Episodes

  • S7 Ep9: An Author’s Advice: Careers in the Publishing Industry

    S7 Ep9: An Author’s Advice: Careers in the Publishing Industry
    Jan 7 2025
    Join co-hosts Megan Riksen and Grace Joaquin as they sit down with Caitlin Horrocks, author of one of Wall Street Journal’s Top Ten Books of 2019 and member of the GVSU Writing Department, to talk about all things books! From discussing her writing process to giving listeners advice on breaking into the publishing industry, Caitlin unshelves all the secrets to a successful writing career. This book-ish edition of the Work Like a Laker podcast is impossible to put down once you start listening, so get cozy and hit play!

    To find all of Caitlin Horrocks' books, visit her website: https://caitlinhorrocks.com/

    Read the full transcript here.

    Caitlin Horrocks recommends the following books:
    • West: A Translation by Paisley Rekdal (GVSU’s 2024 Poetry Night speaker): a genre-bending, genre-blending mix of poetry, nonfiction, images, and more, exploring the building of the transcontinental railroad through a chorus of different voices.
    • To Name the Bigger Lie by Sarah Viren: subtitled “a memoir in two stories,” the book explores unexpected connections between Viren’s memories of a charismatic, unsettling high school teacher, and, decades later, anonymous accusations made against her wife that trigger a Title IX investigation and upend their lives. It’s a compelling personal story with important things to say about truth, facts, and fakes.
    • Dearborn by Ghassan Zeineddine: this is a funny, sharp, moving debut short story collection set in the Arab American community in Dearborn, Michigan. Even if you don’t normally read short stories, I think you’ll find a lot to enjoy. My personal favorite is “Speedoman,” in which a mysterious man becomes an object of obsession at the local pool.
    #gvcareers #bookpublishing #authortalks #writing #careeradvice #worklikealaker
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    22 mins
  • S7 Ep8: Laker Stories: Adult Learners on Campus

    S7 Ep8: Laker Stories: Adult Learners on Campus
    Dec 3 2024
    On today’s Work Like a Laker episode, our hosts Megan Riksen and Dani Lauer get the chance to interview one of the 1300+ adult learners that are on our GV campus; and she just so happens to be one of our awesome Career Center interns, Shelby Huerta! Listen now to get an introduction to the students who bring diverse perspectives and experience to the classroom, hear firsthand about Shelby’s experience so far as an adult learner, and get exposed to a few of the resources available to this part of the Laker community.

    Read the full transcript here.

    #gvcareers #adultlearners #highereducation #learningresources
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    14 mins
  • S7 Ep7: Dining Like Professionals: All About Etiquette

    S7 Ep7: Dining Like Professionals: All About Etiquette
    Nov 19 2024
    This November, the Career Center held our ever-popular annual Etiquette Dinner to teach students the best practices for fine dining in professional settings. From learning which fork to use to how to properly butter bread, 150 GVSU students got the opportunity to put these skills into practice.

    If you weren’t part of the fun this time around, don’t worry! The Work Like a Laker podcast team has taken it upon ourselves to bring the experience to you. Listen to today’s episode, hosted by Megan Riksen and featuring special guests Cindy Brown and the GVSU Career Center Intern Cohort, to learn all the fine dining and networking tips that students heard at the Etiquette Dinner!

    Read the full transcript here.

    #gvcareers #etiquettedinner #finedining #networkingtips #whatforkshouldiuse
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    32 mins
  • S7 Ep6: What it's Really Like to Work in a Lab

    S7 Ep6: What it's Really Like to Work in a Lab
    Nov 5 2024
    If you’ve ever wondered what working in a lab actually entails, you’re not alone! From medical to environmental, there are many kinds of laboratories that offer diverse opportunities for students. Host Megan Riksen and special guests Dana Vaughan, Meagan Eggebeen, and Sara Brown break down how different labs are run, what day-to-day work looks like, and what you can do now to prepare for your future career in a lab.

    Read the full transcript here.

    Resources:
    STEM Career Community

    #gvcareers #stem #workinginalab #careerpath #careeradvice #stemjobs
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    32 mins
  • S7 Ep5: How to Gain Experience When Short on Time

    S7 Ep5: How to Gain Experience When Short on Time
    Oct 15 2024
    The problem: Building your resume with professional experiences is key to making your application stand out, but you don’t have the time to fit extra activities into your already jam-packed schedule.

    The solution: Micro-internships! Whether you’re limited on time or simply want to test out a potential career path, these short-term opportunities are the perfect way to gain experience without completely overwhelming your to-do list. Listen to today’s episode of Work Like a Laker to find out how, when, and why you should apply!

    Read the full transcript here.

    Resources:
    • Micro-Internships and Short-term Experiences Site
    • Build Projects through Open Avenues
    • Additional, unaffiliated micro experiences to explore:
      • Work Simplr: Short-term, paid, project-based work opportunities.
      • Forage Job Simulations: Job simulations build real-life skills for real-life roles, offering a window into the company and a preview of their day-to-day. Job sims are 100% free, open access and self-paced.
    #microinternships #worklikealaker #gvsu #jobopportunities #quickresumebuilders #gvcareers
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    18 mins
  • S7 Ep4: What Do Employers Really Look For?

    S7 Ep4: What Do Employers Really Look For?
    Oct 1 2024
    Join Megan Riksen and Grace Joaquin as they dive into the minds of GVSU employer partners. From resume tips to interview attire and everything in between, this episode reveals the secrets to making a lasting impression. Discover what employers value and the differences there might be among the seven career communities.

    Read the full transcript here.

    #gvcareers #employerquestions #worklikealaker #careerfair #jobrecruitment #jobopportunities #internships
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    24 mins
  • S7 Ep3: Alumni Episode: How to Beat Burnout

    S7 Ep3: Alumni Episode: How to Beat Burnout
    Sep 24 2024
    Have you ever felt exhausted from everything that’s piling up on your to-do list? Have you started to become more negative about your work, or maybe even felt like you just can’t get anything done? These are all signs of professional burnout, which can be really overwhelming and hard to overcome on your own. On today’s bonus episode of Work Like a Laker, hosts Megan Riksen and Dani Lauer are joined by career coach Kali Wolken to discuss the best practices to overcome burnout and get your groove back.

    Resources:
    • Kali’s Career Coaching Website
    • Career Coaching Database for Alumni
    • Burnout Book mentioned in episode: https://www.burnoutbook.net/
    Read the full transcript here.

    #selfcare #gvcareers #professionalburnout #overcomingstress #careeradvice #careercoaching
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    22 mins
  • S7 Ep2: Want to Work for the State of Michigan?

    S7 Ep2: Want to Work for the State of Michigan?
    Sep 17 2024
    Want expert application advice from one of Michigan’s biggest employers? Well, sign us up! On today’s episode of Work Like a Laker, Megan Riksen sits down with Cindy Whittum, the Recruitment and Internship Specialist with the State of Michigan, Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, to discuss how to best navigate the job-search process when applying with the state and stand out from other candidates.

    Resources:
    • Civil Service Commission hotline for follow-ups on your application (1-800-788-1766)
    • State of Michigan Employment
    • GVSU Career and Internship Fair
    Read the full transcript.

    #gvcareers #gvsu #worklikealaker #stateofmichigan #jobrecruitment #jobopportunities #internships #careeradvice
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    25 mins