That's a Job? Podcast with Nate Clayberg

Peter Hostrawser took full advantage of getting his Valpo University education paid to earn a degree in broadcasting but realized that wasn’t what he was wired for. Even though his father told him not to do it, he aspired to the classroom.

As an active high school business teacher, Peter has found that he isn’t a “check the box” teacher. He has taken a growth mindset to influence entrepreneurship methods to build skills and a portfolio to head into life after high school.

He believes that learning doesn’t end in school but continues throughout your life. He is taking learning from K to Gray.

And he has been called by his students as the Gary Vaynerchuk of education.

Follow Peter Hostrawser

How did we get through 40 episodes?  It began as an idea took off in 2022 to talk to people from around the globe in different professions has brought new stories and connections that have impacted a lot of listeners.

Talking to 15 different people over Season 3 also brought some essential advice about how your professional network is a trait that impacted each of these people’s lives personally and professionally. It also continues to hold through where people think they will be and doesn’t head that way in their work.

Season 3 will continue to have guests sharing their stories about their work and the pathways they followed to get there. But we will do more solo episodes where we will dive further into answering questions that students have asked me over the last year on developing their pathway in life after high school.

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Lindsay Leahy believed that going to college to go to college was the path she needed to be on when she enrolled at the University of Nebraska.  As classes began, she struggled to find the actual value in how she was spending her time. After a short stay in Lincoln, she ended up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She found a direction at Mount Mercy University that led her to opportunities to stay in Eastern Iowa. She gained experience in the financial services industry and the chamber of commerce but was still looking for more.

As a “builder” she has found that she is in her prime when helping to create and grow something or even someone.  That led her to found her company, the Restoration Project, where she supports people looking to take their life and leadership to the next level.

Loren Kelly was deadset on becoming a high school business teacher but realized how awesome yet challenging secondary education can be. Her husband is a Naval Aviator, so as a military spouse, she saw how her life would change based on their location domestically and abroad. Making these uncomfortable changes for two people from small midwest towns became a career advantage for both.

She set her sights on getting into higher education and evolved into working outside of the W2 world as a Career Coach, Career Consultant, and Resume writer. This career option developed when her family moved to the United Kingdom. It opened up opportunities for online connections and remote workshops and training.

Loren found that she was good at doing the career and training work even though she didn’t believe how good she was.  Once she reflected on that work and the success she had with engaging people in that work, she trusted herself to move her career forward.  Imposter syndrome became real because it was something she had not formally done before.  But her mentors helped her bring that vision they saw to reality.

Loren Kelly

In this episode, we talk to one professional who followed a pathway to purpose with a marketing focus and built a national company that focuses on serving its customers and having an engaging culture.

In his junior year at the University of Northern Iowa, Marc Reifenrath studied sales and advertising and decided to start an internet company with his friends as a resume builder. Unbelievably, the company was hugely successful and has grown for over 22 years, now employing 165 people. Spinutech is a web design company that focuses on high-end development.

Key takeaways— When leading a company, be open to change and create a positive work environment you want to work in. Spinutch never says, “that’s how we’ve always done it.”

0:47   High school and college

2:07   Starting business in college

6:46   Scaling Spinutech

10:40   Leadership and delegation

14:08   Finding talent

18:04   Company culture

21:35   Advice to young people

26:10   Spinutech

Marc Reifenrath

Stephanie Short is the Vice President of Partnerships at America Succeeds, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit policy-advocacy organization committed to improving education and preparing students to succeed in the workforce. 

She went into college as an undecided major and took a break from school to work in the real world at various jobs. She found that she was checking the boxes for others on her career path not to disappoint others. The increased anxiety made her feel like a failure and had a chip on her shoulder because she didn't take the straight path to a career. 

She discovered a passion for marketing and went back to school for marketing and business. Part of her work now is educating people on the importance of  “durable skills.”

Biggest Takeaway— We need to build students’ durable skills, so they can adapt to the changing work economy and succeed.

