Noteworthy Networks: A UCA Career Services Podcast

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Drew Gainor, Managing Director & Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual. Drew shares how he started out his career in finance, what resume and interview best practices to keep in mind, and how company culture and finding the right fit, really does matter. Listen to learn about the company culture at Northwestern Mutual, what your future could look like working there, how to get started in the finance industry, and more!

Drew is an alumnus of UCA’s class of 2010, having earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. He and his wife, Lauren, love to give back by staying philanthropically involved. Drew also has 2 boys, Grayson & Davis. Would you like to contact Drew? See how below.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Courtney Leach, Executive Director of Community Connections, about what her career journey has been like, what the nonprofit "Community Connections" does, opportunities for students to volunteer and intern with the organization, and more! Listen in, if nonprofit work is something you’re interested in, how to develop skills and share them on your resume and in your interviews, why making a difference can give you so much purpose in your life and career, and more!

Courtney is an alumna of UCA, having earned her Bachelors’ Degree in Public Relations and Masters’ degree in College Student Personnel Administration both in 2004. She left distribution management to begin serving as the executive director of Community Connections in 2008 when her middle son, Alex, was born with a chromosome deletion. Would you like to contact Courtney? See how below.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Allison Nicholas, the Director of Recruiting at Metova Inc. Allison comes from an extensive background that combines 30 years of experience in higher education and the telecommunication, big data and high-tech industries. Allison shares how students can prepare their resumes, interviewing tips, the career opportunities available at Metova, the ability to move into different roles in the company, and more. Listen to hear inside information about what working for Metova might be like, how to prepare for an interview and make your resume stand out by showcasing projects you’ve done, and more!

Allison has served in a number of leadership roles at the national, state and local level with such organizations as NACE, SWACE and AACE.  She has also served on a variety of boards including the Arkansas STEM Coalition, the Arkansas Academy of Computing and as a founding member of Ecofest. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Public Relations from Mississippi State University and is an alumna of UCA’s class of 1987, having earned her Master of Science Degree in Counseling in College and Student Personnel Services in Higher Education. Would you like to contact Allison? See how below.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Nick Stevens, the Program Director at the Creative Institute. Nick shares more about how he got involved in nonprofit work, opportunities to align yourself in nonprofit work, and how to stand out if that’s where you want your career journey to go. Listen in to hear about Nick’s journey, the Creative Institute, what working in education and social change might look like for you, and more!

Nick is an alumnus of UCA’s class of 2014, having earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He then went on to earn a Master of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service in 2018. Would you like to contact Nick? See how below.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Tanner Chapman who is the Senior HR Manager for Cintas Corporation for the Central and Northeast Arkansas market. Tanner talks about targeting your resume to employers, doing your research about a company beforehand, and how to stand out from the crowd. Listen to learn key things you need on your resume and what you don’t need, how to prepare for interviews, career opportunities at Cintas, and more!

Tanner Chapman is an alum from UCA having earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish in 2001 and an MBA from UCA in 2002. He has both a PHR and SHRM certification for HR, and is a senior level HR manager supervising teams in three Cintas facilities which includes up to 350 employees/partners at any given time. Would you like to contact Tanner? See how below.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Mya Hall who is the current Student Government Association President at UCA for the 2021-2022 academic year. Mya talks about her experience with her internship with the Center for Community and Economic Development, the plans she has set out for the future, and why other students should take advantage of the resources Career Services has. Listen in to hear from a fellow student like yourself, why preparing for your career early matters, and more!

Mya is majoring in Philosophy and African/African-American Studies and minoring in Honors Interdisciplinary studies. She will graduate this May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCA. Would you like to contact Mya? See how below.

Season Two of the Noteworthy Networks Podcast will have an added spotlight on career readiness advice from “noteworthy” professionals who are alumni of the University of Central Arkansas. The professionals who you’ll hear from in Season Two will talk about what the hiring process is like at their companies, resume and interview best practices, what their career journeys have been, and more. Listen to a sneak peak of what Season Two will contain right now! Subscribe or follow on your chosen platform, so you won't miss when episodes for Season Two release.

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In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Corey Parks, the Vice President of Economic Development for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway Development Corporation. Corey shares how he works with employers and site selection consultants to create area jobs, provides statistical analysis of the regional economy, oversees talent and workforce development initiatives, and assists with the chamber’s government affairs agenda. Listen to learn what working for the Chamber of Commerce is like, to get inspired about finding a career you’re passionate about, the need to take on opportunities you never knew you might take, and more!

