Planned Happenstance: How Chance Influences Our Careers

Finding Your Zone: Career Lessons From a Counselor, Teacher, and Mentor with David Craig

David Craig, longtime career counselor at Cal Poly Pomona and now recently retired, has helped thousands of students discover their direction and confidence along the way. In this episode, David reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the mentors who guided him, and the lessons he learned through decades in higher education. He shares thoughtful insights on the power of self-awareness in finding the right career fit, why taking risks often leads to deeper satisfaction and growth, and how happenstance opportunities can shape meaningful paths. David also discusses how retirement has become a launching point for new beginnings in life and career coaching, reminding listeners that personal and professional growth doesn’t stop at any stage of life. 👉Connect with David Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwcraig3/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwcraig3/]  📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com [chancecareerstories@gmail.com]  Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/users/penguinmusic-24940186/]

From the Stage to Startups with Shannon Shroyer

From the world of professional ballet and fine art to venture capital, Shannon Shroyer’s career journey is anything but conventional. Now serving as Head of Platform and Operations at Matchstick Ventures, Shannon shares how networking, initiative, and being open to opportunity played pivotal roles in each of her career transitions. She reflects on how the discipline, creativity, and resilience cultivated through ballet became powerful transferable skills that continue to shape her leadership style today. Shannon also explores her growing interests within the AI ecosystem  and her passion for building meaningful and supportive founder communities. Her story is a compelling reminder that a “third career” isn’t a departure from the past, but a continuation that draws from every chapter before it. 👉Connect with Shannon Shroyer:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-stobbe-shroyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-stobbe-shroyer]  📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com [chancecareerstories@gmail.com]  Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/users/penguinmusic-24940186/]

Coding Through the Doubt: From Pharmacy Tech to Front-End Dev with Maude Simpson

Former pharmacy technician turned front-end developer at SAS, Maude Simpson, shares the story of their non-linear career journey and the planned happenstance moments that shaped it. Maude opens up about embracing imperfection, confronting self-doubt, and taking action like pursuing a coding bootcamp even when the path ahead felt uncertain. They highlight the power of support systems, the influence of unexpected allies, and the importance of challenging negative self-talk throughout the process. Whether you are navigating a career shift, battling imposter syndrome, or simply trying to move forward in uncertain times, this episode is for you! 📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com [chancecareerstories@gmail.com]  Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/users/penguinmusic-24940186/]

Building a Career that Matters with mike knox

From his early days in higher education to his transition into Learning and Development within the financial services sector, mike knox reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his path and the unexpected turns that led him to found the Mattering Lab, an organization dedicated to delivering customized leadership and team development training, primarily within the video game industry. In this conversation, we explore themes of lifelong learning, transparency in career goals, and the power of failure as a catalyst for growth. mike also shares his passion for creating inclusive spaces where others can thrive, his philanthropic work with Gamers for CHOC and WIGI, and his ongoing mission to cultivate a more connected and compassionate gaming community. Whether you are navigating your own career crossroads or seeking inspiration from a story grounded in purpose and possibility, this conversation is a reminder that chance can be one of our greatest teachers. 👉Connect with mike knox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-knox [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-knox] https://matteringlab.com [https://matteringlab.com]  📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com [chancecareerstories@gmail.com]  Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/users/penguinmusic-24940186/]

AI, Adaptability, and the Future of Work with Logan Currie

As the world of work continues to evolve, Logan Currie is on a mission to explore how AI is transforming career development. As the Co-founder and COO of Careerspan, an AI-powered career guidance and talent matching platform, Logan shares insights on learning, adaptability, and the future of work. She dives into navigating uncertainty in entrepreneurship, the importance of building a strong professional presence, and how embracing planned happenstance can open unexpected opportunities. Logan’s journey highlights how technology, reflection, and human connection shape modern career paths.  👉Connect with Logan Currie: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-currie⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-currie/] ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@loganlearning⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@loganlearning]  💻Learn More About Careerspan: https://mycareerspan.com⁠ [https://mycareerspan.com]  Careerspan is completely free! It helps you turn your experience into a compelling story, matches you with fitting roles, gives you a personalized “fit score,” and uses AI coaching to showcase your real skills and achievements—so you stand out beyond your résumé. 📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com [chancecareerstories@gmail.com]  Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/users/penguinmusic-24940186/]