The Social Change Career Podcast

On Episode 16 of Season 10 of The Social Change Career Podcast, we sit down with CEO of Atlas Corps, Bidjan Nashat to discuss the intersection of talent and opportunity in the social change sector. With a career history in organizations such as Save the Children International and Teach First Deutschland, Bidjan shares his insights and experiences in creating teams and cultures that have a positive impact. Drawing from his work on refugee response efforts, particularly during the mass migration of Syrians in Germany, Bidjan highlights the challenges of planning and responding in humanitarian work, emphasizing the importance of partnerships. The conversation also delves into the situation in Colombia with Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Inspired by the Arab Spring and Syrian revolution, Bidjan reflects on how these events have shaped his career decisions. Topic: Talent and Opportunity in the Social Change Sector Exploring the concept of talent in the social change sector Discussion on how talent can be found in unexpected places Bidjan's perspective on creating teams and cultures that have a positive impact Insights into the challenges of planning and responding in humanitarian work Highlighting the importance of partnerships in social change work Colombian Situation with Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees Discussion on the current situation in Colombia regarding Venezuelan migrants and refugees Bidjan's insights based on his experience and involvement in refugee response efforts Analysis of the challenges and opportunities in addressing this issues. Topic: Career Decisions and Influences - Bidjan's career decisions influenced by the Arab Spring and Syrian revolution How global events can shape one's career path in the social change sector Reflection on the motivations and inspirations behind Bidjan's career choices PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Introduction Our guest, Simon Wilks, a social impact expert with expertise in health, tech, and social impact in Africa, shares his valuable insights on working at startups, the hiring process, and the importance of building personal projects and contributing to open source projects. Simon also shares his experiences working in East Africa, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the tech industry and the importance of understanding local cultures and bridging cultural barriers. We also discuss the systemic inequities that make it harder for local founders and employees to succeed and the shifting focus towards supporting local organizations with local founders. In addition, we delve into the fascinating advancements in the East African tech ecosystem, such as the widespread usage of M Pesa, a mobile money product, and the potential for leapfrogging over developed markets in areas like electronic medical records and AI. We also touch on the demand for technical skills, the value of coding and AI knowledge, and the role of coding boot camps in acquiring these skills. 📚 Timestamped overview [00:00:14] Networking, learning, and opportunities in the impact sector. [00:08:47] Studied Business and Computer Science, found impactful job in Nairobi. [00:15:13] Advantages of working in a startup: diverse experience, opportunity for full involvement, choice of focus, potential financial payoff. Downsides: chaos, difficulty in work-life balance, high pressure. [00:20:19] Digitizing pharmacies for better medicine access [00:28:36] Discovery, strategy, implementation: rewarding, fun, gratifying. [00:31:12] "Build network, have conversations for social impact jobs" [00:36:38] Culture shock in East Africa, cross-cultural experiences. Learn local language for full experience. [00:43:54] M Pesa enables mobile money transfer in Kenya. [00:50:38] Tech growth in East Africa and Canada. [00:55:00] AI important, coding helpful, business side optional. [01:02:13] Emerging markets require more than pure tech. [01:06:06] Time management experiments reveal limited effectiveness. PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Introduction On Episode 14 of The Social Change Career Podcast, guest speaker Arthur Woods, a social entrepreneur, LGBTQ activist, and neurodiversity advocate, joins host Craig Zelizer to discuss the future of diversity, equity, inclusion in tech, and recruiting. Arthur shares valuable insights and recommendations for listeners interested in pursuing a career in this field. The episode kicks off with a discussion on online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, YouTube, and LinkedIn Learning, which provide access to free and premium curated courses for skill development. Arthur also highlights the importance of attending HR conferences like HR Transform and ASU GSE for networking and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Moving on to unconventional sources of educational content, Arthur emphasizes the rising popularity of platforms like Clubhouse and TikTok, particularly for their accessible and bite-sized educational content. He also discusses the increasing availability of remote job opportunities, particularly in the global health sector, and