Corey Parks is an alumnus from the University of Central Arkansas, having earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Insurance & Risk Management in 2016 and Master of Business Administration in 2018. Corey is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED), designated by the Community Development Council, and is a graduate of the Community Development Institute and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Dr. Jeff Lambert, the Education Coordinator for Crisis Center North, a non-profit counseling and resource center for survivors of domestic violence located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jeff's role pertains to providing prevention education for youth and communities to inform them about services, resources, and learn how to develop healthy relationships. Dr. Jeff Lambert talks about his undergraduate and graduate background in Philosophy and how he truly had an interest in counseling and psychology as well as education during his studies. Listen to learn about community engagement, non-profit work, education, the importance of networking, using your skillset, and more!

Dr. Jeff Lambert is an alumnus from the University of Central Arkansas class of 2011, having graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies. From there he went on to graduate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a Masters in Philosophy in 2014 and a Doctorate in Philosophy in 2020.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Superintendent of Schools for Jacksonville North Pulaski School District and former Deputy Superintendent of Little Rock School District. Dr. Jeremy Owoh shares about his role in education and how educators are leading and shaping the students around them everyday. Listen to learn about what effective leadership should look like, the need for good educators and leaders, growing within education, and more!

Dr. Jeremy Owoh is an alumnus from the University of Central Arkansas class of 2003, having received his Bachelors of Science degree in Education, and then went on to earn a Masters of Science in Education from UALR in 2005, an Eds in Educational Administration from UALR in 2008, an EdD in Administrative Leadership from Walden University in 2011, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration, among several other certifications.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Tab Townsell, who served as the Mayor of the City of Conway, Arkansas for 18 years and is currently the Executive Director of Metroplan the Central Arkansas Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Tab Townsell shares his experience of previously being a politician, working with people to find common ground, and his passion for community development. Listen to learn about how to get involved in politics, how to start taking an interest in planning and development, why being involved in your community matters, and more!

Tab Townsell is an alumnus of the University of Central Arkansas class of 1984, having received his Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science. He then went on to receive his MBA at Texas Christian University in 1986.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Micaela Oeste, a professional opera singer engaged around the world who currently resides in Berlin, Germany.  Micaela’s schedule isn’t a typical 9-5, but she gets to see and go to places that are absolutely amazing and work with renowned opera singers. Micaela Oeste shares how she began her interest in music and singing, what COVID-19 has done to her ability to sing in the theatre, and how she trains her vocal chords to be prepared for a performance. Listen to hear what it’s like to be a professional opera singer, how to get started and stay motivated, to learn to be okay with criticism and failing, and more!

Micaela is an alumna from the University of Central Arkansas class of 2008 with a degree in music. She went on to attend Northwestern University receiving her Masters in vocal performance in 2010. Micaela has sung opera performances in places such as L.A Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Valencia opera in Spain, Opera Monte-Carlo in Monaco and Polish National Opera. She also does concerts with Placido Domingo which has taken her to places such as Japan, China, Turkey, Oman, Ireland, Austria, Russia and Ukraine.

In today’s episode, Breeanne Carter talks with Joel Lookadoo, Arkansas’ Teacher of the Year for 2020, and an eighth year educator in Arkansas’s Springdale School District. Joel Lookadoo talks about what being the Arkansas Teacher of the Year for 2020 was like, how other educators played a role in his growth as a teacher, and how networking is key to success. Listen to learn about how to become a better teacher, how to be coachable, how to make connections, and more!

Joel Lookadoo is an alumnus of the University of Central Arkansas class of 2013, having received his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University and is certified in English as a Second Language, PE/Health, and Building Administration.

Noteworthy Networks Podcast serves to bring the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) student body and any other listeners career readiness advice from prominent, or rather “noteworthy” professionals who are alumni of UCA. Through enlightening interviews, host and Assistant Director of Outreach in Career Services at the University of Central Arkansas, Breeanne Carter, will share career advice from noteworthy UCA Alumni professionals along the way. Different career tips and tricks, their key motivations, how they have risen to the top, and more will be discussed. Listen to hear teaser audio from 6 UCA alumni whose interviews will come out this Fall 2021: Joel Lookadoo, Tab Townsell, Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Dr. Jeff Lambert, Corey Parks, and Micaela Oeste. Subscribe now so you don't miss these interviews when they release.