0:50   High school and college

3:30   Taking a break from college

9:34   First marketing jobs

11:14   Starting own consulting business

13:06   America Succeeds

16:00   Durable skills

20:04   Workforce shortage

23:30   How to teach kids durable skills

Stephanie Short

After Leon Costello graduated high school, he played basketball and studied exercise science at Loras College. Realizing he didn’t want to work in medicine, he got his masters in sports administration at Western Illinois University. 

Wanting to make a meaningful impact on students, Leon chose a career in college athletics over a career with a professional team.  Today, he loves his job as the Athletic Director at Montana State and credits his success to networking, personal connections, and sacrifice.

Key Takeaway— Sports careers are highly competitive and demand sacrifice. Leon’s first job as a university intern barely paid the bills, and had extremely long hours.

0:00   School days

2:52   Boston Celtics

5:00   University of Northern Iowa

10:15   Networking

14:10   Creating a positive atmosphere

17:20   Changes in college athletics

22:36   What is Division I?

25:54   Advice to younger self

29:15   Closing words

Leon Costello

On November 7, 2022, Nate Clayberg presented to nearly 40 instructors, counselors, and school administrators about taking CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) student associates from being prepared for their purpose to creating the Pathway to Purpose.

Nate presents questions to the high school seniors and juniors, "What questions do you have about planning your life after high school.?"

This question being asked more specifically than, "Do you have any questions?" actually brought out some great info that the CAPS programs will focus in on to support these young people before high school graduation.

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Amber Moore is the Executive Director of Client Services for LIFTinnovate, a customer success consulting, research, and technology development firm. Originally, Amber wanted to be a vet but decided to study business. After graduating with few job opportunities, she took a simple administration job she found on Craigslist at a consulting firm. Her hard work was quickly noticed, and she was hired and started moving up the ranks. She traveled the world with her boss and followed him when he started his firm. That company was then merged with LIFTinnovate, where she is now an Executive Director.

Key takeaway— Always do your best because you never know who’s watching.

0:36   High school

2:40   College experience

6:04   First real-world job

9:00   Traveling and consulting

13:10   Following boss to a new firm

15:25   Merging with LIFTinnovate

23:23   Stepping into the leader role

25:26   Remote work

27:09   Advice to younger self

Amber Moore

Connor Lotz participated in the CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) program while attending high school in Kansas, which sparked an interest in banking. He received a sizable scholarship and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia after sending a personal letter to the school. Before graduating, he was offered a position at Boeing as a procurement agent, purchasing aircraft parts. He has now been promoted to the position of proposal project manager. He is enrolled at Indiana University Kelly School of Business to begin a hybrid MBA program with a dual masters in strategic management.

Key takeaway/life skill— It doesn’t hurt to ask. Connor’s letter to the University of Missouri-Columbia admissions office saved him tens of thousands of dollars.

0:52   High school experience and CAPS

8:00   Deciding a college

15:00   Recruiter elevator speech

17:08   Boeing STAR method interview

19:25   Positions at Boeing

25:22   MBA program

28:35   Advice to college students

Connor Lotz

Megen DiSanto is the Senior Manager of Global Reputation Communications at Hyatt. Her love of writing and journalism has guided her diverse professional path. She interned for Jerry Springer and the Chicago Sun-Times in college. After ten years, she left her first job at OKW Architects to take a position as Executive Editor at Womanista, which CBS later acquired and renamed Pop Culture. She then worked in public affairs for Mcdonald's, and Hyatt now employs her.

0:45 High school and college

1:55 Internship at Sun-Times

3:55 After college

4:50 Interning at Jerry Springer Show

8:10 Value of internships

10:20 First role after college

13:35 Becoming Editor of Womanista in Nashville

17:12 Working at McDonald’s in public affairs

24:50 Current job at Hyatt

27:05 Advice to younger self

Megen DiSanto

Until he discovered professional coaching, Payne Schoen studied and worked in fields that didn’t resonate. He tried to work as an accountant and as a lawyer before realizing his passion for personal development. Now, he’s the Founder of Payne Schoen Consulting and guides professionals and leaders to achieve the unachievable.

