Doors to Opportunity Podcast with Dr. Susan Huard

Sharon Gibadlo, who is Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, and Donna Lukasiak, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at UNH in Manchester, provide an inside look at the admissions process for all transfer students interested in attending four-year colleges.

Cheryl Wilkie, the director of the Farnum Center, and Richard Boucher, a rehabilitation specialist there, discuss the challenges and rewards of working with individuals to battle their addictions.

Susan speaks with Michael Skelton, President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce about what the Chamber does to to boost the area’s economy and job market, as well as educational and other opportunities available to individuals through the Chamber.

Cynthia Harrington, Business Development Manager for New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, and Dr. Kathy DesRoches, Director of Workforce Development at MCC discuss how employers are working with higher education to train workers for sought-after jobs, including jobs in the aerospace industry. An example they focus on is a current "Tube Fabrication and Forming" program designed by employers and taught at MCC.

Susan welcomes Trinnie Houghton, an Executive and Organizational Coach and Partner at Sojourn Partners, to discuss preparing for a job interview. Trinnie shares tips to enable job candidates to feel more relaxed and in control when facing one of life's most stressful situations.

We hear about issues like climate change, air pollution, water quality, forest protection and conservation nearly every day in the news. These are important discussions, which are also fields with a wide variety of career opportunities. Two employees from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services – Chris Skoglund of the Air Resources Division and Amy Smagula from the DES Water Division – discuss environmental career options.

Nationally, approximately 20 to 25% of community college students transfer to a four-year college. And 60% of those who do so, earn a bachelor’s degree within four years. Research also shows that for those students who transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions, they are generally very well prepared for the coursework and for navigating college life. Bonnie Argeropoulos, Academic Advisor at Granite State College, and Lauren Smith, Career Development and Transfer Advisor at Manchester Community College discuss the New Hampshire Dual Admission Program.

To quote William Shakespeare's comedy, As You Like It, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." On this show, Susan welcomes Jim Roach, president of J-J-R Productions, who produces events for a variety of entertainment clients, and Don Davis, who is a saxophonist and teaches at the Manchester Community Music School. They discuss pursuing careers in the performing arts.

Statistics show financial sector jobs will grow 16% over the next ten years, one of the largest increases in any sector. Average pay in finance is a strong $75,000 per year, and that largely depends on where you work and what job you specifically choose. Newton Kershaw, managing director and head of acquisitions and finance for Elm Grove Companies joins Susan to discuss various financial career paths.

Erika de Beckers, veterinarian at Ark Animal Homecare and Maura Wentworth, veterinary technician join Susan to discuss careers working with animals. Like many healthcare professions, there’s lots of on-the-job training and each day is different than the next!