Columbus Academy Alumni Career Advice Podcast: Recent Episodes
Columbus Academy
Columbus Academy alumni share career advice, as well as takeaways from their undergraduate and high school experiences in a podcast format hosted by current student leaders.
Our final Zoom@Noon of the 2023-24 school year features Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen introducing Director of Diversity & Community Life Pascal Losambe and Assistant Director of Diversity & Community Life for Lower School Davida Arnold for a discussion on diversity and community life initiatives at Columbus Academy.
Director of Parent Relations Melissa Clarke Beckett and PACA President Gaby May discuss with Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen the many volunteer opportunities parents have around our campus.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by longtime teacher and alumnus John Exline '64 to discuss the tuition assistance process and scholarship qualifications for Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by Director of Special Programs Alyssa King and Special Programs Coordinator Jessica Donovan to discuss the many after school programs offered as well as our well-known and ever-popular Summer Experience program.
Service Department Chair Christy Bening, as well as upper-schoolers Arya C. and Justin A., join Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance to discuss our student-led Service Board and the many schoolwide service initiatives.
Longtime faculty members Christy Bening and John Exline '64 join Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen for a discussion about their roles at Columbus Academy and the many unique academic offerings on campus.
Director of College Counseling Darnell Heywood and Associate Director of College Counseling Jen FitzPatrick, alongside host John Wuorinen our Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance, discuss the College Counseling Office's role in helping our upper-schoolers prepare for college and life outside of Columbus Academy.
Director of Athletics Jason Singleton and Assistant Director of Athletics Jacque DeMarco join Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen to discuss the many opportunities for students to be involved in athletics from our Middle and Upper School teams to the youth sports program.
Columbus Academy Student Alumni Board Representatives Grace P. '24 and Ellie S. '24 host alumnae Muriel Goldfarb '18, Sejal Jindal '21 and Aislinn Ahern '22 for a discussion about the college selection process, career paths they've chosen and other helpful topics regarding post-Academy life for our upper-schoolers.
Columbus Academy Student Alumni Board Representatives Stella L. '24 and Henry W. '24 host alumni Kevin Curry '03, Laura Linkinhoker '09, Mabry Nichols '20 & Charlie Stoner '22 for a discussion about the college selection process, career paths they've chosen and other helpful topics regarding post-Academy life for our upper-schoolers.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen hosts students from our Upper School to discuss leadership initiatives and opportunities at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen hosts upper school computer science teacher Dave Feinberg and middle school computer science and coding teacher Margaret Fowler to discuss the coding programs taught at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by faculty members Grace Gordon, Lindy Newman and Heather Downey to discuss the many outdoor educational opportunities our 231-acre campus provides.
Head of School Melissa Soderberg joins the first Zoom@Noon of the 2023-24 school year to discuss the Independent School Model, specifically that of Columbus Academy from our 3-Year-Old Explorers Program to Grade 12.
Associate Director of Admissions Lauren Leahy hosts Math Department Chair Katie Castle, Upper School Math Curriculum Coordinator/Teacher Emily Dennett and Lower School Math Curriculum Coordinator/3rd Grade Teacher Donna Saide to discuss mathematics across all three divisions at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by a group of faculty and staff from our upper school to discuss the daily schedule, engaging course offerings and extracurricular activities offered at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by Pascal Losambe and Davida Arnold to discuss their roles and the make up of our Diversity & Community Life initiatives at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by performing arts faculty members Whitney Eads and Ryan Jenkins to discuss the many offerings and events revolving around performing arts at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions and Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by longtime faculty member and alumnus John Exline '64 for a discussion on the process of tuition assistance at Columbus Academy.
This episode features Associate Director of Admissions Lauren Leahy guiding a discussion with Alyssa King and Julia Wing from our Special Programs Team about the highly-attended Summer Experience Program at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by Associate Head of Middle School Ed Rhee and Lower School Director of Academic Programs Gabriel Paynter to discuss the various aspects of character development our students learn throughout their career at Columbus Academy.
Technology Integration Specialist Todd Martin and middle school STEAM teacher Luke Howard host an inside look at the STEAM program at Columbus Academy alongside Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen in our MakerSpace.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by Director of Athletics Jason Singleton and Assistant Director of Athletics for Youth Sports Mary Deeds in our fieldhouse to discuss the many sports offerings and programs for our youngest students to upper-schoolers.
Students from our upper school join Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen to discuss various leadership opportunities and responsibilities at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by our College Counseling Team to discuss the college admissions process, how our counselors help students find the university that fits them best and answer some questions about its role at Columbus Academy.
Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen is joined by Associate Directors of Admissions Lauren Leahy (grades 2-8) and Lisa Spolter (Explorers-grade 1) to discuss various aspects of the admissions process at Columbus Academy.
Head of School Melissa Soderberg speaking about the Independent School Model alongside Director of Admissions & Tuition Assistance John Wuorinen.
An interactive panel discussion on Innovations in Healthcare, moderated by Mandy Mallott, J.D. MA ‘03, with 2023 Young Alumni Award recipient Sammy Levy '01, Kathleen Brumm Davenport '01, Ph.D. and Vince Panzano '00, Ph.D.
As a part of Career Fair 2021, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in government and law. Alumni Panelists David Hines '92 (Director, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and Ed Carter '96 (Partner at Jones Day) joined student alumni board representative and episode host Chris Shen '22 for a discussion on the many different avenues that working in the federal government and private sector legal field can take.
As a part of Career Fair 2021, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in healthcare. Alumni Panelists Dr. Anna Askari '09 (Family Medicine Physician at One Medical) and Dr. Audrey Young Raut '09 (Research and Clinical Fellow in Child Abuse at Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago) joined student alumni board representative and episode host McKenna Chow '22 for a discussion on the many different avenues a career in healthcare can take as well as advice for pursuing a job in the field.
As a part of Career Fair 2021, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in engineering. Alumni Panelists Gavin Richards '95 (Industrial Engineer at Veterans Health Administration) and Megan Aselton '10 (Territory Manager at Sanara MedTech) joined student alumni board representative and episode host Aleeza Yakoob '22 for a discussion on the many different avenues careers in engineering can take as well as advice for pursuing a job in the field.
As a part of Career Fair 2021, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in sports. Alumni Panelists Fred Barends '79 (Director of Operations Track/Field/Cross Country at The Ohio State University) and Julia Rizk '15 (Professional Athlete for Under Armour) joined student alumni board representative and episode host Aislinn Ahern '22 for a discussion on the many different avenues careers in sports can take as well as advice for pursuing a job in the field.
As a part of Career Fair 2021, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in business. Alumni panelists Elizabeth Benson '12 (Brand Strategy & Marketing Manager at Tripadvisor) and Conrad F. Wuorinen '12 (Associate, Global Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley) joined student alumni board representative and episode host Charlie Stoner '22 for a discussion on career opportunities and advice for those interested in business.
As a part of Career Fair 2021, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in the arts. Alumni panelists Patty McAvoy '03 (Owner of Patty McAvoy Designs), Linda Mullin '08 (Head of Costume Department at Shadowbox Live), Tracy Subisak '05 (Freelance Designer and Illustrator at Subi Works LLC) and Jeremy Summer ’01 (Executive Producer/Partner at Little Moving Pictures) joined student alumni board representative and episode host Cassidy Jones '22 for a discussion on career opportunities and advice for aspiring artists.
Jared Kass '21 hosts our final podcast of the 2020-21 school year with recent graduates Addis Boyd '18, Mira Bhasin '19, Jay Gokhale '20 and Livy Seline '20 as the group gives advice and discusses important topics on how to go about the college experience. From tips on time management and dorm life, to social connections and making the most of campus resources, this group brings a fresh perspective to the life of being a college student.
Suelin Qu '21 talks with Richard Curtabuke, M.D. '05 about his work as a physician in internal medicine & geriatrics for Cleveland Clinic, as well as his other roles in medicine and how his experience at Columbus Academy and as an undergraduate prepared him for a career as a doctor.
Jared Kass '21 speaks with Elizabeth Wood '01 about her career path to becoming an attorney working as a Guardian ad Litem with youth, children and their families, as well as the experience she has gained from college, law school and her time at Columbus Academy.
