Ken Biberaj on How to Motivate a Team of Campaign Volunteers

In Chapter 19 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" Biberaj finds managing campaign volunteers requires a different approach than managing employees. He learns to give interns and volunteers greater responsibility and holds them accountable for the results. Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University.

James McCormick on Learning Business in First Job Out of College

In Chapter 7 of 21 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, legal search and consulting firm executive James McCormick answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job Out of College That is Still Relevant Today?" Working for an event marketing company providing contract services to the Chrysler Corporation, McCormick learns the importance of being adaptable and flexible working across cultures and geographies. He finds what works at one local dealership does not always guarantee it will work at another location. James McCormick is a Partner at Empire Search Partners in New York City. Previously, he practiced law as an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney for Proskauer Rose and Jones Day. He earned a JD at Tulane Law School and a BA in History at the University of Michigan.

Leslie Kerner on Learning Client Relationship Management at Deloitte

In Chapter 9 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job After College That is Still Relevant Today?" In her first job out of college, Kerner takes a job as a business analyst at management consulting company Deloitte. There she learns the importance of client relationship management working across industries in diverse work environments. By building trust and helping clients understand she was there to help and not hinder, Kerner builds project teams that work together to solve problems.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Audrey French on How to Find the Right Mentor at the Right Time

In Chapter 6 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "How Have Mentors Helped to Motivate You to Do Your Best Work?" French shares how different mentors have been valuable at different stages of her career. Out of college, French works for a female small business owner who inspires her own entrepreneurial leap. Later, after leaving the business world, French finds a female mentor that helps her come to terms with her new life after the company and her motherhood aspirations. Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Creating Internships to Help Students Start Real Estate Careers

In Chapter 15 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, real estate developer Brett Goldman answers "What is Your Approach to Providing Interns an Experience that Prepares Them for a Real Estate Career?" Goldman starts by teaching interns the fundamentals of real estate development research. By going to county registrar offices to understand real estate records, title information, block and lot maps, and title insurance,, Goldman teaches his interns what it means to own real estate and how the real estate ownership process works. 

Brett Goldman is a Real Estate Acquisitions Director at Triangle Equities in New York City.  He holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

How to Learn and Develop a Hard Work Ethic - Mike Germano

In Chapter 2 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?"  He notes how he looked up to his parents as role models and learned to work hard from his Mom and Dad.  At 14 years old, Germano gets his first job selling hot dogs at St. Louis Cardinals baseball games and learns that by outworking others he is able to outperform them. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Cathy Erway on Skills You Learn in a Line Cook Restaurant Job

In Chapter 15 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "What New Cooking Skills are You Learning Cooking in a New York City Restaurant?"  Working as a line cook and prep cook in a restaurant kitchen, Erway finds organization skills are critical in a professional cooking job.  This ranges from streamlining the order process to seeing the results take shape in the style and theme of the food. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Kyung B. Yoon on How Reflecting Back Can Move Your Career Forward

In Chapter 1 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung B. Yoon answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?"  Yoon uses reflection to think about work she enjoys doing and work where she excels.  This process helps Yoon figure out what next steps to take in her career and find ways to eliminate inequalities and inequities and create social impact. 

Kyung B. Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Anatole Faykin: How Oracle Silicon Valley Job Teaches Work Ethic

In Chapter 11 of 12 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Anatole Faykin answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?"  Starting his career in Silicon Valley teaches Faykin it is not about set working hours or face time and more about getting projects done by deadlines.  His entry-level experience working at Oracle influences his later career choices as an entrepreneur to create flexible workplace cultures. 

Anatole Faykin is an entrepreneur currently working on a new startup as part of the Startup Chile incubator program in Santiago, Chile.  Previously, Faykin founded Tuanpin, a Shanghai, China-based daily deals site he grew to 25 employees and sold in the fall of 2011. He has worked for British Telecom in London, Intel in Shanghai, American Express in New York, and Oracle in San Francisco as well as several startups. He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a BS in computer science and biology from the California Institute of Technology.

When to Leave a Cruise Control Job and Change Careers

In Chapter 4 of 15 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, business and personal coach Garren Katz answers "What Has Been Most Challenging About Changing Careers and Becoming a Coach?"  For Katz it is finances.  Working in sales for many years, Katz finds it easy to be on cruise control.  Moving into coaching, Katz starts from scratch not only from a financial perspective but also from a confidence perspective.  He talks about his experience building a new foundation in his new career. 

Garren Katz is a business and personal coach based in State College, PA and advises his national client base on small business management, entrepreneurship, relationships, and personal finances.  He is also an active angel investor in several business ventures.  He earned his BA from Western Michigan University. 

How to Be an Advocate for Your Local Community - Randall Metting

In Chapter 1 of 7 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer and on-air radio personality Randall Metting answers "How Has Being a Local Radio DJ in Austin, Texas Brought You Closer to the Austin Community?"  Metting shares how joining the Austin community as a radio DJ at KGSR has taught him new ways to advocate for the community across culture, entertainment, and charitable causes.  Randall Metting is an on-air radio personality at 93.3 KGSR Radio in Austin, Texas.  When not on the radio, Metting consults organizations on integrated marketing strategy and brand development.  He also writes the Austin community music and entertainment blog at www.randallmetting.com.  Metting earned a B.A. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

How Entry-Level Job Teaches Design Career Skills - Ross Floate

In Chapter 7 of 20 in his 2012 interview, branding and design strategist Ross Floate answers "What Skills Did You Learn Working Entry-Level Jobs That You Still Find Useful Today?"  Working an entry-level prepress job in print-based publishing company, Floate learns core craft skills fixing others mistakes that teach him core design skills.  That attention to detail still benefits him today.  Additionally, he learns the importance of workflow and how someone is responsible for each part of a process.  He gets better at his job by gaining respect learning to emphathize with others and respect their responsibility.  Floate learns Ross Floate is a principal at Melbourne, Australia-based Floate Design Partners.  Experienced in branding, design and both online and offline publishing, Floate and his team provide marketing services to clients seeking to better communicate business and culture goals via image, messaging, and story. He is a graduate of RMIT University.

