Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons Lic...

FTG 0046 – Raising the Curtain with Musician and Music & Theater Educator Julie Florin '87

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

05/23/23 • 69 min

Overview:

Julie Florin ’87 Arts and Architecture teaches Theatre and Chorus at Greenville High School Academy in Greenville, South Carolina. She also works with local theatres and plays organ at churches in the Upstate. Julie is a trained pianist and organist and has a rich career teaching at the K-12 level and serving as musical director for countless shows at the K-12, collegiate, and community theater levels. Julie joins the show to talk about her experiences and share her advice as a music teacher and life-long learner. She also shares advice for involvement in theater after college from her roles as musical director, as well as from her perspectives as a piano teacher, church organist, touring performer in the “War Bonds” show, and Penn State donor. This episode will be of interest to any Scholar who enjoys music or theater, and will be especially valuable to Scholars intending to pursue a career or continued involvement for personal fulfillment in any of these disciplines. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

Julie Florin ’87 A&A teaches Theatre and Chorus at Greenville High School Academy in Greenville, South Carolina. She also works with local theatres and plays organ at churches in the Upstate. Prior to moving to South Carolina in 2016, she held similar positions and taught private piano lessons for over 20 years in Raleigh, North Carolina. She tours nationally in "War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of WWII" with EbzB Productions. She graduated from Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture in 1987 with a BS in Music Education with Honors. She holds a Certificate in Church Music from Shenandoah University, a Masters in Music from East Carolina University, and a BA in Theatre Education from North Carolina Central University. You can contact her at https://fingertipsmusic.org or on LinkedIn.

Episode Topics:

Coming to Penn State and the Honors College as a State College High grad and overcoming sleeping through the SAT (from when it was part of the admissions criteria)
Leveraging high school challenges and opportunities in finding your path from mentors along the way
The difference between piano and organ – and how one helped Julie with physical therapy!
Writing a practical thesis that fills a needs gap – in the form of a research informed choral workbook – and the importance of saving your work!
Continuing education through graduate degrees and certificates – including taking matters into your own hands when your employer doesn’t offer something you need
Advice for student teachers, new teachers, and teachers in areas like arts, music, and similar and the difference between academic and co-curricular opportunities
Leveraging participation in the arts in internships and jobs across industries
Maintaining involvement in the arts through community theatre
Advice for church pianists and organists as a substitute performer
Creating and touring a unique program telling authentic stories and music from WWII on the War Bonds tour
Getting your motorcycle and commercial drivers licenses
Supporting currents arts students as an alumna donor

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

FTG 0043 – Living and Working Abroad with Serial Startup Founder Connor Sattely ’11

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

03/28/23 • 57 min

Overview:

Connor Sattely ’11 Behrend is an entrepreneur and startup mentor based out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He's spent the last eleven years alternating between starting startups and supporting other entrepreneurs. Connor joins Following the Gong to discuss his experiences as a Scholar at Penn State Behrend, as an entrepreneur and start-up coach, and life as an ex-pat living and working abroad. Connor earned his BAs in Communication and Political Science, the former with honors, from Penn State Behrend. This episode is great for any Scholar at a Commonwealth Campus, interested in starting a business, or interested in travelling abroad for any amount of time, and certainly for any looking to live or work abroad. You can read a more detailed breakdown and Connor’s bio further below in the show notes.

Guest Bio:

Connor Sattely ’11 Behrend is an entrepreneur and startup mentor based out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He's spent the last eleven years alternating between starting startups and supporting other entrepreneurs. His businesses include GovFaces, a Switzerland-based civic tech company; SEMA (pronounced seh-muh), a Ugandan citizen feedback tool for public services; and his own consultancy in the Netherlands. In supporting startups, he's worked at the HiiL Justice Accelerator working with innovations in legal and justice issues around the world; and with the Social Enterprise Academy, working on transformative learning and development for social entrepreneurs. Connor earned a Bachelor of Art in communications with honors and a Bachelor of Art in political science from Penn State Behrend in 2011. He went on to earn a master’s degree in international affairs from l'Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement in Geneva, Switzerland.