1:05   Football and lawyer aspirations

4:30   Advice on accepting major

6:40   Finding the right job

9:44   Graduating in ’09

10:40   Personal and professional development

12:50   Professional coaching

16:00   John Wooden

20:10   Coaching clients

24:03   Who needs coaching

26:40   Connect with Payne

Payne Schoen, CPA

As the founder and president of One Spark Solutions, Katie Currens offers clients tailored coaching and training to reignite their sense of purpose. While participating in the Disney College Program, Katie learned useful skills, but after graduation, she felt a little lost. She returned to school, obtained a master's degree in education, and became a teacher. Now, as an educational consultant,  she serves as a link between staff, students, and leadership.

0:50   High school

4:08   Social anxiety disorder and depression

4:50   Majoring in Communication in College

7:22   Disney college program

14:25   First job after graduation

17:15   Getting Masters

22:12   Leaving education

23:40   One Spark Solutions

26:25   Connect with Katie

Katie Currens

Ian Evenstar is a design educator, branding consultant, and the CEO and Founder of UNINCORPORATED, the nation's #1 higher education agency. His upbringing in poverty motivated him to excel in school, earning him a full-ride scholarship to USC. Originally studying architecture, he switched to fine arts and pursued a career in design and branding. He continued to trust his gut and follow his dreams by starting his own agency and writing books.

0:35   Inspired by a billboard

2:40   Growing up low income

5:40   Full ride to USC

8:52   First art internship/job

10:34   Returning to USC

13:35   Jobs in design and art

15:40   Advice for an aspiring artist

17:20   Designing billiards and working at USC

21:20   Founding Unincorporated

22:00   Making amends with father

26:15   Ian’s books

Ian Evenstar

Elizabeth is an attorney specializing in witness prep, focus groups, and trial consulting. She studied at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and worked as an Associate Attorney for three years. In 2015, she decided to work for herself and opened her law firm in Austin. She helps busy lawyers around the country with their case strategies and hosts a podcast called “Trial Lawyer Prep.”

0:55    High school, college, law school

4:55    Law internships

8:05    Life of a lawyer

9:55    Opening own firm

13:45    Personal injury

15:35    Unusual case

17:15    Witness preparation coach

19:30    Legal focus groups

23:40    Advice for aspiring lawyers

28:42    Trial Lawyer Prep Podcast

30:10    Connect with Elizabeth

Elizabeth Larrick

Malibash, a multimedia and entertainment hiring platform, and show, was founded and is run by Ashley Durham. 

Ashely has had various fascinating side jobs and careers in the entertainment industry. She professionally modeled and acted, did post-production, dipped into interior design, worked for Pier 1, and became a tax specialist. 

Her experience working in the cut-throat media and entertainment industry motivated her to start Malibash to help others enter the field safely and find success.

1:05 High school and college,
4:10 Interior design, modeling, acting

5:55 Life is short
8:32 Validation and stability
9:56 Side/survival jobs
12:30 Starting company
16:30 Entrepreneurship
27:10 Connect with Ashley

Ashley Durham

Alex Boylan has had an exciting career in entertainment behind and in front of the camera as a TV host and producer. He and his best friend were the winning contestants of The Amazing Race Season 2. That experience piqued his interest in show business. 

He is now the Executive Producer and the Host of The College Tour TV series, visiting universities and showcasing students’ stories.

1:00    High school, college, upbringing

2:00    The Amazing Race

3:48    Career path in show biz

9:10    Work ethic in show business

12:50    The College Tour

18:40    Differentiating schools

23:40    Collaborating to tell a story

25:55    Experiential learning

28:20    Job opportunities

29:10    Watch The College Tour

Alex Boylan

Kristy Houle is a homeschool teacher, mother of three, children’s book author, publisher, podcast host, and educational consultant. After serving for many years as a teacher, administrator, and Principal in public schools, Kristi decided to put her family's needs first and stay home to homeschool. Her son with special learning needs to be served as the inspiration for her children's book, Quigley’s Questions.

1:00 High school experience

3:50 Pivoting into education

5:00 Hiring teachers
6:12 Teacher pathway and salary

8:15 Homeschooling

10:30 Prioritizing self and family
14:14 First year as a homeschooling

15:40 Juggling role of mom and teacher

21:25 Writing books
23:12 Educational outreach coordinator

24:30 Advice
28:46 Connect with Kristy

Kristy Houle

Noah Healy is a data scientist, software developer, and recreational mathematician from Charlottesville. In high school, Noah excelled in math and studied Nuclear Engineering at the University of Virginia. After college, amid the dot-com bubble, he taught himself about algorithmic construction and computers. Over the years, Noah has worked at various startups and video game companies as a data scientist and software programmer.

0:45 High school and college

3:27 Engineering Degree
4:36 First job as a programmer

9:57 Reading and self-teaching

12:36 Various jobs

14:12 Data analytics and data science

17:12 Gaps, challenges, poor infrastructure

21:20 Advice
23:45 Recreational mathematician

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, you get to meet Michelle Baker. Michelle started with a financial services company, but after 7 years it went out of business. It was after that that she feels that she was in the right place at the right time while exploring a job with Disney. Her career was launched as an operations manager with Disney Cruise Line, despite it being everything she didn’t think she was looking for. Michelle spent 17 years with The Walt Disney Company, including working as Director for Disney Institute.

Michelle gives us insight into the diverse careers that exist within a company like Disney, including what it is like leading people while at sea. She also shares the conversation with her son that lead to closing the chapter on her time at Disney and launching Stoneledge Enrichment. Now Michelle and her son AJ help develop aligned leaders that people want to work for so that jobs become careers again.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, I get to introduce you to someone I met quite a few years back when I was initially exploring entrepreneurship and had the idea of publishing a travel magazine.  Mike Hahn was working with small businesses at the University of Northern Iowa, and he helped me see that was not something I should pursue.

Mike is unusual as he knew as a teenager that he wanted to work with businesses and communities, and he has made a career in that work in Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

He talks in the podcast about how building durable skills and relationships are key to success, plus as he has seen in his work, don’t be afraid to try things and fail.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, you get to know Tim Schurrer. Tim began his Career Adventure thinking he would be the next John Mayer but then realized that singing and songwriting were not what he was wired to do. It turns out logistics and operations were the work that fit him.

In his journey, he discovered that he needed to redefine success and fame, and that success lay in giving assistance to those around him, and choosing a lifestyle over title and company brand was what he needed.

I was drawn to Tim through his work with Don Miller and Story Brand, a program I have been involved in for a number of years, and when I heard a recent interview with Tim on a podcast I had to connect with him.

His book The Secret Society of Success showcases the unsung heroes behind many famous brands and names that would not be what they are now if it wasn’t for them.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, you get to meet Daniel Alfon. He followed a past from believing he would be a judge in the legal system but then found that helping people go from point A to point B.  He saw that was the work he was wired to do, and that led to building a career in training.  Today he is an expert in helping people make the most of their Linkedin profile to help their careers and professions.

Daniel was drawn to LinkedIn during his career in business intelligence as he was investigating people to connect to within different companies around the globe.  LinkedIn cut the amount of time it took to find and connect with people for the sales role he had with the company he worked for.

He now trains people to better leverage their profile on the platform, not as a digital resume, but as a personal website to convert the reader to connect with you.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, you get to meet someone who, unknowingly, connected me to so many people that have had a big impact on my work and how I have found purpose.  Jody Maberry began his career as a Financial Analyst then went to work for the National Park Service and ended up hosting and producing podcasts for former Disney Parks leaders and has interviewed countless entrepreneurs.

He unpacks how an opportunity was created after interviewing former VP of Disney World Lee Cockerell turned into a whole new career for him, and how the COVID-19 Pandemic opened up more doors for Jody and his clients.  But you may be surprised he still aspires to be back as a leader in a park service.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, you get to meet Lauren Johnson. I met Lauren at the Brand You Live event in Denver, Colorado in April 2022 through Mike Kim.

Lauren thought she would get into Physical Therapy coming out of high school. Still, when a career-ending soccer injury happened, gaining her fifth concussion,  she discovered that the body is not the only thing that needs therapy after an injury.  The mental health challenges around athletic injuries can be challenging for athletes to recover from.

