

Coffee With Convery
Brien Convery
Explore how success isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder—sometimes it’s about building your own jungle gym. From students to seasoned professionals, this career development podcast is your launchpad for job search strategies, personal branding, leadership growth, and workplace success. Dive into real-life career transitions, resume tips, interview preparation, mentorship, and future-ready skills. Produced by talent, for talent—empowering emerging professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives to thrive in today’s evolving job market. Listen now to level up your career!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 14, 2023 • 37min
From Navigating Work-Integrated-Learning to Networking with Manya Dhawan
🎙️ Hey there, Coffee With Convery Podcast enthusiasts! 🌟 Today, get ready to be inspired as we have a fantastic guest joining us on the show. 🚀 I am thrilled to introduce Manya Dhawan, a fourth-year accounting specialist at the University of Toronto, Scarborough, and an aspiring CPA candidate.
📚 Manya isn’t your typical numbers whiz; she’s a business enthusiast with a sprinkle of love for art. 🎨 Currently navigating the challenges of the Bachelor of Business Administration Specialist Program in Management and Accounting at the esteemed University of Toronto, her sights are firmly set on a future career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 💼
🌐 But hold on, there’s more to Manya than just crunching numbers! Her journey is a mosaic of experiences in Finance, Accounting, Student Engagement, Marketing, Fundraising, and Business Development. 🌈 What truly sets her apart, though, is her passion for forging meaningful connections and cultivating a robust professional network.
🔍 In this episode, we dive deep into Manya’s unique journey, gain insights into her world, and explore the aspirations that fuel her drive. 🌟 So, grab your headphones and join us for an inspiring conversation with Manya Dhawan!
🎧 Let’s jump right in! 🚀
#Podcast #AccountingJourney #BusinessEnthusiast #CPAAspirant

Dec 7, 2023 • 44min
From Bridging Academia to Finance, Investments, and Politics with Sepehr Nabi
👋 Welcome to Coffee With Convery! ☕ Today, we bring you a fascinating individual who’s carving a path in the world of finance and investing. 💼
Meet Sepehr Nabi, a student, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration, specializing in Finance Co-op, and a minor in Applied Statistics and Economics with the University of Toronto Scarborough. 📚
Sepehr’s journey is one of dedication and ambition, which becomes evident when we explore his professional experiences. Currently, he’s part of the Empire Life team, as a Financial Analyst, where he’s been contributing his financial expertise for the past two months. 💰
But Sepehr’s involvement in the financial world goes much deeper. He’s also an Economic & Financial Research Analyst at the University of Toronto Investment Society. Prior to that, he served as an Equity Research Analyst for a year with the UTSC Student Managed Fund, a remarkable accomplishment for someone so early in their career. 📈
Sepehr isn’t just about numbers; he’s a leader too. He led the Human Resources Alliance as its President and played a crucial role as a Fund Accountant at Epic Investment Services. 🚀
His journey started to take shape even before entering the world of finance, as he managed finances as the Assistant Manager at the Iranian Students’ Organization. Sepehr also held the position of Director of Finance at Jack.org, demonstrating his commitment to the community and personal development. 🤝
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of finance and beyond with Sepehr Nabi! 🎉
#CoffeeWithConvery #CareerAdventure #ContinuousLearning #InspirationalTalks #LifeExperiences

Nov 23, 2023 • 31min
From Technological to Community Leader and NASA with with Emran Billah
🎙️ Welcome to "Coffee With Convery" ☕, where we explore the inspiring journeys of trailblazers making a difference, not only in their careers, but in the lives of others too.
Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a true innovator and community leader, Emran Billah 🌟.
🌍 Hailing from Bangladesh and now in Nova Scotia, Canada, Emran's journey is driven by his love for mathematics ➕, a cornerstone of his engineering and computer science pursuits 💻.
🎓 Emran's academic achievements speak for themselves. Graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science 🎓, he continued to earn a Bachelor of Engineering in 2019 🎓.
🎩 Emran wears multiple hats, each more impressive than the last. He's a
Director of Software Engineering at Spiri Robotics 🤖 and the Lead Electrical Engineer at Drinkable Water Solutions 💧, on a mission to revolutionize water impurity detection and portable technology.
💡 But Emran's innovation doesn't stop there. He's the visionary founder of Bluethumb Technologies 🌐, a fintech startup catering to students and individuals with disabilities. Plus, he's the Local Lead for NASA Space Apps in Nova Scotia 🚀.
🌟 Emran's impact extends beyond his professional life. He's lent his expertise to startups like VarsityHire 🚀 and SimplyCast 📈, turning them into thriving success stories. His work on Nova Scotia's emergency response system, EmergHub 🚨, and CubeSat deployment with Dalhousie Space Systems 🛰️ showcase his far-reaching influence.
🚀 What truly sets Emran apart is his commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech leaders. He passionately educates and mentors students 📚, hosts seminars 🗣️, and leads hackathons 💡, empowering young minds to reach for the stars ⭐. It's no surprise that he was recognized as a Top 30 Under 30 Innovator in 2022 🏆, a testament to his unwavering dedication to Canada's socio-economic growth.
🤩 I'm thrilled to bring you this fantastic conversation and journey with Emran Billah! 🗣️🌟

