The CareerCast: Recent Episodes
The CareerCast
Whether you are searching for meaning in your professional journey, or just want some advice on turning a passion project into a full-time career, The CareerCast is here for you. Ever week, we talk to people undergoing the same struggles you are, but have found a way to find purpose in their pursuit of passion. Real stories from real people that will inspire you to make that professional leap, that's what The CareerCast promises.
Have you heard the saying - "data is the new oil?" Well, that's what we discuss in this episode of The CareerCast. Speaking with data analyst Mary Shana Thankam, we explore what it takes to get into the industry, and why you should consider it for your career path. Along the way, we also explore the subtle difference between data science and analytics and how you can jump into the industry from other completely unrelated ones.
The audio clip you heard in this episode is from Alex The Analyst's YouTube video, which can be found at this link. If you'd like a more detailed dive into the career path, check out this blog by Career Foundry.
Gen Z has demands, and leaders are paying attention. Today, the old leadership styles just won't cut it, especially regarding two key areas - social and environmental justice. In this episode, we explore the nuances of leadership styles and the expectations of Gen Z. We also get personal with our own experiences with leadership, and what we'd like to see. This is the final episode of our 5 part series on Gen Z.
To learn more about climate quitting, check out this report by KPMG. If you'd like to learn more about Disney vs Ron DeSantis, hear this episode of Today, Explained by Vox.
Budgeting is not something we are taught in school. So naturally, managing money isn't something many people are good at, especially at the start of their careers. If you've struggled with finance, this episode is just for you. We speak to Mohit Shenoy, a wealth management expert from India. He walks us through the basics of financial management, and how to make your money work for you. From understanding the difference between savings and investments to figuring out where to park your money, Mohit walks us through all the basics a fresh grad should know heading into their first job.
What do you look for when deciding on a job offer? Apart from salary, you should always look at the employee benefits the company offers. This could vary from mental health days to free breakfasts, and health insurance to an onsite gym. Of course, in 2023 a lot of employee benefits have been cut back on, but that doesn't mean they aren't important. To help us understand why they matter, and how employees can make sure they get benefits that work for them, we spoke to Dubai-based HR professional Nashrah Siddiqui. Through her experience, she helped us understand why benefits still matter, and how employers are trying to keep up with the changing times.
If you loved what you heard, please do follow The CareerCast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to keep up to date with our latest episodes.
Do you prefer to work remotely, at the office, or a hybrid model? What about the duration of your work week, do you think 5 days is too long? These are questions that are now being actively discussed and debated by both employers and employees. To get a sense of where Gen Z stands, and how employers are responding, we had a chat with Dubai-based HR professional Nashrah Siddiqui. As someone with their finger on the pulse for various generations, she helped us understand the challenges of the "new normal", and what fresh graduates need to keep in mind when hunting for jobs.
The audio clip in this episode is from a September 2022 episode of CNBC's 'Squawk Box' featuring Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton and venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary. If you'd like to learn more about the history of the work week and the evolution of a "weekend", check out this 2023 article by Erin Blakemore for National Geographic.
If you loved what you heard, please do follow The CareerCast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to keep up to date with our latest episodes.
Education is perhaps the most important investment we will all make in our life, so why doesn't it prepare us better for the workplace? To help us understand the gap, and how it is being addressed, we spoke to Dr. Lata Swaminathan, an Associate Professor affiliated with Mumbai University. She helped us break down the challenges of today's education systems, as well as how students can take control and prepare themselves.
The audio clip in this episode is from a 2022 report by NBC News that can be accessed via this YouTube Link. For more information on the current state of higher education as well as global statistics, you can refer to this 2022 UNESCO report. For more information on "degree inflation", do check out this BBC article from 2021.
If you loved what you heard, please do follow The CareerCast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to keep up to date with our latest episodes.
Plan to take a leap into a new city, job, or even industry? If so, this episode is for you. A former engineer, Urvashi decided to jump into acting, embracing the uncertainty and challenges of the industry head-on. Hear her story and advice on how you too can make such a leap, while remaining confident of making it big.
Running a business is no easy job, especially in a cut-throat environment where profit is vital to survival. That race though, can have serious consequences for employees. As a former employee of a McDonalds restaurant, Evan knows a thing or two about employee benefits. On this episode of The CareerCast, he shares with us his learnings from his brief time at the fast food giant, and how he learnt to embrace employees welfare.
Sometimes in life, we need to take a bold step into the unknown. Whether it's a new city, job, or industry, there are plenty of opportunities for us to start fresh. But how do you make the most of your new path? To answer that, this week on The CareerCast, we talked to Aman Dhall. No stranger to starting fresh, Aman's varied experiences has made him somewhat an authority on the topic. If you too plan to start something new, Aman's advice could be just the thing you need.
This episode of The CareerCast is hosted by Afnan Ahmed and Srivats Lakshman.
When it comes to many aspects of our lives, a lot of us are told to "never settle". However, chasing the constant perfect can have massive implications, both for our mental and physical health. This week on The CareerCast, we explore the idea of satisfaction with Rubal Mehta, a Delhi-based architect. She walks us through her own life experiences and how she has made peace with who she is, and where she is. Along the way, she also guides us on how we too can learn to draw a line.
This episode of The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman and Afnan Ahmed.
The word potential has a significant weight on our professional lives, which is why this week on The CareerCast we decided to explore the term. From understanding what potential actually means, to how we can live up to it, Jaskanwar Singh joins us for a wide-ranging interview on the subject. As a CEO & founder who balances several other jobs, Jaskanwar's story should inspire you to do more.
The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (_nan_man_).
"Do what you love, love what you do" is a popular Blackberry slogan from when the brand was a thing. While the company may no longer be around, the sentiment of that statement very much is. But how do you identify what you love? To discover that, The CareerCast sat down with Humans of Canines founder Poorvaja Kumar. She takes us through her long and winding career, based on her singular passion for social work. She also speaks about the importance of diverse experiences, and how we can learn to love our jobs, even when they might not seem like what we wanted to do initially.
You can find Poorvaja on Instagram at @humansofcanines. The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_).
There's no easy way to define success, especially in the modern workplace. So how should we look at success? According to engineer-turned-advertiser Ayshwarya Sharma, there's no need to have a single definition. In this episode of The CareerCast, Ayshwarya uses her own life as an example of how success should be seen, and how people can measure their success. She also gives us some tips on building a work-life-balance that works.
If you loved what you heard, don't forget to check out Ayshwarya and her work at https://ayshwaryasharma.com. The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman and Afnan Ahmed, who can be found on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Loving something is easy, but finding a way to turn it into a sustainable career can be quite a challenge. Faheem Hassan found a way to bridge that through product marketing, and now he has some advice for all of you. The CareerCast sat down with Faheem to find out how we can identify our passions, and how to ensure they are viable careers. In between, he drops some incredible advice on creativity, and how creatives can make it big, within the existing structures of businesses.
Automation promises an exciting future, which is why everyone is betting big on it. Inspired by the possibilities, Indraneel Patil decided to venture into the industry. In this episode of The CareerCast, he talks to us about why he chose to study and work in robotics, and what students need to keep in mind if they too want to enter this industry.
The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man). Please do remember to follow us on social media for more great updates and insights into the wide range of options the 21st century economy has to offer.
Who doesn't love travelling? For Shreyas, it is so much more than a hobby though. His love for offbeat destinations, and interest in "experiencing" the world around him led Shreyas to create MapMyStories. In this episode of The CareerCast, the travel entrepreneur talks to us about turning his passion into a sustainable career choice, while giving clients a look at a completely different side of India. He also tells us about his journey so far, and how sometimes your career need not be a single linear path.
If you love what you heard, you can check out MapMyStories on Instagram, or via their website: https://www.mapmystories.com. The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man).
For decades, engineering has been seen as a "must", but how many engineers are really passionate about what they do? Meet Sultan Morbiwala, a Dubai-based mechatronics engineer who loves machines so much, he started his own company to ideate, design, and manufacture them. Fusing mechanical with electronics engineering can be fun, as Sultan shows. He also gives us some insight into entrepreneurship, and building a better word for the future.
The CareerCast is hosted Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_). If you liked what you heard, do remember to follow the show for more informative and insightful episodes on a variety of careers. You can check out Sultan's work at Macoma Tech.
Who hasn't dreamed about being a pilot as a child? Unlike many of us, First Officer Shaaz Haneef decided to pursue exactly that dream. Armed with some inspiration from the Tom Cruise classic 'Top Gun', Shaaz now flies for a leading airline in the Middle East. In this episode, he talks about the technical requirements of being a pilot, and what all budding aviators need to prepare for. The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_). If you liked what you heard, do remember to follow the show for more informative and insightful episodes on a variety of careers.
Weddings are a big business, so naturally they make a great career option. In this episode of The CareerCast, Christina talks about discovering a passion for design and channelling that through bridal styling. From the bridal dress to makeup, and everything in between, Christina is the go-to for brides in the UAE. Maybe her journey will inspire you to jump into the business of weddings?
The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_). You can find Christina on Instagram at @couturewithchristina.
Getting fit is a huge challenge for many, but if done right, it has so many knock on effects. From your confidence to your personality, you will be a whole new person if you get your fitness routine just right. That's the mission Agish Kavathil is on, through his own fitness business in Dubai. Here him talk about channelling his love for fitness into a career, and shaping the lives of many people around him.
The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_). You can find Agish on Instagram at @agish.k, and check out his offerings at www.akfitness.co
For hundreds of years, martial arts has been the way of life for millions of people around the world. Today, it's mostly seen as a hobby, with few pursuing it as an actual career. Not Master Josh though. A Taekwondo master based in Dubai, Josh has been on a journey of self-discovery since taking up the art form. Hear him speak about a career in Taekwondo, and how it has benefitted his mind, body and soul. We hope it inspires you to take your hobbies and passions to the next level!
