Career Buzz

Join Hoda and her guests as they bring Career Literacy to life through real stories and lived experiences. Liv Pennie challenges us to rethink traditional career education, noting that for many adults, their school‑based career experience “is often a really negative reflection… wrapped up in one bucket of careers.” How would you describe your own experience? You’ll also hear from high school student Christopher Ibarra, who shares how meaningful career learning shaped his future. As Christopher puts it: “Education can change us — who we are and what we wanna do in the future… you’re opening a new chapter in your life that you never knew you could have opened.” If education can open chapters we never knew were possible, what chapter might a young person be waiting to discover? Reflect and share. Guest 1 Bio In 2017, Liv started BECOME Education to reimagine careers education. She holds an MA in Psychology and a Postgrad in Career Development. She spent 15 years in advertising, digital product and experience design. Liv brings together these worlds of academia and innovation to close the gap between evidence and practice in careers education. BECOME Education’s work transforming careers education in schools has been recognised by the OECD as an example of global best practice. Guest 2 Bio Christopher is a high school student who has experienced career education firsthand. I will read his bio as he shared it with me. Hello everyone, my name is Christopher Vargas Ibarra! I am a senior at Bostonia Global High which is a competency-based school. My goal is to become an automotive technician and I have previous experience by having a pre-apprenticeship at the San Diego Automotive Museum where me and my co-workers restored a 1966 Ford Mustang to life after 25 years of it sitting. I also was at the City of El Cajon: Fleet Services where I serviced fire trucks, police cruisers, utility trucks, and more!

Join Hoda for amazing discussions that boost your career literacy. Lili Foggle highlighted, “just about anybody can learn to interview successfully”. How confident are you in your ability to successfully interview? Urmi Hussein shared, “Your personal brand is portable, no matter where you go, you always have your brand”. How intentional are you about developing your brand? Listen, comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest 1 Bio TikTok @yourinterviewcoach Lili Foggle is the winner of the Momentum Awards 2025 Top Specialty Coach from The Modern Coach, and holds interview coaching certifications from Career Thought Leaders and the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. She has taught hundreds of her one-on-one clients—as well as many of her over 70,000 TikTok followers—how to deliver effective and confident answers in job interviews. Her proven, data-driven communication techniques help candidates stand out in a competitive field and secure the offer. Through the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, she provides interview skills training and mentoring to other career coaches. Lili is a passionate advocate for the power of interview skills to transform careers and lives. She believes that with training and practice, anyone can learn to give authentic interview answers that get the job. Guest 2 Bio Instagram @storiesbeyondborderspodcast Urmi Hossain is a self-published author, speaker, blogger, and podcast host based in Canada. She works in financial services and holds both the CFA and CAIA designations. Through her work, she empowers women by championing mentorship, education, and public speaking. She serves as the Co-Chair of the organization Women in Leadership, for the Montreal Chapter. She is the author of Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle and the host of Stories Beyond Borders, a podcast exploring identity, migration, and culture. Outside of work, she enjoys reading thrillers, boxing, running, and HIIT workouts. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

What do you do when your career, your organization, or life itself gets MESSY? My guest on Career Buzz (Wed. July 22, 11-noon ET) is Daniel Atlin whose career has included senior roles at the University of Guelph, Seneca, the University of Toronto, in government, and as host of the podcast, Messy with Daniel Atlin. We’ll explore Daniel’s story, the central narrative and sense of purpose that helped him navigate change, and his model for making sense in the face of complexity. And this isn’t only a conversation for people with “leader” in their title. It’s for anyone trying to make sense of themselves, listen for competing stories, improvise when plans stop working, and find a way forward when certainty is in short supply. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Technology is advancing faster than at any time in human history. AI is transforming industries, quantum computing promises to reshape cybersecurity and national security, and digital technologies are increasingly making decisions that affect every aspect of our lives. Yet the professional regulatory frameworks governing technical expertise in Canada remain largely rooted in legislation and assumptions developed more than a century ago. In this episode, we explore how engineering regulation evolved from the late 19th century to meet the needs of the industrial age—and why those same regulatory models may no longer be sufficient in the era of AI, cyber threats, and emerging technologies. Drawing on decades of experience in engineering, technology, public policy, and professional regulation, our guest discusses why modernizing the oversight of not only engineering, but the broader applied sciences, has become essential to protecting public safety, security, welfare, and Canada's future competitiveness in an increasingly complex technological world. Guest Bio Peter DeVita is a licensed P.Eng and is past president of the Professional Engineers Ontario in 2001. Peter founded his electronics manufacturing company in 1977. He is currently president of Engineers for the profession. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto holding a BASc & MASc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He also holds an MBA from York University with focus on Marketing and Economics. He has taught courses at Sheridan College, and Centennial Colleges overseeing the development of two-degree courses in software and network technology. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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. Pete Robertson shares, “there’s a myth that before you start doing something, you should have all the skills and knowledge first. Actually, very often you learn by doing”. Have you ever taken on something without having all the required skills and knowledge? Aziz Kfoury pushes further, “Don’t be afraid to change roads in the middle of your journey because when you get to know yourself more, and you get to know what makes you more comfortable, what makes you want to develop, it’s alright”. What road are you on right now—and is it still the right one for who you’re becoming? Listen, comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest 1 Bio After studying psychology at the University of Warwick, Pete Robertson trained as a career adviser in 1987. His work specialised in supporting young people with disabilities and learning difficulties. He then trained in occupational psychology at the University of East London, becoming a career service training manager. In 2001 he relocated to Scotland and joined the faculty at Edinburgh Napier University. Since then, he has lectured on the postgraduate career guidance programme, and became a professor in 2021. His research interests include the relationship between #careers and #wellbeing ; theory and policy in relation to career guidance; and support for disadvantaged groups. He is a Fellow of the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling (NICEC). He is currently the President of the Career Development Institute (CDI), the UK professional body for career practitioners. Guest 2 Bio Located in Beirut, Lebanon, Aziz Kfoury is a Career Well-Being & Development Specialist, Business Psychologist, and Organizational Development Consultant who has become one of the leading voices in reimagining how individuals and organizations learn, perform, and grow. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LeadMe, a pioneering professional development ecosystem that empowers people and organizations to thrive through structured learning, organizational design, and psychological insight. Aziz built LeadMe Group on the belief that sustainable development is achieved when education, psychology, and strategy work in harmony. His philosophy combines data-driven systems with human-centered leadership, ensuring that every program transforms not just performance but culture. At the heart of Aziz’s work lies a simple conviction: “Growth is not measured by hours or output, but by impact, purpose, and well-being.” For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

My guest today is Evan Jones, a high school English teacher at Petitcodiac Regional School in New Brunswick, and winner of a 2026 New Brunswick Book Award for his book, What to Do if You Don’t Know What to Do . For the first part of our conversation, we’re joined by Angelica Welner, a Grade 9 student at Petitcodiac Regional School and one of the test readers of Evan’s book. Angelica brings a wonderfully clear and thoughtful student voice to the conversation, including some wise advice for moms and dads: ease up on the pressure to make young people name a career too soon. Then Evan and I explore his own career, and we landed an effective way to talk about his story – it’s a kind of “error correction.” Too much teaching only English led him to want more subjects. Too much teaching younger children led him toward high school. Too much travel eventually helped him realize he wanted to return to Canada. Along the way, we talk about uncertainty, purpose, education, and how young people can begin to find their way without needing to have the whole map in hand. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

In 2004, Robert Ketchin and his partners launched Georgian Hills Vineyards to pioneer a sustainable cool-climate wine industry along Georgian Bay. Following extensive soil testing beginning in 1998, the team established vineyards in Beaver Valley, utilizing the Niagara Escarpment's unique microclimate to grow experimental grape varieties. By 2010, they had successfully converted a historic barn into a fully operational winery and tasting room, showcasing distinct Riesling and Pinot Noir blends. This entrepreneurial journey demonstrates how vision and trial-and-error transformed a five-acre plot into a defining leader of the emerging Georgian Bay wine region Guest Bio Robert Ketchin was raised in Scotland, and England and has over fifty years of experience in the beverage alcohol and food service industries. Robert has held senior sales and marketing positions both regionally and nationally with Andres Wines and Heineken / Amstel Brewers. In his youth he was a keen rugby player which he credits much of his success to. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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. Guests share thought provoking statements. Sonny Wong said, “if we have a strong and healthy career identity during career transitions, we’re able to maintain our wellbeing”. My question to you, how clear are you on your career identity? Dr. Emily Bullock Yowell asked, “In our work, whatever it may be, I encourage us all to consider — is what we’re trying to do actually accomplishing the goal?” Such a powerful question. It makes us pause and think: how engaged are we in what we’re doing every day? Guest 1 Bio Sonny is a Registered Psychotherapist in Toronto – who practices Career-Focused Positive Counselling. With over 25 years of progressive experience as a CPD, he started his career as a community researcher identifying the needs of marginalized-displaced workers, served as program developer for matured workers/newcomers, as a resource builder for individuals in the idle trade and eventually a career/employment consultant for clients on provincial financial assistance. Sonny’s grassroots lived experience has fostered his keen awareness of professional/ethical service delivery practises. During the last 16 years, Sonny has been a psychotherapist working in post-secondary institutions, assisting clients to reconcile their intersectionality identities with their career identity. The passion in his work spans beyond his psychotherapist role, he is a lecturer, writer, trainer and clinical supervisor for Career Development Practitioners. Sonny’s commitment is to help individuals identify their strengths as flourishing fuel. His professional contributions have been constantly recognized by numerous national and provincial service awards within the post-secondary education and not-for-profit sectors. Guest 2 Bio Emily Bullock-Yowell, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi in the School of Psychology. She is the Training Director of the university’s APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PhD program and a licensed psychologist in the state of Mississippi. She teaches and supervises students at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Dr Emily’s program of research and training focus is in vocational psychology and career development from a perspective that addresses the integration of practice, theory, and research. Her work particularly focuses on two career development theories; Holland’s RIASEC theory and Cognitive Information Processing Theory. Her latest book, Holland’s RIASEC Hexagon: A Paradigm for Life and Work Decisions, with co-author Bob Reardon can be accessed for free. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On this episode of Career Buzz, we hear from Dena Jackson , comedian, speaker, creator of Self Help Me . Dena’s career story moves from theatre and stand-up comedy to corporate public relations, from personal upheaval and divorce to yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and wellness practice. Along the way, she discovered that self-help doesn’t have to be precious or perfect. It can be practical, funny, embodied, and deeply human. We’ll talk about comedy as a doorway into healing, yoga as a turning point, what breathwork can reach that words sometimes can’t, and how Dena turned her own search for support into a career helping others. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Environmental and Social (E&S) risks refer to the potential negative impacts of a project on ecosystems—such as air, water, and biodiversity—and on communities, including effects on livelihoods, health, labor rights, and cultural heritage. These risks are central to global project risk management, as unaddressed E&S issues can lead to financial losses, legal liabilities, reputational damage, and project delays. Frameworks like the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards help financiers and developers identify, assess, and mitigate these risks, ensuring that development is not only economically viable but also sustainable and socially responsible. Guest Bio Santiago Ribadeneira Falconi was born in Ecuador and came to Canada in 2018. He is an environmental and social advisor with almost 20 years of experience conducting environmental and social due diligence for large scale nuclear, mining, renewable, oil & gas, pulp & paper, sustainable forestry, and infrastructure across more than 20 countries. He is currently the Principal of the Environmental and Social Risk Management division at Export Development Canada where he leads complex international project development transactions. He holds two undergrad degrees in biology and an environmental engineering. He also completed a master in environmental sciences and an MBA, and is correctly finalizing his third graduate program; a master of engineering in civil and mineral engineering at the University of Toronto. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On this episode of Career Buzz, Mark Franklin is joined by Anthony CK Thomas, entrepreneur, business builder, and founder of Banditos , a Canadian-made “Mexi-CAN” lager. It was created to challenge both the beer market and some of the cultural assumptions around branding, identity, and who gets to build something bold. Anthony is a “fixer, breaker, closer.” Without traditional educational pathways, he built his career through hustle, instinct, relationships, and a willingness to move before certainty arrived. We talk about the 4am moment that sparked Banditos, what entrepreneurship really feels like behind the scenes, the tension between authenticity and marketing, why too many people end up living careers they never actually chose, and what it means to build something that people genuinely want to gather around. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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. Dr Seth Hayden reminded us that “Each person has their journey and sometimes we gotta be with the journey and see where it takes us and reach out for help when needed”. Guest Uli Schild adds to this and tells us, “The world is yours. You own it. You’re the boss of your own destiny and you should go for it”. Do you agree with Uli? Do you feel that you are in control of the choices you make? And my question to you, are you with your journey? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest 1 Bio Dr. Seth C.W. Hayden is the associate professor of counseling and coordinator of the clinical mental health program at Wake Forest University. Hayden. Dr. Hayden’s research focuses on the connection between career development and mental health. In addition, he examines the career and personal development needs of military service members, veterans, and their families. Dr. Hayden is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in North Carolina, a national certified counselor, a certified clinical mental health counselor, and an approved clinical supervisor. In addition, he is a past-president of the Military and Government Counseling Association and National Career Development Association, both divisions of the American Counseling Association. He is co-author of Group Career Counseling: Practices and Principles (2nd. ed.) and Career Development for Transitioning Veterans and co-editor of Cognitive Information Processing: Career Theory, Research, and Practice. He is also the author of Integrating Career Development and Mental Health Counseling. Guest 2 Bio Uli Schild, better known as Mr. Career Tick. I’ve made it my mission for over 15 years to help people get the job they deserve—not just the one they can get. It all started after being laid off (twice!). In 2008 and again in 2011, I faced career setbacks that sparked something greater: the drive to build a successful people-focused career coaching practice. Within a year, that passion has helped over 1,800 individuals in Australia and New Zealand land meaningful jobs. Through Mr. Career Tick, I’ve publicly shared my experience and knowledge through blogs, online coaching sessions, podcasts, and YouTube videos. Over the years, I’ve also learned along the way, as I celebrate my wins and failures and continue to reflect on the rapidly evolving recruiting and HR industry. My paid and free content has helped over 15,000 individuals across Australia, New Zealand and the world land the jobs they deserve. I provide career coaching, mentoring and the 21st century tools to set you up for success. I advise and coach individuals from diverse professional backgrounds and experiences on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and selection criteria cover letters. Most importantly, I help them navigate the job market to help them find their dream job. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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. Guest John Suarez shares his interesting career path and reminds us that “It’s ok if you don’t know, but you can’t do nothing. What are you going to do? Where is your point B? It doesn’t matter if it’s not the last step. You don’t have to have everything figured out but just figure out that next step”. Can you clearly describe your next step? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest Bio John Suarez is a career services leader, educator, and a global voice in résumé writing & coaching. As the Director of the Fundamentals program for the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC), his "Bulletproof" methodology has reached students in 46 states and 31 countries. John currently serves as the Career Services Coordinator at Southwestern Illinois College, where he leads a team dedicated to empowering students, alumni, and professionals through career transitions, job placement, and strategic career planning. In 2024, John was honored by the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the résumé writing profession spanning more than 30 years. Passionate about career development, personal branding, and the future of job search strategy, John continues to shape the industry through online training, mentorship, and a monthly newsletter column for writing and coaching professionals. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

On this episode of Career Buzz, Mark Franklin is joined by Teri Hart—television and radio host, producer, content creator, and now the creator and host of The Hart of It All podcast. Teri spent years on air with Bell Media, Corus, and Rogers, building a career in broadcasting—until a sudden job loss in her late 40s disrupted what had been a steady path forward. In our conversation, Teri shares her career story, how she navigated that turning point, and what it meant to rebuild with intention. Then the interview moves into a powerful conversation about caregiving—the focus of her podcast—and the realities so many people are navigating, often quietly and alone. There’s a lot here about resilience, voice, and what it takes to move forward when the path changes. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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. Guest Emer O’Donnell shares, “When you have a real sense of purpose and this is why you’re here, then you can’t help but follow your heart”. Do you have a real sense of purpose? Sharon Vandermeer follows with a statement about why she values stepping out of her comfort zone, “If I’m ever in a position where I’m uncomfortable that means that growth is happening”. How often do you get uncomfortable in your work? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest 1 Bio Emer O Donnell , Founder of TeenReconnect, is a behavioural change coach with a background in psychology and 20+ years working in global organisations. In 2016, she recognised a gap in young people's educational skills that prevented them from navigating the complex world we now live in leaving so many feeling overwhelmed, lost and anxious. She was then inspired to become the Founder of a coaching and training company called TeenReconnect to address this gap. She focuses her work on supporting parents to help their children to thrive, empowering youth professionals to increase their skills, and supporting organisations that wish to become more effective in this space. She emphasises the importance of developing well-being first for sustained performance. Emer is also the author of “Understanding Teen Stress & Anxiety; A Parent’s Guide to Building Love and Connection” and has created the digital Q Pathfinder coaching app. It is a personalised tool used as part of her 7Q TeenReconnect coaching programme for young people so they understand who they uniquely are and can learn how that plays out in their career choices, confidence, learning, stress, and relationships. Emer is passionate about making a difference, believing young people are the future. She also knows that if you don’t know who you are it is way harder to create a life you love. Guest 2 - Sharon Vandermeer Self Bio Raised in the country, I learned early on the value of hard work, community, and resourcefulness. When I made the move to Melbourne, I quickly found my calling in recruitment—a space where I could connect people with opportunities that change lives. After a few years in the industry, I took the leap and founded On the Ball Personnel Australasia, allowing me to fully embrace my passion for service. Every day, I get to bridge the gap between talented job seekers and businesses looking for the right talent, ensuring both thrive. With a commitment to providing real value, my approach is built on authenticity, fun, and a deep understanding of what makes great workplaces tick. Recruitment isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building careers, strengthening businesses, and making sure people are set up for long-term success. It’s been one of the most rewarding spaces to play and make a difference in! For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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 Dr. Maria Milland , a Danish obstetrician and gynecologist whose humanitarian work has taken her to some of the world’s most challenging environments. Drawing on her experience working in the al-Hol refugee camp in northeast Syria, Maria shares powerful insights from her new book, * Born at the Gates of Hell *, offering a rare and deeply human perspective on life inside the camp—particularly in the maternity ward where new life begins amid extreme conditions. Together, they explore her career journey, the skills and values that sustain her work, and what her experiences reveal about resilience, ethical tension, and making meaningful career choices. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Aerospace engineering sits at the intersection of advanced science, complex systems design, and the timeless human ambition to fly. From the earliest aircraft to today’s highly sophisticated jets and emerging sustainable aviation concepts, the field continues to push the boundaries of innovation and engineering precision. Behind every aircraft is a multidisciplinary effort involving structural design, advanced materials, manufacturing technologies, and rigorous safety standards. As the aviation industry looks toward more efficient and environmentally responsible aircraft, engineers are reimagining how airplanes are designed, built, and operated. Stephen Armstrong and Andrew Bondarchuk explores the world of aerospace engineering and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of flight. Guest Bio Andrew Bondarchuk is an aerospace engineer specializing in aircraft structural design and future aircraft development. He earned his Aerospace Engineering degree from Carleton University and gained early industry experience through an internship with Airbus in the United Kingdom. He began his career at Bombardier working on the production and design of aircraft including the Global 5500, 6500, and 7500 programs. Today he is a Senior Design Engineer in Bombardier’s Research and Technology group in Montreal, contributing to next-generation aircraft concepts such as the EcoJet blended wing body. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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, Dr Brian Hutchison shares, “Particularly in the west we can get this idea of individualism in our head and I think that that’s an inaccurate idea”. Do you agree? Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest Bio Dr Brian Hutchison, also known as Global Career Guy, Dr Brian Hutchison Ph.D., LPC, CCSCC is Core Faculty of Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the School of Counseling at Walden University, USA. He received his doctorate degree in Counselor Education Supervision from Pennsylvania State University and has worked as a career, school, and mental health counselor and clinical supervisor. Brian’s career consultation and education work operates within the brand of Global Career Guy where he specializes in consultation, research, speaking, and training focused on how career development fosters mental health well-being, school engagement, and social justice. He has worked in more than 50 countries and written more than four dozen publications including the 12th Edition of School to Career, a career textbook for high school students. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!