Why to Seek Advice From Entry Level Hires - Mike Germano

In Chapter 14 of 19 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, social media ad agency CEO Mike Germano answers "At This Moment in Your Life, Where are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?"  Germano notes the valuable advice he gets from speaking with entry-level hires, typically recent college graduates, who have worked less than a year at the company.  This helps him stay connected and focus on the little things shaping company culture, mission, and values.  Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO, Brooklyn based social media advertising agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Teaching Art Students Creative Career Skills - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 16 of 17 in his 2012 interview, entrepreneur Doug Jaeger shares "How Are You Teaching Young Creative Professionals How to Survive and Succeed"  Jaeger shares what he is learning teaching at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City.  He provides his students both introductions to senior creative professionals as well as putting students on real world project teams to strengthen academic skills while learning real life skills.  Doug Jaeger is the co-founder of JaegerSloan, a multimedia design services firm in New York City.  His street front office doubles as the JS55 Gallery. Jaeger is also an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA).  He graduated from Syracuse University.

When to Pursue a Career That is Not Your College Major - Julie Hession

In Chapter 6 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "After majoring in hotel and restaurant management in college what made you decide to shift away from that in your career?"  Studying in Las Vegas, Hession finds the glamorous picture of hotel management career does not meet what she experiences.  With advice from her father, she decides to make a change to find work outside her college major.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Transcription: 

Erik:  After majoring in hotel and restaurant management in college, what made you decide to shift away from that in your career?

Julie:  Well, the fact that about three months into my first job out of college I decided that I hated hotel and restaurant management, that was my first clue.  And it was interesting because, you know, when you’re an undergrad and you’re taking four years in this curriculum and all you’re learning about is you know hotel and restaurant management, hotel and restaurant law, hotel and restaurant marketing, you know 'cause – I had casino management.  I mean, my life was surrounded, and it was Las Vegas, UNLV, so the city revolves around hotels and restaurants. 

So I kind of had tunnel vision and I was thinking, "Well, this is what I've chosen to do, I'm tied to it.  This is gonna be my life."  And I got my first job with Windham Hotels.  They don't tell you where they’re gonna put you when they hire you.  You make no money when you graduate with a hotel and restaurant management degree.  They basically tell you that the first day of school when you’re a freshman.  You sit down and they say, "You're gonna work 100 hours a week and you're gonna make no money.  Welcome to college." 

You know, I should have just you know headed for the door just then, but the idea of it still excited me at that point.  I still had this whole -- there's this show called Hotel on, this drama that was called Hotel like back in the 80's that created a very glamorous picture of what it was like to work in a hotel.  And I think that kind of, in some way, when I got to college I thought I was gonna be like that, you know?  This glamorous Connie Sellecca lady that you know ran the hotel.  So it was a rude awakening when I was like crawling around taping wires to the floor for like a food and beverage banquet, you know?  So anyway I got the job with Windham, they put me in Annapolis, Maryland, which I had – you know great city but I had no friends there.  You didn't really make a lot of friends working in this small hotel in the city and I was just – I was so unhappy. 

I wasn't happy at work, I wasn't happy with what I was doing and this was an instance where my dad came down to Annapolis.  He drove down to Annapolis, took me to lunch and he said, "You know this isn’t right for you.  You need to figure out, you know, and you don't need to do it tomorrow, you don't need to do it the next day but I think you need to figure out what you want to do and make a change and figure out how you’re gonna get there."  So that was like such an "Aha!" moment for me that I could do something else.  You know, my major -- I didn't have to do my major.  So – and that was huge because then I started just kind of looking around and I think kind of opening my mind a little bit.  You know, back then I knew I loved food but I wasn't at all thinking like food career 'cause when I thought food I thought, "Okay restaurant management," so that wasn't clicking.

Long-Term Career Benefits of an Entry-Level Job - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 5 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Did You Learn in Your First Job Out of College at Accenture That is Still Relevant?"  Pryor finds working at Accenture, named Andersen Consulting at the time, a great transition period from student mode to career mode.  Takeaways include long-term relationships learning from start group peers as well as time management skills he still uses today.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

What are the Benefits of Working at a Large Company - Ramsey Pryor

In Chapter 6 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Ramsey Pryor answers "What Value Do You Get Working at a Big Company That You Do Not Get Working at a Small Company or Startup?"  Pryor shares his experience starting his career at Accenture and, after several years working at small companies, now working at IBM.  At large companies, Pryor gets world-class, business-tested ways of doing things.  He finds this is useful and something to compare against working at a startup straight out of college.  Pryor is currently a product management executive at IBM focused on cloud-based communication and collaboration software.  Previously he was VP Product Marketing at Outblaze, acquired by IBM.  Pryor earned an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Northwestern University. 

How to Turn Unpaid Internship Into a Paid Entry Level Job - Lulu Chen

In Chapter 6 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, fashion stylist Lulu Chen answers "What Advice Do You Have for Young Fashion Professionals to Stay Encouraged From That Transition of Unpaid Internships to Paid Entry Level Jobs?"  She shares how aspiring fashion professionals working unpaid internships need to stay positive and keep trying and building experience.  She notes if the love is there, opportunities will emerge.  Contacts and relationships matter and Chen shares how they are fundamental to making the transition.  Lulu Chen is a New York City based fashion stylist.  Chen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying design and art history from the University of Michigan.