She prided herself on executing the right things as a player and takes that mentality into her profession. The characteristics that made her a good soccer player: work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to learn at a high level translate very well to the real world.

Those traits took her to the New York Yankees as a mental performance coach before she launched into leading her own company.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, I get to introduce you to someone who has been key in expanding the network of people I know, Bari Richter. Bari had aspirations for vet school but found that the academic path wasn’t for her, but on her way to finding her sweet spot in helping business owners, she studied psychology and business. In that Career Adventure, she found the traits she looked for in hiring people was an overall good attitude, but they needed to be willing to learn, contribute and be a team player.  If that was the case, they would be successful under her leadership.

We learn about her path into the Casino business and out of it, that is when she found where she is supposed to be, and it includes networking for others, not just for herself.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, we talk to a former engineer now turned coach, that found her way to helping others now after having some great experiences in a very technical profession. However, she learned that technical skills do not prepare you for leadership roles as you climb the company ladder.

We will listen to Tara’s account of how others had plans and ideas for her life that she followed. From being told to be an engineer because she was good at math and the path that took.

She did find purpose in her work overseeing many Dams in the western part of the US, but she wondered if she was an imposter or fraud when she was placed in some roles.  She had to act qualified to do them, not for others, but for herself.

A feeling that many of us tend to have in our professions.

The links to reference from this episode:

Meet Alvin Cowan is the guest on this episode, and it was great to meet him through a mutual connection and to hear his Career Adventure from being a quarterback at Yale and not wanting to follow the “usual’ path of those alumni to work on Wall Street or for a U.S. Senator. He still had NFL aspirations, but that didn’t pan out for him.

That took him to Romania and Eastern Europe where he discovered an interest in show producing through some questionable business practices that sent him to California to pursue acting, although he had no previous experience.

Once he was able to take off the “armor” his acting coach told him he had, he found some traction in that work and even shot a scene in the Clint Eastwood movie American Sniper with Bradley Cooper.

As with football, he found acting was a passion he had, but he found a real purpose in the work behind the camera in the writer's room.

He has had recent success with his podcast American Coyote, a story that gave me a real insight into some innovations happening in Hollywood and has given Alvin a pathway to his dream job.

The links to reference from this episode:

Many of my guests I met while they were in their careers.  In this episode, you get to meet Amanda Lynch, a family friend that I knew as a teenager and followed her life after high school to collegiate swimming at the University of Northern Iowa, and then see her make a choice to move on from the pool to discover life in exercise science and into a world that has helped many seniors live healthier lives through the Fortified Life with the Western Home Communities.

We talk about mental health, making tough choices, and taking advantage of opportunities that don’t always happen as soon as you want them to.

The links to reference from this episode:

This is a treat for me, as I get to bring one of my career mentors in broadcasting, Bill Jordan, on the podcast.  I met bill in 1996 when I interned for Bill & Sheri in the Morning on Mix 101.5 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  That experience took me away from Iowa to face reality on my own. Not only did I learn a tremendous amount of things about radio, but I also met Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish.

In this episode, I get to introduce you to Matt Kroeger, a former college admissions leader, then a part of a start-up micro-scholarship company and now recruits college students to register themselves to be donors to the National Bone Marrow Program through Be the Match.

Matt says it’s never too late to try something new.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, we meet Ben Killoy and get to learn how a bouncy house took him to the Marine Corp. Then how the Marine Corp took him on a journey of learning a trade, which then has led him to a revelation on how electricity is energy and how people are energy too.

This led him to find a new life with his family after being let go from his job as an engineer. Now he is helping Dad’s everywhere do better.

The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, from a dream of being a dancer, Debby's life then moved forward to business school.  She found that business operations was the path for her, and spent many years working the late shift for a printing company.  She knew that life didn't sit right for her, but she thought that a role in management will make her more engaged, even after getting a master's degree. But her work experience didn't get any better, especially when you have to cut budgets and cut workers loose.

But she found a way out of that world when she started listening to her body when it said something didn't feel right. Then she found her purpose as a Dream Pollinator, helping people actually discover the dreams that help people feel the way they should day in and day out.

.The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, we learn the pathway of a former NCAA College Basketball player to a world he never thought he would cross after sports.

My friend Adam Viet and I met in the early 2000s while I was working at the University of Northern Iowa in Athletic Marketing, and Adam was coming off the bench to shoot 3-pointers for the Panthers.  We connected back a few years ago when he found the world of employment recruitment after discovering that personal training (exercise science major) and a call center job in the insurance industry were not for him.

Adam will tell you that communication and being a proactive "go-getter" are what employers are looking for in today's job market.  He will give you tips in this episode on how to show that in an interview.

.The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, we get to hear about a world of work that I would be confident in saying no one thinks much about, but you should.  

With almost 30 years of experience in the profession of Food Science, Jennifer Lindsey (VP Global Marketing at Corbion) charts through the process from going through college on a medical path to one day being a part of designing butter for movie theater popcorn and formulating methods for the ready to eat rice crispy treats.

In this episode, we get a lesson on how to spend rich people's money with Eric Engelmann.  Eric went from his plan of engineering to starting a business in web development and investing start-ups as a venture capitalist and mentor to entrepreneurs.  Plus his commitment to growing his business was rewarded with a trip around the world with his family. 

.The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, we get to know Aaron Buzza.  We go back to my days in college athletics at the University of Northern Iowa and his role in sports tourism. He relocated his family from Iowa to Macon, Georgia to attract people through sports and Film & TV production to that area.  We get to learn more about the job behind the scenes when it comes to bringing people to visit a community.  Even Ron Howard and his clementines.

.The links to reference from this episode:

In this episode, I begin with life after being fired and find a whole new world of work away from broadcasting and athletics.  Two areas that I hold degrees in. On my way to finding my IKIGAI

.The jobs featured in this episode:

• Business Travel Sales - Shorts Travel
• Fund Development Coordinator - Sartori Health Care Foundation
• Executive Director - Buchanan County Economic Development Commission
• Director of Business Retention & Expansion - Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber (now Grow Cedar Valley)
• Substitute School Bus Driver - Jesup Community School District
• Announcer - J-Hawk Sports Network/ Heartland Technology
• Announcer - ESPN3/ ESPN+ for UNI Women's Basketball & Softball
• Host - J-Hawks On the Move
• Entrepreneurship - need10 Solutions & Media
• Future Bus Driver/ Boat Driver - Walt Disney World

In this episode, I begin with my life after getting married and head to a new location, to start a new job. Let's just say it didn't go as planned.

The jobs featured in this episode:

• Advertising Sales - AM 600 WMT Radio
• Copier & Fax Sales - Shelton Technology
• Announcer (PT) - Z102.9 KZIA Radio
• Radio Show Producer, Sports Reporter - Sports Radio 910 WRNL Radio
• Graduate Assistant (External), Broadcast Services, Women's Basketball Radio Play-by-Play - Virginia Commonwealth University Athletics
• Assistant Director for Development and Marketing, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Promotions - University of Northern Iowa Athletics

Welcome aboard for Episode Zero of the That’s a Job? podcast

The foundation for this podcast is to showcase jobs and professions that many people may not know, or really don't know what kind of work is done in those roles.

This podcast is about piquing the interest of people about jobs, professions, vocations, or lines of work that they haven’t heard of. Or even jobs you have heard of, but don’t really know what they are.

I have seen all kinds of jobs, and I have had probably more than my fair share of jobs too. Some you will know, others you won’t.  I can tell you I didn’t know about some of the ones I ended up in as I was on my Career Adventure.

We only know what we know, and we don't know what we don't know. You probably have a pretty good idea of what teachers, doctors lawyers, bus drivers, pastors, and website developers do. But what do perfusionists, data analysts, art therapists, doulas, food scientists, and ocularists do in their work?

This show will introduce you to jobs, careers, and work that many people don't really know about and how people get into that role.

Enjoy the journey, and subscribe to this podcast That’s a Job? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.