How Toneise Built A Career Outside the Traditional 9 to 5

How to Create a Career Plan

In this episode of Promoted, Merit America career coach Maria Villalobos explains why having a clear career plan matters in today’s fast-changing job market. She breaks down what a career plan is, how to define what you want, research your path, and map out the steps toward a job and future you feel good about.   Learn more about Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/promoted-podcast/].   CREDITS: Host: Maria Villalobos Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan Created by Merit America This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/] Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=NWltdHB0Yjl6c2p0] Junior Producer: Devanshi Chandak [https://www.instagram.com/adriannelenkerismylove25?igsh=ZzVnZ3djdmYxdXc0]   Sound Editor & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en], Lakshman Parsuram [https://www.instagram.com/february_31st/] Visual Design: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWtsc2xnOGF0cWZjZw==]   Support Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/]: https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/ [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/].

How to Answer the ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ Question

On this episode of Promoted, Merit America career coach Anne-Marcelle Kouame breaks down how to master the interview question that sets the tone for everything: “Tell me about yourself.” She explains why the first few minutes matter, how to craft a compelling present-past-future answer, and how to use an “I am” statement to showcase your personality and transferable skills — especially if you're changing careers. Learn more about Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/promoted-podcast/].   CREDITS: Host: Anne-Marcelle Kouame Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan Created by Merit America This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/] Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=NWltdHB0Yjl6c2p0] Junior Producer: Devanshi Chandak [https://www.instagram.com/adriannelenkerismylove25?igsh=ZzVnZ3djdmYxdXc0]   Sound Editor & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en], Lakshman Parsuram [https://www.instagram.com/february_31st/] Visual Design: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWtsc2xnOGF0cWZjZw==]   Support Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/]: https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/ [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/].

How Sadie Used Creativity and Passion To Fuel Her Career Transition

On this episode of Promoted, Merit America alum Sadie Cassidy talks to her former Merit America career coach, Anne-Marcelle Kouame, about how she was able to recognize and communicate her transferable skills in her job search. Sadie opens up about how she discovered strengths she hadn’t recognized before and explains how everyday experiences can translate directly into in-demand job skills. Sadie also shares about how applying her practical skills to her hobbies (like anime – a hobby she and Anne-Marcelle share) and personal projects helped her hone her skills even more.    Learn more about Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/promoted-podcast/].   CREDITS: Host: Anne-Marcelle Kouame Guest: Sadie Cassidy Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan Created by Merit America This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/] Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=NWltdHB0Yjl6c2p0] Junior Producer: Devanshi Chandak [https://www.instagram.com/adriannelenkerismylove25?igsh=ZzVnZ3djdmYxdXc0]   Sound Editor & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en], Lakshman Parsuram [https://www.instagram.com/february_31st/] Visual Design: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWtsc2xnOGF0cWZjZw==]   Support Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/]: https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/ [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/].

How to Build your Career Confidence

Joey Ratcliff, a Merit America career coach, takes you through how building confidence is key to breaking out of low-wage work and creating the career you want in this episode of Promoted. Learn why confidence isn’t always “faking it till you make it,” but about connecting with your story, practicing your skills, and visualizing your future. From recognizing transferable strengths to celebrating small wins, Joey shares practical strategies to help you navigate your career with confidence .    Learn more about Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/promoted-podcast/].   CREDITS: Host: Joey Ratcliff Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan Created by Merit America This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/] Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=NWltdHB0Yjl6c2p0] Junior Producer: Devanshi Chandak [https://www.instagram.com/adriannelenkerismylove25?igsh=ZzVnZ3djdmYxdXc0]   Sound Editor & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en], Lakshman Parsuram [https://www.instagram.com/february_31st/] Visual Design: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWtsc2xnOGF0cWZjZw==]   Support Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/]: https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/ [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/].

How Toneise Built A Career Outside the Traditional 9 to 5

On this episode of Promoted, Toneise talks about building a career different from the traditional 9 to 5 job – transitioning from being a senior Store Manager to a User Tester, working as a Program Advisor for kids, and launching her boutique. She reflects on navigating big moves, translating her hands-on skills from “physical to digital,” and the importance of keeping personal projects and creative pursuits alive, even while working temporary jobs. She shares how embracing being different and focusing on mindset helped her build a career – and life – that aligns with her vision and ambitions.    Learn more about Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/promoted-podcast/].   CREDITS: Host: Joey Ratcliff Guest: Toneise Holmes Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan Created by Merit America This is a Maed in India [https://www.maedinindia.in/] production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en] Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome [http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome] Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar [https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/] Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha [https://www.instagram.com/short___round?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=NWltdHB0Yjl6c2p0] Junior Producer: Devanshi Chandak [https://www.instagram.com/adriannelenkerismylove25?igsh=ZzVnZ3djdmYxdXc0]   Sound Editor & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni [https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en], Lakshman Parsuram [https://www.instagram.com/february_31st/] Visual Design: Alika Gupta [https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWtsc2xnOGF0cWZjZw==]   Support Merit America here [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/]: https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/ [https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/].