recommends job boards like PCDNs, LinkedIn, and Ripple Works for finding remote positions. Key Topics Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Tech and Recruiting Disney's public support for underrepresented communities in Florida Potential divide among companies in supporting underrepresented communities Importance of employers enacting progressive policies Lack of diversity in administration and higher ranks in the healthcare industry Representation gaps across various sectors Access to education as a crucial aspect of addressing diversity Trickle-down impact of inadequate education access on workforce trajectories Potential job displacements due to AI, particularly in customer service Workforce development, rescaling, and retooling for mobility and representation HR talent recruiting functions as a competitive advantage for organizations Leveraging new tools like Chatty Boutique for strategic work Creating inclusive and equitable work environments, beyond diversity alone Recruiting outside the industry and looking within the organization for talent Reducing bias in the hiring process through structured interviews and training The shift towards a more global workforce and distribution of teams during the pandemic Importance of well-put-together LinkedIn profiles for remote work management Increased openness to hiring individuals abroad with remote team experience Different types of executive search firms and their roles Joining a startup's leadership team through search firms and talent pools Researching and reaching out to search firms for job opportunities PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Episode Description Introduction On Episode 13, Season 10 of The Social Change Career Podcast, hosts Craig Zelizer and Catalina Rojas interviews Catalina Cock Duque, co-founder of Fundacion Mi Sangre and the Weaving Lab, a community of network weavers. Catalina shares her experience as a social entrepreneur and the skills necessary for her work, including empathy, creativity and a systems-thinking approach. She also discusses the power of "weaving" methodology, which involves bringing together all actors involved in a specific issue, building trust and vulnerability. Catalina emphasizes the importance of prioritizing well-being and joy in the workplace culture. The episode also explores Catalina's background and the experiences that inspired her to pursue a career in social impact. Timestamped Overview [00:05:52] Nature and family influenced activism and values. [00:11:24] Social entrepreneur shares experience and skills learned. [00:20:26] Inner development and trauma healing for change. [00:25:00] Celebrity Juanes is an inspiring activist. [00:29:33] Lack of knowledge, rich music, systemic change. [00:33:06] Weaving Lab promotes powerful community solutions. [00:40:12] Prioritizing well-being and joy at work. [00:44:44] Balance burnout, talk about uncomfortable truths. [00:49:06] Expanding globally, relationships over transactions important PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Introduction On Episode 12, Season 10 of The Social Change Career Podcast, host Craig Zelzer speaks with Darius Graham, Program Director at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, about his experience in philanthropy, social justice, and innovation. Darius shares insights on how to get hired for non-profit roles and emphasizes the importance of skills like problem-solving and managing unpredictability. He also talks about the legal training that has been useful throughout his career and how he's been involved in organizations like Social Innovation Lab and Fast Forward You. Listeners will learn about topics like foundations' funding processes, successful proposals, and the strong social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Baltimore. Darius stresses the importance of networking, developing skills like writing and synthesizing information, and the need to involve marginalized communities in decision-making. Tune in for an informative and thought-provoking discussion on social impact careers. Timestamped Overview [00:00:19] New podcast episode featuring Darius Graham on philanthropy, social impact, and careers. [00:08:25] Lawyer to social innovator for impact. [00:14:04] "Skills for social impact: listening, writing, analyzing" [00:22:04] Foundations have different processes for funding requests. [00:27:29] Various ways of hiring, impact-based candidates preferred. [00:33:05] Nonprofit boards serve as governance structures. Finding them involves networking and skill matching. [00:37:28] Advice on joining a board: network first. [00:46:49] Philanthropy engaging communities in decision-making. [00:52:16] Many job opportunities in innovation worldwide. PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Spencer Campbell, a seasoned recruiter, shares insights on negotiating salaries, job search process, and switching careers. They discuss the importance of continuous learning, networking, and building authentic relationships. Topics covered include negotiation tips, first job search advice, resume tips, understanding interviews and recruiters, and the importance of networking.