A program designed to pair advice-seekers with expert advice-givers, Continuing the Quest gives participants the chance to discover something new through enlightening professional development talks. Meet a panel of alumni, including Mark Ruberg '91, Producer at Fox Sports, Sheila Trautner '98, President/CEO of Taste Hospitality Group, and Darron Berquist '00, Managing Attorney at The Lanier Law Firm, as they discuss their respective professional careers and life experiences during this interactive event. Moderated by John Wuorinen '80, Academy's Director of Admissions and Tuition Assistance.
Jared Kass '21 is joined by Stu Harris '80 to discuss his career path to being a lawyer in property and casualty insurance for Nationwide Insurance, life lessons from his time at Columbus Academy and advice he gives to help young lawyers entering the field.
Jared Kass '21 speaks with Andrea Helf Reid '99, vice president of Franklin Glass Studios, Inc., regarding her career path in art and how strong connections she formed with teachers helped shape her time at Columbus Academy, as well as advice for young professionals.
Senior Nia Law '21 hosts Guy Hammond '04 to discuss his career path as a project manager for the Washington D.C. Department of Human Resources, as well as some advice he wishes to pass on to those exiting high school and looking to their next steps in college and as young professionals.
Senior Nia Law '21 hosts Allison Beach '03 to discuss her journey as an attorney for the office of civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education, along with how her Columbus Academy experience helped prepare her for college and beyond.
Patrick Daly '21 talks with Griffin Schnitzer '14 about his job as a recruiting operations analyst, takeaways from his time at Columbus Academy and advice for those just entering the workforce.
As a part of Career Week 2020, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in STEM, featuring Stephanie Brownstein '05, Environmental Engineer at Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Kathleen Szabo '11, Data Scientist at Visa, and Katerina Weikert '14, Sr. Commercial Engineer at Rockwell Automation.
As a part of Career Week 2020, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in government and politics, featuring Jeff Hobday '07, Senior Elections Counsel for Ohio Secretary of State, Brad Pyle '07, Political Director at Humane Society Legislative Fund, and Emily Carlin '13, Communications Director for U.S. Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16).
As a part of Career Week 2020, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in health, featuring Kathleen Brumm Davenport '01, Head of New Product Planning at Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Ben Meacham '11, Resident Physician at University Hospitals, and Emily Daoud '12, Registered Nurse at Duke University Hospital.
As a part of Career Week 2020, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in law, featuring Jim Garland '91, Partner at Covington & Burling LLP, Nick Reis '01, Associate at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, and Liz Mote '03, Partner at Kitrick, Lewis & Harris Co. LPA.
As a part of Career Week 2020, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in business, featuring Kevin Curry '03, Head of Sustainability Analytics at Amazon, Matt Van Buskirk '03, CEO at Hummingbird Fintech, and Aaron Marbley '08, Business Development Manager at Google Fiber.
As a part of Career Week 2020, the Alumni Office and Internships Office partnered to present an alumni virtual panel discussion for upper school students on the topic of careers in education, featuring Nate Gordon '88, Assistant Head of Lower School and Technology Coordinator at Bullis School, Margaux Munnelly '02, Principal at Mastery Charter School, and Bryan Panzano '08, Associate Director of University Engagement at Harvard University.
A program designed to pair advice-seekers with expert advice-givers, Continuing the Quest gives participants the chance to discover something new through enlightening professional development talks. "The Right Talent" panel discussion focused on best practices for job searching, recruiting and retaining talented employees, and leveraging the Academy network. Hear from panelists Mike Schlonsky '84, EVP of Human Resources at Big Lots, and Victoria Foreman '07, Recruiting Lead at Mix talent, as well as moderator Alex Freytag '87, Co-Founder and Partner at ProfitWorks.
Rachel Carpenter '01receives the 2019 Young Alumni Award and then participates in a panel discussion focused on the digital customer experience. In addition to Rachel, Global Head of Insights and Design Strategy at Citi, the panel includes Ricky Joshi '97,Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Saatva and Ryan Williams '08,Co-Founder and President, Jopwell) and is moderated by Chelsea Clements '05,Website Performance Marketing Manager for Green Growth Brands.