APCDA Podcast

Episode SummaryWhat does it take to build a future of work where no generation is left behind? In this episode of the APCDA Podcast, Dr. Deirdre Hughes joins Samantha and Michael to explore lifelong career development through the connected worlds of policy, research, and practice. Drawing on her own journey from Northern Ireland to becoming a researcher, career practitioner, and accidental entrepreneur, Deirdre discusses why workers aged 55 and older are “not done yet,” how intergenerational workplaces benefit everyone, and why access to meaningful work requires shared action from individuals, employers, and governments. She also shares practical lessons on entrepreneurship, insights from developing an all-age careers framework in County Durham, and findings from research into AI and career development. Throughout the conversation, she makes the case for using AI for social good while keeping human connection, professional judgement, and ethical practice at the heart of career support.Episode Chapters Welcome to On the Mic With Thought LeadersMeet Dr. Deirdre Hughes and discover how she connects policy, research, and practice to improve people’s experiences of learning and work. From Northern Ireland to a Career in Career DevelopmentDeirdre reflects on growing up during the Troubles, experiencing unemployment, entering university as a mature student, and finding her way into the profession. Not Done Yet: Rethinking Work After 55Moving beyond employment statistics, Deirdre explores whether older adults can access rewarding work and the support they need to navigate later career transitions. “The Sun Never Goes Down in My World”A memorable encounter challenges assumptions about ageing and opens a discussion about the value of intergenerational workplaces. Supporting Older Workers Is a Shared ResponsibilityGovernments, employers, and practitioners each have a role in addressing barriers, making career support visible, and helping people recognise their strengths. Lessons from an Accidental EntrepreneurDeirdre shares advice on believing in your service, finding a mentor, managing the learning curve of business ownership, and building relationships through reciprocity. Building an All-Age Careers FrameworkHer work in County Durham explores how economic policy and social priorities can come together around the needs of local people. Listening to Young People Who Feel Left BehindFrom transport barriers to unanswered applications, Deirdre examines the experiences that can erode hope and the importance of involving young people in designing support. Making the Case for Investment in Career DevelopmentCommunity partnerships, participant voices, and evidence of return on investment help demonstrate why accessible career services matter. AI and Career Development: The Human Core Is Non-NegotiableResearch with Canadian practitioners challenges the assumption that the profession resists AI, while highlighting the need for caution, ethical judgement, and human involvement. Building a Careers Chatbot with PractitionersDeirdre describes the development of CareerChatUK’s chatbot and why professional expertise and the option to connect with a human adviser belong in its design. Careers 2035: What Gives Us Hope?Possible AI futures raise questions about inequality, access, and professional practice. Deirdre explains why research, AI literacy, and a commitment to social good offer reasons for optimism. Evaluating AI-Powered Careers AdviceA University of Warwick research project investigates different approaches to careers advice, including practitioners working with and without AI. The Career Lesson Deirdre Wishes She Had Learned at 22Reflecting on her own transitions, Deirdre highlights the importance of knowing where to find support and recognising that career development is a lifelong journey. A Question for the Next GuestWhat should professional associations do more of, and what should they do less of? Closing Reflections: Connection, Curiosity, and HopeSamantha and Michael reflect on the conversation’s lessons for practitioners, entrepreneurs, and the wider career development community.

Episode SummaryWhat happens after a first-generation college student enters the professional world? In this episode of the APCDA Podcast, executive coach, leadership consultant, and author Michele Y. Hoover introduces the concept of the first-generation professional—someone who enters the workplace without inherited knowledge of how professional environments operate.Drawing from her own journey as the daughter of South Korean immigrants, Michele explores the unwritten rules of professional life, including why good work rarely speaks entirely for itself, why relationships are part of the job, and why the criteria for advancement constantly change. She also discusses how first-generation professionals can advocate for themselves without abandoning their cultural values, how educators and employers can better support them, and how experiences once viewed as disadvantages can become powerful professional strengths.The conversation also offers a preview of Michele’s upcoming book, From First to Fearless, and reflects on storytelling, identity, family responsibility, mentorship, and the chance experiences that shape our careers.Episode Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to On the Mic With Thought LeadersMeet Michele Y. Hoover, executive coach, leadership consultant, former journalist, and founder of PEM Leadership. 02:20 — What Is a First-Generation Professional?Michele explains how first-generation professionals enter the workplace without inherited knowledge of its expectations, relationships, language, and unwritten rules. 04:00 — Realising “It Wasn’t Just Me”Michele shares how reflecting on her own difficult career journey led her to interview other first-generation professionals and discover common patterns in their experiences. 07:15 — Growing Up as the First American in Her FamilyFrom making appointments to completing official forms at a young age, Michele reflects on how responsibility, representation, and early independence shaped her professional identity. 11:10 — Connecting Journalism, Education, and LeadershipMichele connects the dots between her early career as a journalist and her later work in executive education through three recurring themes: people, storytelling, and communication. 14:40 — Three Unwritten Rules of Professional LifeYour work does not always speak for itself, relationships are not extracurricular, and the rules for advancement change at every career level. 18:45 — Preparing First-Generation Students for the WorkplaceThe discussion explores what universities can do beyond helping students secure their first jobs—including teaching self-advocacy, relationship-building, feedback, visibility, and workplace navigation. 22:30 — The Hidden Strengths of First-Generation ProfessionalsMichele highlights resourcefulness, observation, problem-solving, loyalty, intrinsic motivation, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility toward family and community. 26:15 — Self-Advocacy Without Losing Your Cultural IdentityHow can professionals advocate for themselves while respecting values such as humility, hierarchy, collectivism, and family responsibility? Michele offers culturally congruent ways to become visible. 32:05 — Turning Career Advice Into Practical ActionMichele explains why generic advice such as “network more” is often ineffective and how coaching, role-playing, scripts, and step-by-step guidance can help people approach difficult professional conversations. 35:10 — Writing, Vulnerability, and Helping People Feel SeenMichele reflects on moving from clinical thought leadership toward more personal writing—and why sharing her own experiences allows readers to recognise themselves in her work. 40:40 — From First to FearlessMichele introduces her upcoming book and explains how first-generation professionals can reframe experiences previously viewed as disadvantages into leadership capabilities and professional superpowers. 48:45 — A Chance Event That Changed EverythingMichele recalls receiving a journalism scholarship at 17 and travelling alone to San Francisco—an unexpected experience that expanded her understanding of the world and what was possible for her career. 52:55 — The Career Lesson We Wish We Had Learned at 22The episode closes with Michele’s question for the next guest: “What’s something you understand about how careers work now that you wish somebody had explained to you when you were 22?”

Shownotes:00:00 Introduction00:55 Eric's life in defining chapters 06:55 How has success altered over time for Eric09:36 Creating multiple identities to connect and relate12:50 How to move through transitions smoothly17:05 How to conquer a difficult 'task'18:55 What is the concept of Combo-Specialist23:11 What would an updated edition of Combo-Specialist look like in the era of AI28:40 How do we train our critical thinking skills34:39 Building a community through food and walks36:07 How has Eric's book brought about a positive impact on his readers41:10 What mindset shifts have helped Eric to become more visible43:38 Building meaningful visibility48:48 Eric's advice on managing negative remarks53:15 Where is Eric's "attention" focused now55:30 Share a story of how an unplanned event positively influenced Eric's career and life57:50 Question for the next speakerAbout SpeakerWith over 2 million followers on LinkedIn, Eric Sim, CFA, is one of the most followed finance professionals on social media globally. He is the author of “Small Actions: Leading Your Career to Big Success”. Previously, Sim served as a Managing Director at UBS Investment Bank and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He founded the Institute of Life to trains professionals to achieve success at work and in life. 

Speaker's Information:Mark Franklin (M.Ed,P.Eng) leads the team at CareerCycles, a career management practice based in Canada, that has helped 5000+ people manage their careers for the future. He co-founded narrative tools leader, OneLifeTools, through which he co-authored the Who You Are Matters! game and Online Storyteller platform. Mark teaches career management at University of Toronto and received the Stu Conger Award for Leadership in Career Development. Mark consulted with hundreds of organizations in his earlier industrial engineering career. Changing careers, he earned a Masters in counseling psychology and led student services initiatives in two of Canada’s largest universities. Always seeking ways to unlock the power of storytelling, Mark hosts the Career Buzz podcast and radio show showcasing inspiring career stories. His career insights have appeared in Canadian media including Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC and CTV.  0000 Introduction02:11 Who is Mark Franklin - A Deep Listener in a Wounded World 04:50 From a Professional Engineer to a Career Practitioner7:55 Transition to starting out Career Cycles 12:30 Why "Career" is mostly misinterpreted 15:45  What is a Narrative Approach 22:12 One Life Tools Framework for a Holistic Assessment32:25 Encouraging Clients with their What's Next37:23 Thriving in the AI Era41:25 Doing Well AND Doing Good45:50 Building a Community of Story Listeners48:40 AI Stewardship Programme52:30 What brings hope for Mark54:50 Cross-pollinating #CDBee movement 58:30 Question for the next speaker1:00:50 Wrap-up from the co-hostsCitations mentioned:Stebleton, M. J., & Franklin, M. (2023). Applying narrative approaches to support undergraduate career decision-making. In M. Buford, M. Sharp, & M. J. Stebleton (Eds.), Mapping the future of undergraduate career education: Equitable career learning, development, and preparation for a new world of work (pp. 183-199). Routledge. Franklin, M., Yanar, B., & Feller, R. (2015). Narrative method of practice increases curiousity and exploration, psychological capital, and personal growth leading to career clarity: A retrospective outcome study. The Canadian Journal of Career Development, 14(2), 12-23.Franklin, M., & Feller, R. (2017). Using the One Life Tools framework: From clarification to intentional exploration with East Asian female. In L.Busacca & M. Rehfuss (Eds.), Postmodern career counseling: A handbook of culture, context and cases (pp. 273-284). American Counseling Association. Stebleton, M. J. (2010). Narrative-based career counseling perspectives in times of change: An analysis of strengths and limitations. Journal of Employment Counseling, 47(2), 64-78. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1920.2010.tb00091.xStebleton, M. J., Franklin, M., Lee, C., & Kaler, L. S. (2019). Not just for undergraduates: Examining a university narrative-based career management course for Engineering graduate students. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 18(2), 64-77. https://cjcd-rcdc.ceric.ca/index.php/cjcd/article/view/32

00:00 Introduction00:50 Who is Dr Candy Ho and what drives her05:10 Sharing on the "Career Influencer" concept - Every conversation can be a career conversation11:11 Life-career as a constellation of one's many life roles, paid and unpaid12:50 Why is career development so important 16:55 Working with young adults - Not all who wander are lost22:11 The wisdom of indecision24:10 Sitting with the discomfort of the unknowns and uncertainties30:30 Dr. Candy Ho's current works32:27 Working with educators to incorporate the United Nations 17 SDGs into the curriculum 39:15 Career service providers in the age of AI43:30 What is giving you joy at this current phase of your life49:00 Bee as a career metaphor50:30 Question for the next speaker52:00 Wrap-up from the co-hostsHo, C. T. Y. (2024). Enhancing a career development curriculum by embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling, 53(1), 24-35. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.20856/jnicec.5304Ho, C., & Stebleton, M. J. (2024). Not all who wander are lost: Redefining career exploration and indecision in undergraduate students. Journal of College and Character, 25(2), 196-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/2194587X.2024.2326220Hoover, A. (2026, March 3).  RIP Resumes. Business Insider.https://www.businessinsider.com/hiring-managers-arent-reading-resumes-slop-2026-3Klotz, A. (2026). Jolted: Why we quit, when to stay, and why it matters. Penguin Random House. Krumboltz, J. D. (1992). The wisdom of indecision. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 41(3), 239-244. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(92)90025-UMichel, J. P. (2024). The world needs you: A new mindset for student career exploration. JP Michel. Stebleton, M. J., & Ho, C. (2023). Career development is everyone’s responsibility: Envisioning educators as career influencers. Journal of College and Character, 24(3), 189-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/2194587X.2023.2224577https://padlet.com/candyho11181/share-your-cdbee-story-dufrpcxx4yhae439 

