The Career Channel (Audio)

Gladys (Sandy) Ramos, M.D., is a UC San Diego Health perinatologist and professor who cares for patients with complex pregnancies, including those affected by diabetes. She explains how immigrating from Peru, learning from her grandmother and wanting to serve Spanish-speaking communities shaped her work. Ramos also describes feeling out of place in college and not getting into medical school on her first attempt. Research, mentors, supportive peers and a UC Irvine medical school preparation program helped her strengthen her skills and confidence. Today, she uses her bilingual skills and cultural knowledge to build trust, discuss nutrition and health beliefs, and help patients work toward safe pregnancies and healthy babies. Her experience also shapes the guidance she gives students pursuing medicine. Series: "Career Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Education] [Show ID: 41599]

Grecia Paola Siono Gutierrez and Jose Enrique Siono Gutierrez share how family, mentorship and community shaped their path from Mexicali to studying electrical engineering at UC San Diego. The siblings describe beginning at community college, transferring together and adjusting to classrooms where they often saw few students who shared their background. Grecia discusses finding support through the Raza Resource Centro, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and research mentorship, while Jose explains how studying music strengthened his discipline and inspired projects connecting sound and electrical engineering. They also reflect on their parents’ sacrifices, the importance of role models and their own support for one another. Their advice to students is to seek supportive communities, learn from setbacks and keep pursuing ambitious goals even when the path is not straightforward. Series: "Career Channel" [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 41495]

RNA damage, mentorship and the realities of building a career in science come together in Alex Chaim's work and personal journey. Chaim, principal investigator of the Chaim Lab and assistant professor of cell and developmental biology at UC San Diego, studies whether damage to RNA may contribute to diseases associated with oxidative stress, including neurodegeneration. He also reflects on finding community and learning from mentors throughout his education and career. Chaim describes creating CASAS, a scientific seminar series conducted in Spanish, and explains why he tries to humanize science in both his classroom and lab. His advice to students centers on seeking research experience, finding good mentors and learning from experiments that do not go as expected. His story shows how persistence and community can shape a life in science. Series: "Career Channel" [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 41492]

Climate action needs more than great science, it needs people who understand how communities, institutions, and policy actually change. The Climate Action Lab in UC San Diego’s School of Social Sciences spotlights alumni building climate careers across sustainability, climate, and public policy. Panelists trace the paths that led them into the field, share how social science training helped them navigate real-world climate work, and offer practical lessons they’ve learned along the way. Expect candid career advice, an honest look at challenges in climate-related roles, and a clear case for why the social sciences are essential to addressing climate change. Series: "Career Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 41405]

Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist of Canva and a former Apple evangelist who helped market the Macintosh in 1984, shares his 10 tips for writing your own story forward. A New York Times bestselling author, Kawasaki uses reinvention and resilience as a framework for decision-making in personal and professional life. His books include "Wiser Guy: Life-Changing Revelations and Revisions from Tech’s Chief Evangelist," reflecting lessons from his career and his Remarkable People podcast. Presented in conjunction with UC Your Future, a signature UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Lifelong Learning Program designed to ignite possibility, strengthen resilience, and empower individuals to shape the next chapter of their lives with intention and creativity. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Show ID: 41266]

UC San Diego’s Division of Extended Studies broadens the university’s public impact by connecting campus expertise to the evolving needs of people and workplaces. Dean Hugo Villar, Ph.D., M.B.A., describes a mission centered on lifelong learning that helps individuals build skills, pursue new opportunities, and stay adaptable as work and technology change. He explains how the division develops applied learning in partnership with employers and community organizations, using workforce insights to keep offerings aligned with real-world demand. Villar also emphasizes how artificial intelligence is integrated across programs so learners can use emerging tools thoughtfully and effectively. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Education] [Show ID: 41108]

How do you navigate a nonlinear, “squiggly line” career in science and public health? Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist and scientific communicator, explores challenges of science communication within academia—from cultural resistance to misaligned incentives—and why so much vital research never reaches the public. Joined by Dr. John Schwartzberg, Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health, they discuss the growing opportunities for scientists both within and beyond academia, and what needs to change to better support public impact across all career paths. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 41067]

A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools is a valuable, research-driven resource that helps families navigate school choices with confidence. This year, the guide takes a deeper look at the powerful role Career Technical Education (CTE) plays in shaping student success beyond the classroom. In a discussion led by Morgan Appel of UC San Diego, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney of Voice of San Diego highlight how CTE programs provide early, hands-on learning that builds practical skills, boosts confidence, and creates direct pathways to meaningful careers. Taylor Dunne of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation adds that when CTE offerings are matched with up-to-date labor market data, students are not just learning—they’re preparing for real opportunities in San Diego’s evolving job market. The panel agrees that while the guide offers important data and comparisons, there’s no substitute for visiting schools and seeing where students truly thrive. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Education] [Show ID: 40597]

What is impact investing? Silicon Valley venture capitalist Nancy Pfund talks about her career in finance and what shaped her life. In this spirited conversation with Stephen Morris, the San Francisco Bureau Chief of The Financial Times, Pfund spoke about the influence of her parents—her father, a patent attorney, and her mother, a political activist. She said the exposure to the worlds of inventions and community outreach were influential in her journey. Series: "Career Channel" [Business] [Show ID: 40390]

Darlene Lopez shares her inspiring journey in the business world, offering valuable insights into career growth, mentorship, and navigating the corporate landscape. Drawing from her experiences at Apple and TikTok, she discusses how these roles shaped her leadership style, approach to self-promotion, and the importance of setting boundaries. A central theme in the conversation is Lopez’s deep connection to Latin culture and music, which has profoundly influenced both her personal and professional life. She passionately speaks about the power of Latin artists and the growing influence of the Latinx community, particularly in music, and her mission to empower this community through her work in the arts. Series: "Career Channel" [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 40306]