The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_).
Whether it's a Galaxy Far Far Away... or Iron Man, a majority of the entertainment we consume today is the result of computer graphics and 3D animation. Building a career in that very industry is Minhaj Ali Khan, a Canada-based artist who grew up with a wild imagination. Hear Minhaj talk about his journey from doodling in school, to creating art for a living, and the lessons he learnt along the way. If you love art of any kind, this episode will certainly inspire you to turn it into a full-fledged career.
If you loved this episode, do check out Minhaj on Instagram (@mak_attakks). The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_).
Love to have your funny bone tickled? Then tune in to hear Prateek Hiranandani's trademark desi humour mixed with some great advice about life, careers, and taking risks. The Dubai-based comic offers some words of wisdom on how you can overcome your fear to take a big step forward in something you love. You may not be inclined to try stand-up, but we are sure after this, you'll definitely want to turn your hobby/passion into a career!
If you loved this episode, do follow @hiranandaniprateek on Instagram for more laughter and fun. The CareerCast is hosted by Srivats Lakshman (@srivi20) and Afnan Ahmed (@_nan_man_).
Food, it's what a lot of us live for. For Mayank Mokariya though, food means so much more. That's why he opened a pizzeria in Gujarat, India. Hear him talk about the challenges of building a business amidst the pandemic, and why more people need to get into the F&B industry. Along the way, Mayank also shares some tips on diversification, to keep the cash coming in, and how every experience, no matter how irrelevant, is a teaching moment.
In this one of a kind episode we venture into a subject and a field beyond just the technical aspects. Even career-wise, Counseling Psychology can be very rewarding and challenging at the same, but balance is the key. We invited Ananya Anurupa, a practicing counselor and psychotherapist to shed light on what it takes to build a sustainable career as a psychologist. Ananya brings perspectives from balancing income, growth, happiness, and overall sustainability of self. It's a special episode, for its hidden gems of insights and for the fact that we successfully produced the first 10 episodes of this podcast.
Love to dance? So does Mamata, which is why she decided to pursue classical dance as a career. Mamata is both a student and teacher, and has spent nearly two decades perfecting her skills. Hear her talk about how she manages to keep India's traditions alive, while being a full-fledged entrepreneur. Her journey could inspire you to step into the past, for your future too!
Love the movies? So does Swaroop. So he decided to do something that many might call mad - become a filmmaker. From working in advertising to Bollywood, Swaroop's had a very interesting journey so far. Hear him talk about the challenges, and rewards of being a filmmaker. Along the way, you'll learn what it's really like to work in Bollywood, and how you too can make it big in India's city of dreams!
Being a creator on social media is all the rage these days, but how do you make it sustainable? To answer that question, The CareerCast sat down with digital creator and culture journalist Shwetha Vasan, whose Instagram profile is quickly becoming the go-to for all things culture related. She talks about stepping into journalism, and how to create your own brand in the crowded space that is social media. Learn what it takes to stand out, and how to create content you can be proud of
Security and intelligence isn't just for the CIA, R&AW, or MI6, there's actually a massive private industry involved as well. If you've always been fascinated by the armed forces, why not consider a career in security research? If that sounds interesting, hear Vishal Sengupta talk about his journey in the industry, and what you need to build a successful career in the field.
Whether its the IPL, ISL, PKL, or any of other India's myriad sports leagues, there's an army of talent working behind the scenes to keep the players fit and match-ready. Meet one of those heroes - Dhruv Balaraman. Dhruv is a strength and conditioning coach for the Kochi Blue Spikers, and at The Sports School. Hear him talk about the skills, talents, and grind of being a fitness coach, and how you too can turn your love for fitness into a career.
Visuals are the backbone of the modern internet experience, and that's where photojournalists come in. Naveen Kumar is a freelance photographer who's covered everything from the farmer's protest in Delhi, to weddings. Listen to him talk about how anyone can be a photographer, and the key traits needed to succeed in the industry. You'll also learn about how you can start a career in photography, and how to make it sustainable.
We bring you a national level athlete turned sports and athletes manager. Shripoorna has not only helped multiple athletes train for the Paralympics and Olympics, but has also been part of an organisation that has been instrumental in India’s 7 of the 19 medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He shares the state of the sports journalism, management and the ecosystem in India, and how aspirants can build their careers in it.
We sit down with Samrat Nath, a public relations expert to speak about his journey from a science student, to a corporate communications expert at one of India's leading PR firms. He talks about the ups and downs of his journey, and what you need to succeed in the space today.
In this first episode of The Careercast, all three hosts of the show address the ever-growing need in the Indian youth to shift careers. How can we navigate the landscapes of different industries, and what can we do to find the right balance of success, rigor, learning and mental health.