Nov 16, 2023 • 54min
From Team Canada Karate Champion to The World of Work with Chris de Sousa Costa
👋 Hey there, coffee enthusiasts, and welcome to 'Coffee ☕ with Convery'!
☕ Grab your favorite brew, settle in, and get ready for a caffeine-fueled journey into a fascinating conversation with my truly remarkable guest, Chris de Sousa Costa.
🎓 Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communication Studies from York University and a Graduate Diploma in Business (GDB) from Queen’s University, earned through a scholarship between Game Plan and the Smith School of Business. His academic journey culminated in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in innovation and entrepreneurship..
🥋 Chris is a former karate national team athlete renowned for competing in the men's kumite +84kg category from 2004 to 2015 with Team Canada. Beyond his athletic endeavors, Chris has cultivated extensive expertise in governance and advisory roles. He has served as the Athlete Representative on Karate Canada’s Board of Directors for nine consecutive years, playing a pivotal role in protecting athlete rights and balancing the needs of athletes and the organization.
💼 In the professional sphere, Chris serves as a Client Executive for a national brokerage and advisory firm where he provides risk transfer solutions for professional service firms across Canada.
🎤 A skilled and engaging speaker, Chris takes pleasure in presenting and addressing live audiences. He has delivered professional talks to esteemed companies like Amazon and has actively participated as a facilitator and panel member at many prominent events. 🗣👏
I had the privilege of having a conversation with Chris about his transition from sports to the business world, and I'm thrilled to now share his inspiring journey with all of you! 🗣️🤝🌟
#CoffeeWithConvery #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Nov 9, 2023 • 38min
From Service and Racing to Faith with Jesse Iwuji
🎙️ Hello everyone and welcome to Coffee With Convery!
☕️ On today's podcast, my special guest is none other than Jesse Iwuji.
🌟 In all things Jesse Iwuji does, there are two constant elements: his devotion to service 🇺🇸 and his inspirational nature to many. Jesse went from competing at the top level of Division-1A college football 🏈 to rising the ranks of the military as a Lieutenant Commander ⚓, and is now the only current driver in all of NASCAR 🏁 at the national levels that actively serves his country as a US Military member 🏁.
👍 It has been key for Jesse, who is currently serving in our country's reserve fighting force, to honor his country 🙌 while pursuing excellence in the business world as a business owner 🏢 and on the track as a driver 🏎️. It should come as no surprise that he has championed companies and charities that give back to our men and women in uniform 🙏.
🏁 Jesse is also a big supporter of NASCAR diversity, equity, and inclusion 🌍. Today he is one of four African Americans competing at NASCAR's national level of racing 🏁. He was honored by NASCAR for two years in a row – the Diverse Driver of the Year Award 🏆. He is well versed both on and off the track 🏁!
🏆 It is fair to say in many ways Jesse is a first in NASCAR. While clawing toward the top tiers of NASCAR, Jesse Iwuji continues to take us all along for a memorable ride 🏁 showing those who dare to dream that life truly rewards those who stay strong enough, long enough 💪.
I’m thrilled to have Jesse on the podcast today to share his insights and experiences with us. 🎙️🤩
#JIM #JesseIwujiMotorsports #NASCAR #Xfinity #NASCARXfinity #cocacola #Chevy #chevrolet #teamchevy

Oct 26, 2023 • 45min
From Aviation and Tech to Turtles with Ken Andrews
Welcome, students, new grads, and career seekers to Coffee With Convery! ☕️
On today’s podcast we have an extraordinary guest with us – the
one and only Ken Andrews.
Meet Ken, a Michigan native with a deep love for the outdoors, aviation, tech, and business. He's an entrepreneur who has been building companies since he was 10!
Today, Ken is the Founder and President of Millennium Digital Technologies. With his background in electrical engineering and computer science, Ken provides a unique perspective enabling
him to design and build complex systems end‐to‐end from the base hardware design through software engineering.
But Ken doesn't just thrive in the tech world; he's a certified pilot who can handle anything from gliders to business jets.
His heart belongs to nature, especially the Great Lakes. He's passionate about conservation and joined Turtles Fly Too
to combine his skills, aviation knowledge, and love for the environment. 🌍✈️🐢
So grab your cup of inspiration and join in a captivating conversation.