Episode Topics:

Life at Penn State Behrend and the value of making connections with faculty regardless of campus
Learning through experiences like writing at the Behrend Beacon
Thesis and non-thesis undergraduate research
Studying abroad in undergrad and going to grad school abroad
Starting your journey in start-ups and advice for future founders from a start-up mentor
First-hand advice about international travel and living abroad
Even more advice on startups and traveling abroad
Thoughts on making the most of cold connections on LinkedIn ----- Schreyer Honors College Links: Website Instagram LinkedIn Upcoming Events Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars Join the Penn State Alumni Association ----- Credits & Notes: This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

FTG 0044 – Being the Hero of Your Own Story with Former Diplomat, Defense Expert, Consultant, and Author Jaz Azari ’06

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

04/11/23 • 65 min

Overview:

Jaz Azari, Class of 2006, is a multitalented professional with experiences in diplomacy, defense, and consulting roles with the U.S. government, military, and private sector firms, currently serving as a Senior Consultant at Guidehouse in Washington, D.C. Jaz has previously worked with the Department of State and Department of Defense and was a Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Politics with Honors and a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2006, followed by an Masters of Art in War Studies from Kings College London. She joined Following the Gong to share her career path and insights with students. While helpful for students interested in her day job industries, this episode can be helpful for any Scholar trying to decide their thesis topic or exploring industries and majors. Jaz is also a published fantasy fiction author, and provides writing help, among other practical advice, for all Scholars. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes on your podcast app. With that, let’s dive into the conversation, following the gong.

Guest Bio:

Jaz Azari ’06 Lib is a Senior Consultant at Guidehouse in Washington, D.C. where she has helped clients with designing, developing, and implementing programs and facilitated client offsites and conversations to improve collaboration, communication, and strategic planning. Before joining Guidehouse in 2019, Jaz worked for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, was a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State and was a Fellow as part of the Global Fellowship Initiative for the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a dual B.A. in International Politics with Honors and German Studies with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts. Jaz also holds an M.A. in War Studies from Kings College London, graduating with distinction. Jaz has worked on wide-ranging topics and is happy to speak about them further, including foreign policy and diplomacy, defense, military psychology, media broadcasts, environment, science, technology, maritime and oceanic issues, and entrepreneurship, among others. She is also the author of two young adult fantasy fiction novels, The Noble Rogues and The Obsidian Staff, Book One of The Lost Legacy Series. Please feel free to connect with her by email at [email protected] and visit her website at www.thelostlegacyseries.com.

Episode Topics:

Navigating a winding path to finding the right major for your interests and strengths
Learning from organizations, volunteer opportunities, and paid jobs
The importance of finding a motivating thesis topic, even if it’s “late in the game”
Writing tips for fiction, non-fiction, and business
Several stories and lots of advice from working with the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and the State Department, as well as from think tanks, defense, diplomacy, and policy roles domestically and abroad
Integrating your interests, even if you didn’t major in them, into your career
A discussion of learning/training/development roles and techniques
A broad view of the differences between government and private sector employment
Helpful leadership advice for student leaders and organization
What it’s like being a published fantasy fiction author
Centering yourself as the hero of your own journey, setbacks and all
The pride of the Penn State network

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via

FTG 0026 - Supporting the Supporters with Volunteer Manager Haley Staub Rappoldt '18, '21g

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

08/02/22 • 51 min

Overview:

Haley Staub Rappoldt ’18 Com '21g Edu is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations. She has been in this role since graduating with her BA in Public Relations with Honors where she supports 700+ Penn State fundraising volunteers. Our conversation focuses primarily on volunteerism and philanthropy, but all Scholars can get value out of this episode by learning about leadership and skills that can be useful in any industry and in any volunteer role. For Haley’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the topics we cover, check out the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Haley Rappoldt is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in Penn State’s Division of Development & Alumni Relations. Haley provides advancement and oversight of volunteer recruitment, onboarding, engagement, education, evaluation and recognition practices for the 700+ volunteers who work to advance the University's fundraising efforts. Haley joined the University staff after earning a BA in Public Relations with Honors from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2018. She also earned her Master of Education in Higher Education from Penn State’s College of Education in 2021. As a volunteer management and engagement professional, Haley is a firm believer in volunteering her own time, talent, and treasure to organizations that she is passionate about, including Penn State THON and the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG). Please feel free to connect with Haley on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

· Choosing Penn State because of involvement with a high school Mini-THON and a passion for philanthropy

· Picking a “broad” major that fits your interests when you aren’t sure of your career path

· Taking advantage of leadership opportunities on campus including Schreyer Student Council and THON – including the difference between the Communications and Public Relations committees

· The benefits of travel embedded honors courses for a global perspective

· Finding new opportunities from connecting with faculty

· Using the thesis to explore something separate from other interests

· Intentionally looking for diverse internship and pre-professional experiences, from consumer products to tourism to development & alumni relations

· Taking an internship into a full-time role out of college

· What a manager of fundraising volunteers does day in, day out

· The skills future volunteer managers should develop – and how these are also helpful for other people-centric career paths

· Advice on fully remote internships and jobs

· Volunteering as an alum, both with the Honors College, Penn State, and in your community

· Thoughts on success, failure, and mentoring

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

FTG 0029 – Developing Leadership Skills as a Scholar with Asset Manager Ari Rosenbaum '91

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

09/20/22 • 55 min

Overview:

Ari Rosenbaum ’91 Liberal Arts is a Principal and Director of Financial Advisors Services at O’Shaughnessy Asset Management. Ari shares his experiences adjusting to the rigors of college, the value he found in getting involved on campus – specifically through joining a fraternity – and how he uses his English degree in the financial services industry. He shares insight any Scholar can use on making the most of the Scholar experience to gain transferrable skills through campus involvement and leadership. He also explains his non-quantitative role in finance and insights from a lengthy business career that can be helpful to any Scholar. You can read Ari’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Ari Rosenbaum ’91 Liberal Arts is a Principal and Director of Financial Advisors Services at O’Shaughnessy Asset Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, in Stamford, Connecticut. O’Shaughnessy manages equity portfolios for institutional investors like pension plans and high net worth individuals through their financial advisors. Ari has worked in financial services for most of his career after brief roles in the fraternity consulting and advertising industries. He earned his BA in English with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1991. He served as Chapter President of the Sigma Phi Epsilon (“SigEp”) fraternity at University Park. Scholars can connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Ari shares his insights on:

· Picking Penn State with the intent to transfer later, but then deciding to stay

· The benefits of picking a Liberals Arts major like English

· The positives of joining and leading a fraternity

· How an English thesis on Mark Twain is useful to a financial services professional or other careers

· Working for a national fraternity organization right out of college

· Getting into a finance career without a degree in finance

· The value of taking calculate risk in your career and in business

· Learning business and relational (“soft”) skills through campus involvement

· Developing your team leadership skills

· A hiring manager’s thoughts on additional skills for Scholars to invest in

· Developing non-work interests throughout life and as a parent

· The criticality of choosing a good life partner (if you choose one)

· Reflecting on the numerous decisions you make in a career

· Resilience in the face of setbacks

· The value of taking feedback, especially in a mentoring dynamic

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

FTG 0030 – Professional Podcasting with Content Creator Jenna Spinelle '08

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

10/04/22 • 49 min

Overview:

Jenna Spinelle (she/her) ’08 Communications is a writer, podcaster, and speaker in higher education. She hosts and produces the Democracy Works podcast and the narrative series When the People Decide, both productions of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State. Jenna hops over from her host chair to the interview chair on Following the Gongfor this episode to discuss the current media landscape – on campus and at large – working in podcasting and content creation, and other topics like the value of continued participation in music. You can read Jenna’s full bio and a breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Jenna Spinelle (she/her) ’08 Communications is a writer, podcaster, and speaker in higher education. She hosts and produces the Democracy Works podcast and the narrative series When the People Decide, both productions of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State. She teaches courses on freelancing and the creator economy at Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, from which she earned her BA in Journalism with Honors in 2008. She also finds time to freelance for various firms and publications. She previously worked in marketing and public relations positions at Penn State and in traditional newspaper settings. Her writing has appeared in outlets including Bello Collective, Inside Higher Ed, and Current. You can find her on Twitter @JennaSpinelle or visit her website at jennaspinelle.com.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Jenna shares her insights on:

· Choosing Penn State over “big city” schools for its academic reputation and being close to home