Introduction On Episode 10 of Season 10 of The Social Change Career Podcast, we talk with Joan Maria Godoy, the founder of Radical Partners, a Miami-based social impact accelerator that helps build and scale up innovative social ventures. We hear about her journey from studying clinical psychology to eventually pursuing a development career focusing on social psychology and communities. We also learn about her experiences with non-profits related to mental health and community restoration, and how she went on to work for the UN coordinating a program for economic empowerment for rural women in Guatemala. Later, she shares her insight on radical entrepreneurship and how to encourage collective initiatives such as The Ten Days of Connection movement in Miami. Finally, she gives tips on effective project planning and gathering relationships with people, skills that can be applied broadly in life. Don't forget to share and rate The Social Change Career Podcast on your favorite platforms. 📚 Timestamped Overview [00:00:20] Dr. Craig Zalzer interviews Joan Maria Godoy about her work at Radical Partners and promoting social impact in Miami. Joan has a background in psychology and international NGOs. [00:17:40] The conversation discusses the skill of rallying people around a vision and giving a clear call to action. Examples are given, including the Alumni Association of Holland Students in Guatemala, the 1 Billion Rising movement, and The Ten Days of Connection movement in Miami. [00:28:29] Radical partners is a hybrid organization with two funding sources, grants and consulting. They offer free programming and also provide consulting services. The organization is a mixture of an NGO and a company. While the hybrid model has its advantages, it can also be challenging. The founder is intentional about managing her time and balances her commitments to Radical Partners and personal growth. She has a schedule for her workdays that includes planning, quiet work, giving, strategizing, fundraising, and reflecting. She takes care of herself and uses Sundays to reset. [00:39:08] "Fuck Up Nights" is a movement originating from Mexico City, where people share stories about their failures and what led to them in order to help others avoid the same mistakes. The movement has spread to over 60 countries and 200 cities, and there is now a Failure Institute for those who are not comfortable with swearing. Radial Partners curate and run the network of Fuck Up Nights. [00:48:14] Building relationships is key to success, requiring a database of partners, clear call-to-actions, and tools to achieve objectives. Create a structure to manage people effectively. PCDN.global News Check out the previous Seasons & Episodes of our award-winning podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus Get daily access to job opportunities, community and network with other impact professionals. Learn with sector-experts and exclusive members only workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Introduction On this episode of The Social Change Career Podcast, the conversation focused on the need for diversity and inclusivity in current investment and work practices due to the pandemic. The guest speaker, Madison Marks, discusses her journey in entrepreneurship, development, innovation, and startups in the Middle East and around the world. Madison highlights the importance of validating problems, customer discovery, evidence of impact, and developing an impact framework for her work. Madison also emphasizes the significance of self-care to avoid burnout in social impact work. Moreover, listeners will learn about the UNICEF Venture Fund, which invests in early-stage companies, providing technical advice, and strategic mentorship. Additionally, the speaker gives valuable tips on how to find funding, learn new skills, and curate one's education. Overall, this episode offers a comprehensive discussion on the current state of inclusivity, entrepreneurship and innovation, and ways to contribute to social impact work. Topics covered in the podcast episode: Inclusive Investments and Processes Hotspots and Humanitarian Aid Venture Building and Traction UNICEF Venture Fund and Support for Startups Multilateral Job Opportunities The Speaker's Career Journey Building Successful Organizations for Social Impact The Social Change Career Podcast Finding Funding and Support for Startups Upskilling for Social Impact Jobs Working in Large Organizations and Avoiding Burnout Being a Generalist in the Social Impact Space Crafting a Cohesive Narrative and Storytelling Skills PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Summary: On Episode 8 of Season 10 of The Social Change Career Podcast, host Craig Zalizer from PCDN.global interviews Manuela Guzman, a serial innovator and entrepreneur, about building a career in sustainability. The main topic of discussion is the urgency of addressing climate change and the importance of systemic solutions, such as renewables, for companies regardless of industry. The speaker emphasizes the need for people to be at the core of strategies for addressing these challenges and focuses on sectors such as technology that reduces emissions, agriculture, and mental health and well-being. They also talk about their own career path in sustainability, from internships and job opportunities to their current role at Top Tier Impact as the head of Community, responsible for managing a global network of events and collaborations related to impact and sustainability. Additionally, the challenges of sustainability in countries like Colombia are discussed, including greenwashing and the need for industry policy regulation. The episode also touches on upskilling for careers of the future and challenges faced by those from the Global South trying to enter the field. Overall, the episode provides practical insights into the world of sustainability careers and the importance of taking action towards a greener future. Don't forget to share and rate The Social Change Career Podcast on your favorite