Canada is accelerating toward an electric future—but are we truly ready for the EV transition? Beyond the headlines, this shift raises real questions about infrastructure, affordability, and grid resilience. Today, we ask what’s working, what’s missing, and whether Canada is prepared for what comes next. In this episode, Stephen Armstrong is joined by guest Andre Mech. Guest Bio Andre Mech is an Environmental Engineer who has been a climate change proponent for the past 25 years. Andre works in the areas of electrical generation, emission reduction, energy efficiency project evaluation, project development, finance, management, verification, including carbon offset generation activities to minimizing climate change. He has direct experience with carbon related planning in the commercial institutional building sector, transportation sector and combined heat and power sector. He is a regular speaker at national and international energy conferences. He holds a BEng Mech Eng from the Royal Military College Canada and an MBA from Western University. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For 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. One quote that stands out in this episode, is by Ahmed Mostafa Kamal who shared many useful career and life tips staying in our “comfort zone is killing our dreams”. Do you agree? Next, Ruth challenges us by stating “you can move anything that you do from exclusion to inclusion”. Comment and share your thoughts and experiences. Guest 1 Bio Ahmed Mostafa Kamal, a career development leader and expert in the Middle East. He is the founder of Career Development in the MENA Region, founder of AM Foundation for Career Development, the Co-Founder & Senior Partner of GROWAT Saudi Arabia and a UNICEF Advisor. His work has included training more than 1000 counselors, facilitators, coaches, and guides in Egypt, KSA, Qatar, and Turkey. Ahmed began the first career development project in Egypt funded by USAID in 2006. Then, he extended his efforts to other countries in the MENA region as well as in Europe, Asia, USA and Canada. His focus is enriching Arab individuals, teams, organizations, and countries with the required knowledge, materials, tools, and experiences to benefit from a professional career development process—all translated and adapted for the Arab culture. Ahmed won the merit award from the National Career Development Association (NCDA) in 2022, best international career development practitioner award from NCDA in 2011, and best international Global Career Development Facilitator award from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) in 2015. He holds many certifications in the fields of career development, mental health, business, and distance learning that are associated with several global associations including NCDA and CRG. Guest 2 Bio Ruth McAteer , a Career Development Professional. Ruth's work in the careers space focuses on exclusion to inclusion, investigating how to rethink career curriculum design, resources, and events as well as traditional one-to-ones, to maximise accessibility. By critically examining who we are designing for, she challenges traditional approaches to ensure career education can reach the widest demographics. Grounded in the globally applicable Employability Capital Growth Model and aligned with the global Sustainability Development Goals this approach helps people identify how and where they want to make an impact - the first step on any career journey! As a member of the Deaf community, Ruth is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities especially regarding equality and inclusion in the workplace. For career counselling for you or someone you care about, start with a free discovery call: careercycles.com For gamified, story-based professional development, learn about and schedule a demo of Who You Are Matters!