Oct 26, 2023 • 24min
From Co-op to Vertical Farming and Engineering with Sabrina Sawan
Students, new grads, and all you ambitious career seekers out there, welcome to a piping hot cup of inspiration and insight — it’s time for another invigorating episode of Coffee With Convery! ☕🎙️
Today, we’re serving up a brew of ambition and innovation as we dive deep into the story of a remarkable guest, none other than Sabrina Sawan.
Sabrina is no ordinary student; she’s a force to be reckoned with! 💪📚 Currently on her academic journey at the University of Windsor, she’s chasing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering, and she’s not stopping there. With minors in Computer Science and Mathematics, she’s crafting a multidimensional skillset that promises to take her places. 🌟🔌🧮
But here’s the kicker, folks: Sabrina isn’t just grinding through textbooks and lectures. No, she’s out there in the real world, making a difference. 🌍
🚀 She’s not only completed a co-op work term at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada but left an indelible mark on the Naurvik project. Picture this: a vertical farm inside a shipping container, all designed to tackle the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Nunavut. That’s the kind of hands-on innovation we all dream of, right? 🌱🏭
Her dedication and innovation didn’t go unnoticed, either. Sabrina was honored with the Winter 2023 Co-op/Internship Rising Star Student Award, celebrating her unique blend of enthusiasm, creativity, and a rock-solid work ethic. 🏆🌟
Now, my friends, you’re in for a treat. I had the privilege of sitting down with Sabrina, and our conversation is a whirlwind of inspiration, wisdom, and practical advice. So, grab your favorite coffee, find a comfy spot, and get ready to be inspired as we dive into the world of Sabrina Sawan. ☕🤝
#CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired 🎧📚💡

Oct 12, 2023 • 34min
From Co-op and Mechanical Engineering to Cars with Nathan Brockenshire
🚀 Buckle up, because today on Coffee With Convery, we've got Nathan Brockenshire, the engineering sensation who turned a passion for manufacturing into a $100,000 savings for his employer! 🔧☕
Nathan is a third-year student in Mechanical Engineering with Automotive Co-op at the University of Windsor. He is a keen and motivated student with an entrepreneurial mindset passionate about business and engineering. 💡🔩
As a mechanical-automotive engineering student, Nathan discovered a passion for manufacturing. 🔍🏭
Already, Nathan has been able to build a diverse and transferable portfolio of skills. Working on a wide variety of projects has allowed him to learn various manufacturing processes and theories such as; 5-Why/Why-Why Analysis, RCA, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, Gap Analysis, 5S, and six sigma. 📈🔍🛠️
Nathan completed a work term as a manufacturing engineer co-op at Vista, where he was responsible for providing production support and managing projects. He was able to manage complex tasks including overseeing the set-up, production launch, and troubleshooting of an initiative that led to annual cost savings of over $100,000. 💼💰🏭
For this achievement, Nathan was an award recipient of the Winter 2023 recipients of the Co-op/Internship Rising Star Student Awards for displaying a unique blend of enthusiasm, creativity, and a strong work ethic. 🌟🏆
I had the chance to sit down with Nathan, and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! ☕🎙️
#CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired 🎧📚💡

Oct 5, 2023 • 21min
From Campus to Capital Markets and Embracing Authenticity with Aaron Sophocleous
Welcome, to another engaging episode of "Coffee with Convery"! ☕
Today, I have a fantastic guest joining us on the show, Aaron Sophocleous. 🎉
Aaron is no stranger to success. He's a recent graduate of Dalhousie University, having earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Finance Co-op specialization from the Rowe School of Business in 2021. 🎓
During his time at Dalhousie, Aaron wore many hats. He was an active member of the Dalhousie Investment Society 💼 and even founded and presided over the RoweOUT Society 🏳️🌈, along with participating in various other clubs and activities. 🎉
But that's just the beginning. Aaron's career journey took him through the financial and banking sector during his co-op years. He gained valuable experience working at Scotiabank, TD, and contributed significantly to the Dalhousie Student Union. 💼💰
Today, Aaron is thriving in his role as an Associate in Debt Capital Markets at TD Securities, where he continues to make a significant impact. 💼💼
Outside of the office, Aaron enjoys a well-rounded and active lifestyle. He's an avid traveler ✈️, a keen follower of politics 🗳️, a culinary enthusiast 🍽️, and you might even catch him on the ice, playing hockey 🏒.
I’m thrilled to have Aaron on the podcast today to share his insights and experiences with us. 🎙️🤩

Sep 28, 2023 • 59min
Panel 2 | Beyond Academia: Navigating Success with Post-Secondary Career Leaders
Hey there, students, new grads, and career trailblazers, welcome to a podcast that's about to fuel your journey like never before – it's time for Coffee With Convery presents 'Careering Talk'! ☕
This is not your average podcast; it's an open mic series custom-crafted to empower you with the knowledge, insights, career roadmaps, and coaching you need to thrive in the job market. 🚀
Today's episode is nothing short of a powerhouse! 🎙️ We've brought together an elite squad of career experts who are here to be your guiding stars:
🌟 Maurice Fernandes, Manager of Career Education at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
🌟 Cynthia Bishop, Manager of Career and Professional Development at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.
🌟 Jess Jennings, Associate Supervisor of Business Operations at the University of Ottawa.
🌟 Erin Kaipainen, Director of Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning at the University of Calgary.
🌟 Bob Eichvald, Director of Career Education and Development & The YU Experience Hub at York University.
Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey with us as we delve into the heart of everything students, careers, and employers. 🌠
Let's dive into this caffeinated fountain of insights, and remember, it's not just coffee; it's your career's best companion! 🌟🎤
#CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired 🎧📚💡