· Aspects of journalism that can help you identify it as a field for you

· Making the most of Penn State’s student media culture – even if you are not a journalism major or in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

· Joining the College as a current Penn State student

· The evolving media landscape of the mid-2000s through to 2022

· Getting into professional podcasting without previous on-air experiences

· Translating dense topics for listeners on the Democracy Workspodcast

· Creating a narrative-based podcast – like Serial – in When the People Decide

· The different types of podcasts and Jenna’s (and Sean’s) inspirations

· The how of podcasting, and advice on building up your skills to be a content creator

· The value in freelancing and pursuing side-hustles

· Continuing playing a musical instrument through college and into post-college life

· Pushing yourself out of your professional comfort zone and initial discipline

· Thoughts on mentorship

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

FTG 0039 - Love, Learning, and Life Journeys: Navigating Family and Career Changes with Business Leaders Erin and Tony Talbert '99

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

02/14/23 • 67 min

Overview:

Scholar Alumni couple Erin (’99 Com) & Tony (’99 Eng) Talbert join Following the Gong to share their joint story and advice after meeting early in their Penn State journey. After serving as Lion Ambassadors and ringing the gong, Erin pursued a career in consulting and Tony went into financial services roles. They shared their advice on these fields, including commercial real estate, family transitions, and career transitions including moving into roles in community organizations and small businesses. Erin and Tony offer advice that is helpful for any Scholar, not just those in similar fields, as they both took directions away from their major and have navigated their journey together, including as donors to and volunteers with the College. For each of their bios and a more detailed breakdown, continue reading these show notes!

Guest Bio:

Erin Talbert ’99 Communications is currently an active community volunteer, elected School Board member and small business owner. Before that she spent nearly 20 years working in the pharmaceuticals industry. In her 11 years at AstraZeneca, Erin worked in several commercial roles including Marketing, Managed Markets, and Sales. In her 7 years with Accenture, Erin focused on change management, organizational design, and communications. She now owns Brandywine Outdoor Living and works with landscape architects and their clients to add the outdoor "finishings" to large scale landscape projects including furniture, lighting, shade, and planters. Erin graduated from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications with Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations with Honors and a minor in Labor & Industrial Relations from Penn State in 1999.

Tony Talbert ’99 Engineering is a Partner of The Shidler Group, where he is responsible for real estate investments, acquisitions, capital markets and developing new investment strategies, including The Shidler Group’s most recent multifamily, hotel, and net-lease investment platforms. Since joining The Shidler Group in 2013, Tony has been instrumental in the acquisition of over $3.24 billion of office, hospitality, and multifamily assets throughout the U.S. Tony was previously with Chatham Financial Group where he co-founded the firm’s real estate investment banking practice where he specialized in capital raising and complex debt advisory assignments, including a $1.3 billion securitization of One Bryant Park in New York after beginning his career on Chatham’s derivative desk. Tony graduated from Penn State’s College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Industrial Engineering in 1999. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in 2004.

Episode Topics:

· Coming to University Park and choosing Schreyer from Maryland and Hawaii and as a first-generation student – and meeting your future spouse on day 1!

· Selecting a major based on skills rather than topics and as a first-gen student, or as a student in DUS

· Making a career pivot as you are nearing graduation based on pre-professional experiences and succeeding regardless of alignment with your major

· Leading while walking backwards with the Lion Ambassadors

· Working your way through school with on- and off-campus jobs and managing time

· Learning from pragmatic thesis topics like marketing plans and product component dissection

· Going to business school after starting your career and switching from consulting to corporate roles

· Stepping away from traditional careers to focus on family and finding new opportunities locally

· A crash course on working in commercial real estate and forming business partnerships

· Reflective lessons on the Scholar experience , success, relationships, mentorship, and more

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible

FTG 0037 – Careers of All Kinds with Teacher Turned Entrepreneur and Civil Servant Diana Adams '13

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

01/24/23 • 48 min

Overview:

Diana Adams ’13 Berks is the Executive Director of Brevard Heart Foundation, co-owner and Community Engagement Coordinator of Rock Paper Simple, and a Council Member for the City of West Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida which come on the heels of a seven year career in elementary education in Florida where she earned numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year for her school and the Dr. Theron Trimble Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year award for the state of Florida. She earned a BS in Elementary Education with Honors from Penn State Berks in 2013, followed by a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida and is currently working on her Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University. Diana discusses many topics that can be helpful to Scholars of all stripes. After sharing her experience coming to Penn State at a non-traditional age, staying at a Commonwealth Campus, and moving out of state for her first teaching job, Diana discusses making a career change in her 20s, working in non-profits, small business, and public administration. She also shares thoughts on making the most the thesis and Scholar experience and overcoming personal adversity.

Guest Bio:

Diana Adams ’13 Berks is the Executive Director of Brevard Heart Foundation, co-owner and Community Engagement Coordinator of Rock Paper Simple, and a Council Member for the City of West Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida. In each of her roles, she seeks to address community needs by using data and relationships to make a positive difference in her community, in particularly the fields of business, healthcare, and local government. Prior to her current roles, Diana was a teacher in Florida for seven years, where she earned numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year for her school and the Dr. Theron Trimble Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year award for the state of Florida. She earned a BS in Elementary Education with Honors from Penn State Berks in 2013, followed by a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida and is currently working on her Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University. With her life dedicated to public service, Diana knows the value of connecting with others for the betterment of our communities and is happy to speak further about education, business, grants, and municipal government. Please feel free to connect with her at LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-adams-010853179) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/blondiebookworm/)

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Diana shares her insights on:

· Choosing Penn State Berks for being close to home and the smaller campus feel and the Honors College for the intellectual community it provides

· Pursuing an education major and selecting the right level for you – and test driving as a first-year student

· Starting college earlier than is “traditional”

· Balancing student teaching with writing a thesis, and using that thesis in interviews and in the classroom

· Brining life experience and identity to influence your thesis topic and research

· Job searching outside of Pennsylvania and ideas for job search research generally

· The ups and downs of being an elementary school teacher

· Making the decision to leave teaching and pursue new opportunities

· Handling your inclination to say “yes” to every opportunity

· Getting involved in municipal government – both as a citizen and as a leader

· Keeping a grounded approach to success through serving others

· Lessons from getting SCUBA certified despite a physical disability

· Thoughts on mentorship

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, ac...

FTG 0056 – Electric Vehicles and Entrepreneurship with Revel Co-Founder Paul Suhey '14

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

11/14/23 • 55 min

Overview:

Paul Suhey ’14 Eng is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Revel a firm with the mission to enable EV adoption in US cities. Specifically, the company is focused on building fast charging infrastructure and operating an all-electric, all-employee rideshare service. Before starting Revel in 2018, Paul worked for ExxonMobil and Gerson Lehrman Group. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2014. Paul joins FTG to discuss his time at Penn State as a “townie,” founding Apollo benefitting THON, and conducting undergraduate research. He shares insights on his early career as a Chem E grad and ultimately how he decided to co-found Revel, a firm at the intersection of EV adoption and a new experience for ride-hailing services. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those in STEM, who have an interest in EVs, or are interested in transforming an idea into a business. Paul’s bio and a complete breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

Episode Topics:

Re-applying to the College as a current Penn State student after an initial rejection and as a “townie”
Choosing Chemical Engineering for its versatility and academic challenge
Founding and leading Apollo benefitting THON
Using those organizational leadership lessons post-Penn State and the importance of organizational culture
Finding undergraduate research opportunities on campus
Serving as an Engineering Ambassador
Strategies for time management and balancing work, school, and other commitments
Prioritizing a thesis advisor over a thesis topic
Using your thesis as a startup founder
Suggestions for success in internships and early career discovery
Shifting industries from pharmaceuticals to oil & gas to investments to EVs
Taking the plunge from corporate life to going all-in on your start-up
Navigating and maintaining relationships with your co-founder(s)
Perspectives on the first year of a start-up
Setting your company and product apart from competitors and solving unanticipated problems
Promoting EV adoption through designing a new model for ride-hail services
Approaching private and public investors
Successes and mistakes that founders can learn from
The differences between fast growth start-ups and slow growth family/side businesses
Making the most of your time as a student and the unique opportunities that time presents

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Schreyer Honors College Links: