Career Buzz

On Career Buzz, we’re stepping into one of the biggest questions facing Canada, the U.S., and every advanced economy navigating digital transformation:
How do we redesign the bridge from education to employment?
Ryan Craig, is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners, a US firm investing in the future of learning and earning. Ryan has been tracking and forecasting these shifts for more than a decade. He’s the author of the insightful Gap Letter, and three books:
College Disrupted, on the unbundling of higher education and competency based hiring
A New U, examining faster and cheaper last mile pathways into digital careers
Apprentice Nation, a compelling case for scaling apprenticeships as a stronger and fairer alternative to traditional post-secondary programs
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

We explore the plight of the homeless in downtown Toronto with Stephen Armstrong and Bob Duff, by focussing on the St Simons Shelter in Cabbagetown. “The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest and most helpless citizens”…. Abraham Lincoln. “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi
 
Guest BioOur guest today is Bob Duff who was a guest in 2017, and again in 2023. Bob is the executive director of the St Simons Shelter for the homeless in the Cabbagetown area of downtown Toronto – now located in the Isabella Hotel. Bob shared his personal story of his trajectory from Bay Street family man, to homelessness, to becoming a tireless front-line worker with the downtown homeless population. He holds Degrees: B.A. in journalism from Ryerson University, and a MA economics from University of Ottawa, and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University Florida.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On this episode of Career Buzz, host Mark Franklin interviews Max Robinson, a lifelong wind enthusiast, water athlete, and coach who turned his early spark for windsurfing into a world-class career. From the shores of Georgian Bay to the Wingfoil World Tour, Max has flown across oceans, competed at the highest level, and returned home with a mission: to coach the next generation of riders and help others find their flow on the water. 
Tune in to hear Max’s story of passion, performance, reinvention — and how the wind can shape not just your sport, but your whole career.  
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

AI is rapidly transforming the aerospace industry, with Boeing recently deploying over 70 generative AI applications across engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance, positioning AI as a “co-pilot” to support human decision-making under supervision.  This shift marks a significant step in integrating AI into core aerospace operations, enhancing productivity, safety, and innovation across the value chain.  The global AI market in aerospace and defense was valued at US$22.45 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$43.02 billion by 2030. Join Stephen Armstrong and Dominique Spragg in this discussion.
 
Guest BioDominique Spragg is an accomplished leader in the aerospace industry, specializing in integrated operations, business development and sustainable technologies. With experience ranging from CEO roles in sustainable aviation startups to strategic planning and operations management, Dominique has made significant contributions across North America, Europe, Russia, and China. Dominique is currently consulting in the sustainable aviation space, with companies ranging from Advanced Air Mobility (AMM) start-ups to Fortune 100 multi-national companies exploring alternative propulsion and sustainable aviation fuels.  Dominique’s holds an Aerospace Engineering degree, an MBA, and an IFR pilot Private Pilot License.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Join Hoda for conversations that boost your career literacy. In this episode, Manana Jaworska shared, “I believe it’s possible for everyone to find a career that enables them to live a life that they want”. Do you agree? Dr Alan McAlpine told us how he finds value in writing his goals down and checking on them regularly. Do you think writing your goals down will help you accomplish them?
 
Guest 1 Bio
Manana Jaworska, a career transition coach and freelance frontend engineer. Manana has made two career transitions herself: from psychology to engineering, and then to coaching. She is passionate about helping people find work that makes them happy and fulfilled. You can follow Manana on Instagram @careerchangeguide and on LinkedIn.
 
Guest 2 Bio
Dr Alan McAlpine, Deputy Director of Student Success at Curtin University, Australia, Dr Alan McAlpine.
Dr Alan is a tragic 70’s music rock lover, he enjoys playing his guitar (badly) and sings in a (non performing) band – The Geriatrics. As much as he would like to focus on his music, that doesn’t pay the bills. 
His portfolio comprises Careers and Employability and a Social Impact Hub. He has over 20 years’ experience in the career development field and has been involved nationally and internationally for many years through his involvement in NAGCAS (National Association of Graduate Career Advisory Services), where he is currently National President. 
Alan's extensive experience includes past roles such as Associate Director, Student Success at QUT and Careers and Employment Manager for over a decade. He serves on the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) Executive Committee and chairs the board of Graduate Careers Australia.  
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Humans have difficulty knowing what to want.
Have you ever wanted something - a certain food, a job - gotten it, then realized you don't like what you wanted? There's a technical term for that - it's called "Miswanting."
According to researchers Dan Gilbert and Tim Wilson, Miswanting happens when we poorly forecast what we'll actually like. "Wanting" is a prediction we'll like what we want, but so often we don't. Miswanting is a common problem we humans have, therefore knowing why it happens and how to avoid it can be a very helpful when you're considering different careers, and in career counselling.
So many people want a job where they can "help people" and "make a difference." We hear it frequently in our CareerCycles practice. But when it comes to generating possibilities people hit a wall.
Mark met Christine Nam, a new car delivery specialist, and noticed how much she loves helping people on a happy day when they get into their new car for the first time. After working in retail for years, Christine thought she'd move up to auto sales. In which she thrived. Yet, despite the better money, she left that role to work as a delivery specialist where she likes making a difference and helping people. 
Tune in to this episode, where you'll hear Christine's story - an illustration of learning what to want, and repairing past miswants.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

In this episode with Hoda Kilani, the guests shared spectacular stories that showed them stepping out of their comfort zones. You could almost feel Nerel’s passion to support every student transitioning from high school to college or career. What did you think of his approach? Katherine reminded us that we have more strengths, we’ve achieved more than we give ourselves credit and it’s important that we just stop, look back, take stock and celebrate what we’ve achieved. How often do you stop and reflect on your accomplishments? Share your thoughts.
 
Guest 1 Bio
Nerel Winter is the CEO and Founding Principal of Bostonia Global, a TK-14 school model dedicated to creating personalized learning experiences that connect students’ strengths, interests, and values to their future goals. 
Drawing on his passion for school redesign and global learning, Nerel has collaborated with schools nationwide to develop innovative educational experiences. He has extensive experience working in dual and multilingual learning models, with a focus on student advocacy and connecting passions to global understandings. 
Born and raised in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Nerel’s personal experiences with opportunity gaps, along with his work in school redesign and student advocacy, have led him to develop a thriving college and career coaching business. Through this venture, he passionately supports high school and college students in navigating the often-overwhelming transition from high school to college or career, offering personalized guidance that empowers them to connect their unique strengths and passions to a successful and fulfilling future. Information regarding his work can be found at nerelwinter.com.
 
Guest 2 Bio 
Katherine Jennick is a UK-based Career Development Professional, Mentor, and Educator. 
In 2019, she founded What's your strength? ®, which started as a card activity to empower teenagers and has since evolved into a series of award-winning resources for all ages that are used in 16 countries. Katherine’s innovative work has been recognised by the Department of Education, and she has been shortlisted for CDI Careers Adviser of the Year and two business startup awards. 
Her resources are recommended by National Careers Week, the CDI, and The Careers and Enterprise Company. Katherine also offers 1:1 career guidance for young people and delivers collaborative creative workshops to a variety of audiences. She is the co-architect of the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign and a passionate advocate for the career development sector.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

When you lose your job, do you need resume-writing tips & job interview best practices?
 
Or, do you need an empathetic sherpa to guide you through the stages of grief, so that when you land your next job, you are prepared for success?
 
Born and raised in sunny San Diego, Steve Jaffe began his writing journey at San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication. After a 25-year career in advertising and marketing—including work on the iconic “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” advertising campaign—he has returned to his writing roots. His new book is “The Layoff Journey From Dismissal to Discovery: Navigating the Stages of Grief After a Job Loss”.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Stephen Armstrong and Fail Vanstone explores how a humanities education can help us understand not just the systems we live in, but what it means to live well within them. From art and literature to ethics and philosophy, we’re looking at how stories, emotions, and imagination connect us- to each other, to our world, and to ourselves.  So, if the Humanities help us understand what it means to be human, how do they shape the ways we express that humanity -through creativity, emotion, and imagination? And in the age of AI do humanities even play a bigger role or is humanities under threat.
 
Guest BioProfessor Gail Vanstone is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at York Uni, Toronto and coordinates the Humanities Program. She works at the intersection of feminist theory and women’s documentary film production. Her ongoing research frames women and the stories they tell as powerful critical tools for understanding women’s experience in a world where their voices are often muted. She is author of many Published essays including “D is for Daring (2007)”, a history of Studio D, feminist film unit at Canada’s National Film Board; and, with Brian Winston and Wang Chi, “The Act of Documenting (2017)”.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Join Hoda and her guests for conversations that boost your career literacy. In this episode, Dr Marilyn Maze suggested that we should “just ask AI” during our job exploration. Do you use AI in your career exploration? Dr Steve elaborated on the statement, “if you want to change performance, change the audience”. Did his explanation help you envision how you can enhance the work you do? Share your thoughts.
 
Guest 1 Bio
Dr Marilyn Maze is the Financial Administrator of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA). In her previous role as Executive Director of APCDA, Dr Marilyn organized the annual APCDA Conference since its inception. She has conducted numerous research projects on significant labor market and career counseling issues, and presented at international conferences. 
Dr. Maze is a Fellow of the National Career Development Association and she received NCDA’s Eminent Career Award in 2022, the NCDA President’s Award in 2016, and the NCDA Credentialing Commission Service Award in 2016. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maryland Career Development Association in 2010. Dr. Maze formerly developed the ACT Profile (previously called DISCOVER).
 
Guest 2 Bio 
Dr Steve Regur, the founder and CEO of Educators Cooperative, leading ground breaking projects to provide more opportunities for students. From developing global career readiness initiatives to maximizing collaborative learning networks, Steve transforms lofty ideas into sustainable, impactful results. 
Steve has been in the job of school transformation for over 25 years working across the U.S. and internationally. He has co-founded nine schools, led multi-million-dollar grant projects, and is now launching the Career Connected Schools network.
 
For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.comFor gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!