0:00 Introduction by co-host Samantha1:30 Felicity in her own words - Who she is and what drives her3:00 Experiencing redundancy at 244:00 Who does Felicity support, and what problems is she solving right now5:50 What she loves about her work6:52 How did she get started in career development work10:30 Young Felicity14:25 Taking a gap year16:55 Most important career decision21:11 What's next23:20 Career life lesson learnt29:50 Last words

In this episode, we sit down with Marjorie Woo, an inspiring leader whose career journey spans psychology, social services, corporate leadership, and executive coaching. From her early days growing up and studying in the United States to founding her own business in Asia-Pacific, Marjorie shares the pivotal moments, mindset shifts, and lessons that shaped her path.0:20 Learnings from Felicity1:40 Who is Marjorie Woo5:20 Growing up as a child7:55 Moving to States 10:00 What motivated her to do Social Services and Psychology13:50 Adapting to her new life in the States21:45 Having a business was not a 'proper' job 23:00 Her journey with Xerox28:40 Applying what she has learnt from Psychology31:30 Moving back to APAC and upskilling in MBA36:15 How did she stand out in the midst of competition and unconventional norms40:05 Most important career decision46:00 Beginning her coaching career47:35 What's next for Marjorie 49:50 Best career advice

0:00 Host's introduction of guest speaker, Jonathan1:01: An overview of Jonathan's career journey3.50 What drives his career reinvention6:40 What problems is he solving now8:20 What is purpose-driven10:02 Biggest lesson when he was teaching first graders11:50 Younger days15:00 How did Jonathan get started in his career17:20 Most important career decision to date20:25 Defining leadership21:13 What's next23:23 What's the desired outcome24:48 Coming from 'me' to 'we'25:38 Best career advice28:16 Being 'broken open' vs as 'broken'

In this episode of the APCDA Podcast, we sit down with Rahul Nath, founder and creative director of Vertical Slice Games Media. From an unconventional start in the gaming industry to directing films and building an immersive media studio, Rahul shares how resilience, curiosity, and a love for craft have guided his career. He reflects on pivotal life moments, lessons from failure, and why staying uncomfortable fuels growth. This conversation is rich with insights on creativity, entrepreneurship, and designing a career on your own terms.Shownotes: 0:00 Learnings by the hosts 4:12 Introduction of the guest 5:20 About the guest - Who is Rahul 7:15 What motivates and drives him 11:05 Getting started in the gaming industry 12:20 Create your own luck 13:15 Do it for the love of craft and other things will follow 15:00 Formative years 19:53 3 pivotal moments 22:28 Starting film directing 25:55 Most important career decision to date 29:30 Lessons learnt in life 33:18 What's next 39:15 Best career advice

In this episode of the APCDA Career Journey podcast, co-hosts Felicity Brown and Samantha Ng speak with Akshay Sharma, an Indian-born entrepreneur and technologist who has spent the last 12 years building a life and career in Vietnam. From giving up a secure engineering job in India to co-founding a proptech startup and a social impact venture producing affordable prosthetics, Akshay shares the mindset behind his bold decisions, lessons from failure, and what drives him to keep learning and contributing. This is a candid conversation about risk, resilience, and redefining success across borders.00:05 Introduction of the guest01:10 Learnings by the hosts03:05 About the guest - Who is Akshay04:35 What problems is Akshay solving right now?05:40 How did Akshay end up in Vietnam14:15 What shapes you to who you are today18:18 How to choose between being an employee and becoming an entrepreneur21:45 Biggest career decision till date24:45 Dealing with uncertainty 27:45 Life is short30:00 What's next31:55 Best piece of career advice35:20 What inspires Akshay