Learning From Experience

“We want to make sure that we continue to grant as many life changing wishes for children in the Arizona community as possible, and that means also making sure that we're able to expand our efforts of recruiting volunteers statewide.” Nicole Waldmann graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2020 with a degree from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change. Today, she serves as the community engagement manager at Make-A-Wish Arizona. Listen to Waldmann's advice about engaging with notable nonprofits and making a difference in the latest Learning From Experience podcast.

"Biomedical research goes into making all of the life saving medications that people take in order to keep themselves healthy. It goes into cancer treatment. It goes into infectious disease treatment, vaccines, all of the things that keep us healthy and safe." Chloe Leff graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2024 with degrees in biochemistry and, molecular biosciences and biotechnology. Leff says her undergraduate research experiences set her up for future success. Currently she is attending another prestigious university to pursue her PhD in cellular and molecular biology with a concentration in gene therapy and vaccines. Listen to Leff’s insights on how to get involved in research and start the PhD process in the latest episode of Learning From Experience.

"Give yourself the allowance to know that there are no wrong choices in whichever move that you make." Michael Houang graduated from Arizona State University in 2018 as a triple major in sociology, economics and business with an emphasis in global politics. Houang's passion for international affairs and higher education took the Arizona native to China as an English education volunteer, Georgia as a political grassroots organizer and now Illinois as a program specialist for the Peace Corps. Listen to Houang’s advice on moving to a new place to pursue your personal and professional goals.

"More likely than not, you’re going to have all these credentials, you’re going to have something about you that deserves a higher market value." Lainey Waldman graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with a degree in actuarial science. Now she works as a health care actuarial senior analyst with The Cigna Group. Listen to Waldman’s guidance on how to negotiate your salary, as well as other helpful tips on preparing for your dream job.

"Don’t be afraid to figure out what works and doesn’t work for you — don’t be afraid of failure. You’re not going to know what works for you, your family and your obligations if it’s not trial and error." Sally Velez graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with degrees in English and history. Today she is working with Dog Tag, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., as a development coordinator and is working on obtaining her master’s degree in library science. Listen to Velez discuss how she manages her grad program with life outside of the classroom.

"Take time to try everything and find out what you’re good at. Be like your mentors, be like your colleagues — absorb information and experiences from other people." Kara Gasperone graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in family and human development, followed by a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy in 2010. Today she has her own practice in the Phoenix area and is an Emerging Leader at The College. Listen to how Gasperone built her therapy practice from the ground up.

"They really taught me the importance of finding a mission and networking in order to get that mission done. That helped me out a lot when it came to getting my venture off the ground at a young age." Aimee Parker graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in African American studies. She has since launched her own advertising agency and cofounded an app that leverages artificial intelligence to create paid marketing solutions for women. Listen to Parker’s journey to building a successful business.

"Things change, people change and so do our interests. It’s only human and natural for us to want to keep evolving, especially when it comes to career paths." Lilliana Gonzalez graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2022 with bachelor’s degrees in history and justice studies. She now works in insurance authorizations and has written several plays after originally intending to attend law school. Listen to Gonzalez’s journey to her career today after changing course.

“The most surprising thing that I’ve learned about myself and my career interests is the significance of flexibility and openness to new opportunities.” Danielle Leonhardt graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences (conservation biology and ecology) and a minor in sustainability. After originally pursuing a career in sustainability, she now works as a research specialist in the data science industry. Listen to Leonhardt talk about what it’s like to pursue a job outside her degree area.

"(Having multiple skill sets) has helped me to not only advance in my career, but it gives me a seat at more tables because I bring more perspectives from different places." Karen Gribosh graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with a master’s degree in sociology. She currently works as a crisis intervention and IEP counselor at the Lincoln Center for Family and Youth. Listen to Gribosh discuss how developing multiple sets of skills has helped her thrive throughout her career.

"It’s amazing how the community will come together for you and your mission.” Sandra Stewart graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with a degree in English and a minor in political science. After overcoming homelessness in her childhood, she is now in law school and founded a nonprofit for houseless youth called “Light the Way Birthdays.” Listen to Stewart talk about how she is using her degree to give back to the community.

"If you can find those things that drive you, that’s the key. Explore and try to find what sparks that passion and meaning in your life." Aditya Khuller earned a master’s degree and PhD in geological sciences from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University after completing his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He is currently working for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he studies planetary ices, surfaces and atmospheres. Listen to Khuller talk about how he found his passion and how he pursued a career that aligned with his interests.

"The first thing I did was take a step back. For me that was taking time to sit down and evaluate what am I doing right now with my life, what do I need to change and what can I do to do that." In 2023, Esteban Espinoza earned a degree in global studies with a minor in Asian languages from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University. Now he’s pursuing his master’s degree in global security and is in Indonesia with ASU’s Critical Languages Institute program learning a new language and culture. Listen to Espinoza talk about his experiences with being burnt out and the methods he used to navigate those feelings.

"There is this saying that is the basis of Zen philosophy, which is life is one continuous mistake. It’s this circle of continuous learning through mistakes and through experiences. Don’t be afraid." After a life on the road as a touring musician, Peter Costa attended Arizona State University to pursue a degree in physics from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as a degree in music composition. Listen to Costa discuss how embracing mistakes and asking questions can lead to entrepreneurial success.

"'Perfect' is an allusion. Let yourself enjoy the experience and let yourself learn," said Courtney Barger. Barger earned two degrees from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2020, one in economics and the other in justice studies. She then went on to complete law school. Listen to Barger discuss how her dual degrees helped her become an adaptable law student.

"Trial and error is not the enemy. Even though it’s hard, [that] doesn’t mean it’s impossible. So, try to see what you can do... and try as many things as you possibly can," said Hannah Johnson. Johnson graduated with two bachelor’s degrees from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2021, one in philosophy and the other in political science. Currently, she works as a policy advisor for the Office of the Arizona Governor. Listen to Johnson discuss how experiencing many diverse internships helped develop her career.

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is pouring into your own cup.” Elaissia Sears obtained her BA in global studies with a minor in German from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2017. In 2019, Sears became the youngest person, and the third African American woman in Arizona history, elected Justice of the Peace for the West Mesa Justice Court. Hear her reflect on how she balances a fulfilling life of public service as an elected official but remains grounded.

Rayne Simmonds earned a Bachelor of Arts in film and media studies from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2018. She reflected on her career as a junior creative producer and how a move to Los Angeles developed her artistic approach. "I wanted to make the next step into full-time creative," noted Simmonds. "I’m able to learn, grow, fail... all of those things, but under the guidance of someone who’s a lot more experienced than me." Hear more of Simmonds’ insights into how the ASU community helped her on journey.

"Because of my life experiences, all the things I went through... the only thing I could do is to go to school and get a higher education, so that someday I would be able to advocate for the voiceless," said Murray. Prince Murray fled conflict in Liberia and settled in the United States as a child. Despite numerous obstacles, he completed his bachelor’s degree in political science with honors from the School of Politics and Global Studies at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2021. Hear Murray explain his drive to turn his challenges and education at ASU into a career of community and public service.

Madison Billingsley earned a biochemistry degree from the School of Molecular Sciences and a global health degree from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2020. Billingsley then went on to receive a master’s degree in international health from another prestigious university. Now, she’s on the path to her dream career by attending medical school. “What I’m passionate about is education and empowering people to feel confident in their knowledge, especially when it comes to health,” said Billingsley. Hear Billingsley discuss her academic journey toward medical school and how she’s utilizing the skills she learned at ASU in the field of public health.