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/

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay

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

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay

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

Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay