becoming a skilled blacksmith starts when he graduated high school with plans to work at his local gas station. With a number of twists and turns along the way, he was able to train under master blacksmith's in Germany and the United Kingdom. A number of injuries from a variety of jobs kick-started his interest in health and he is now pivoting to take on a new challenge as a Massage Therapist. Take a listen to his story.______________________To support C

Sep 9, 2020 • 1:15:24

Carissa - Music Teacher or University Recruiter?

Carissa - Music Teacher or University Recruiter?

#1 - Carissa walks through her journey of delaying the start of university to find out what she really wanted. After an amazing university experience, two careers tugged at her heartstrings, but for very different reasons.  One path is a little wider now but the other certainly isn't closed.  Carissa shares what influenced her to pick the one that has helped her combine what she loves from both after balancing them separately for many years.______________________To support Career Crossroads

Sep 9, 2020 • 1:05:37

Introducing Career Crossroads

Introducing Career Crossroads

In this 8 minute introductory episode, host Jonathan Collaton explains what Career Crossroads is all about.  He explains where the concept came from, what the show's format is, and his personal rationale for creating the podcast. This is the best place to start listening to find out if the show is for you!______________________To support Career Crossroads, click hereTo leave Career Crossroads a review, click hereYou can find Career Crossroads at careercrossroadspodcast.com or follow us on s

Sep 9, 2020 • 7:56

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