platforms. Timestamped Overview [00:03:00] Manuela discusses their pursuit of sustainability and the importance of connecting various disciplines to improve systems and create a better planet. [00:06:02] The speaker's interest in sustainability was sparked by a teacher who introduced the concept during university. She became passionate about it and chose to pursue a career in sustainability. [00:08:29] Manuela pursued internships and job opportunities that aligned with their genuine interest in sustainability. She worked for a year at Selena, a company whose values resonated with their own, before becoming a digital nomad and joining Nomads Giving Back. Working in teams with diverse people and industries has been a priority for the author in their career journey. [00:14:34] Tips for working remotely as someone from the Global South: - Language skills are crucial - Networking with people in person and digitally is important - Taking courses from reputable universities can boost your CV - Connection and networking can lead to mentorship and upskilling opportunities [00:20:53] Future jobs will require measuring impacts. Green jobs are available in all industries. Corporate work and traditional education may not be as relevant in the future. Online courses from reputable universities are important. [00:23:56] Study ESG instead of Corporate Social Responsibility. Voice Academy offers great courses and there is a well-done master's at the University of Valencia. Also recommended is studying the transition that humanity is going through through different disciplines. [00:28:31] The person is skilled in communication, particularly in diverse environments, and has a passion for impact investing and sustainability. They were hired for their ability to adapt to different environments and build relationships in their previous role as head of community. [00:31:06] As head of community, responsible for events and member support, covering various sectors with a focus on sustainability and impact. Manages collaborations and interviews applicants for community values. Has diverse skills in marketing and communication. [00:40:51] Urgent action is needed to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and social issues. Renewable energy is necessary, but a systemic approach is needed. Focus should also be on agriculture, technology, and people's well-being. [00:47:20] Software Impact connects investors, start-up founders, and professionals in impact and sustainability through its membership at $350/year. They offer events, including an ambassador program in 20 cities, to accelerate connections and promote growth in the impact space. Anyone interested in connecting in the impact space can access events through TTI, including corporates, founders, and investors. PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.

Summary On Episode 7 of Season 10 of The Social Change Career Podcast, host Craig Zellzer interviews data policy curation expert, Karla Yee Amezaga. Karla sheds light on the importance of ethical use of technology and handling data, potential harms associated with AI and machine learning technologies, and the future direction of data governance towards better regulation and alignment. The discussion also delves into how organizations may rely on indicators and deliverables to please donors, but they should instead focus on contextual elements and human connections. The podcast also touches on the importance of self-sovereign identity, cross-border data flows, and the need to prioritize equity and inclusion in government services. Tune in to learn about Karla's professional journey, her current role at the World Economic Forum, and the practical applications of her work. Don't forget to share and rate the Social Change Career Podcast on your favorite platforms. Key Topics and Bullets Topics covered in the podcast episode: Ethics and responsible use of technology- Growing concerns about AI and machine learning technologies- Future direction of data governance towards better regulation and alignment across governments- Potential for proactive service delivery by government through the use of data- Opportunities for better insights through multiple data sources like satellites and IoT devices Career path and skills development- Karla's background in data collection and analysis for community needs- Importance of qualitative skills for conveying insights- Work experience in organizations like the World Bank and Interamerican Development Bank- Current role at the World Economic Forum promoting responsible use of technologies- Importance of contextual elements in addition to indicators for measuring success- Networking challenges for people from certain cultures- Tips for improving networking skills and reverse engineering an ideal job in international development- Value of speaking a second language and being flexible to travel- Need to always check sources and cite them when sharing information- Importance of strengthening statistical systems in countries Decentralized data sharing and personal data ownership - Self-sovereign identity and personal data ownership- World Economic Forum's promotion of cross-border data flows- Data free flow with trust framework for secure and trustworthy data flow- Examples of decentralized data sharing models- Data intermediaries for individuals with low levels of data literacy- Importance of sharing insights instead of raw data Skills for working with data and technology- Empathy as a key skill in dealing with data and technology- Importance of understanding basic coding- Translating data into valuable insights for different audiences- Experience with governments on modernizing the state through digital transformation- Importance of responsible and user-centered design- Identifying potential risks and benefits of implementing technologies in government- Ensuring equity and inclusion in digital and data services PCDN.global News Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast. Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.