Jackson High School- MentorStark
Career Conversations Series
Hey Jackson Seniors!
Thank you for checking out our new Career Conversation Series. Our goal is to help you get some practice doing information interviews to learn more about career paths AND help you build some connections along the way! Our mentors are joining to have informal, small-group conversations with you to get to know you a little bit, share some info about their own career journeys, and ask and answer some questions that will help you learn more about yourself and them.
While we are constantly recruiting mentors representing different career fields, you don’t have to wait for us! Use the skills and knowledge you are learning in Advisory about webs of support, information interviewing, elevator speeches, and networking and start having conversations about your career exploration thoughts with family members, parents of friends, neighbors, coaches and other people naturally in your life to help build new connections.
Despite the pressure you might feel right now to have all the answers, you will hear from most of the mentors that their careers have been a journey that they would not have predicted when they were your age. Your only job right now is to explore opportunities, build relationships, and step out of your comfort zone in order to figure out what you do and don’t want to do. This Career Conversation series gives you a chance to do that with mentors who are here to encourage you, so please sign up for at least one discussion before you graduate. We’re figuring all this out as we go, so we’ll be asking for your feedback on how to keep making this Conversation Series better.
Proud of you all!
Laurie Moline and your friends at MentorStark
Career Conversation Speakers:
Tracy Dawn Brewer
Media Specialist, Aultcare, entrepreneur, Art / Illustration / Animation Service
February 11, February 18, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18
Talk to Tracy about:
graphic design jobs and software, marketing and media strategy and promotion, running a business, innovations in digital art
Learn more about Tracy:
Jerry Csaki
Director of Youth / Education, Pro Football Hall of Fame
February 25, March 11, March 18
Talk to Jerry about:
sport-related careers, intersection of sports and education, intersection of faith and career, networking and personal branding
Learn more about Jerry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-csaki-48579b46/
https://www.profootballhof.com/youth-education
https://theincreasepodcast.libsyn.com/from-death-to-life-the-incredible-story-of-jerry-csaki
Laura Fisk
Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement Consultant, First Energy
March 4 (Virtual)
Talk to Laura about:
corporate careers in community relations and external affairs, internal (employee) communications, management
Learn more about Laura:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-fisk-78606322/
I am a successful professional with over 25 years experience in customer-driven environments. I am a skilled community liaison with particular strengths in relationship building. Collaboration was an integral part of my previous role in External Affairs. Through effective communication with both internal and external partners, I realized success in forwarding the company's mission and contribution to the customers we serve.
Now, as a Community Involvement Consultant, I have built upon my talent for engaging employees to improve the areas where we live and work. With oversight for FirstEnergy's 3 Ohio Operating Companies, I have extended my network of internal partners to facilitate outreach and support to the communities we serve through volunteerism, in-kind donations, and programmatic support.
Justin Hardesty (Jackson Alumni)
Financial Advisor, Hardesty Partners
February 4, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18
Talk to Justin about:
careers in financial advising, client relations, financial literacy, building wealth after high school
Learn more about Justin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-hardesty-5a266147/
Justin Hardesty, owner of the investment firm Hardesty Partners, graduated from Malone University in 1997 with a degree in accounting and business administration with an emphasis in finance. That “emphasis” formed the basis of what he would “emphasize” in his professional life. Even before graduating, Justin began his career at a local Raymond James office and knew that he found his passion-the process of working with individuals to determine their hopes, dreams, and fears, and formulating solutions that target their objectives and mitigate their risks. For more than 25 years now, he has gone about doing exactly that-carefully planning with individuals, studying the investment landscape, and developing dynamic strategies to capitalize on opportunities in the marketplace.
Justin earns a seat at the table wherever he serves. He is the current president of the Jackson Local Schools Foundation, where he helped develop its signature event, The Polar Bear Plunge. He currently holds board positions with the Malone University Estate Planning Advisory Council, the Glenmoor Country Club Board of Governors, the Jackson Community Improvement Corporation, and serves as a Jackson liaison to the Canton Community Improvement Corporation. In the past, he held a board position with Malone University’s School of Business & Leadership, served two years as chairman of the Jackson Township Rotary Club’s Field of Heroes, and was a member of 25th class of Leadership Stark County.
Born and raised in Garrettsville, Ohio, Mr. Hardesty has lived in Stark County since 1995. He resides in Jackson Township with his wife, Alicia, and their two children Haley (13) and Cole (12).
New Title
Brandyn Neal
Client Executive, Commercial Insurance, The Schauer Group
February 11, March 11
Talk to Brandyn about:
careers in the insurance industry, sales and customer account management
Learn more about Brandyn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandynneal/
Brandyn is a Client Executive in our Business Insurance unit. In this role, he helps to design a broad range of insurance programs that fit the risk profiles and business needs of our clients. Brandyn is currently studying for his CPCU designation in order to expand his insurance and risk management knowledge.
Brandyn graduated from Walsh University in 2020 with a degree in finance. During his tenure at Walsh, he held several internship roles where he gained experience in sales development, personal finance, product management, and accounts receivable. As president of Walsh’s student-directed business incubator, The Garage, he managed daily operations, connected students to mentors, evaluated student business ideas and performed his own consulting work for four years. He uses the experience he gained from running The Garage to help offer risk solutions and deliver value to clients.
Brandyn is active in the region, devoting much of his time to the Akron community. He currently serves as a mentor for Mortar, the business development program at The Bounce Innovation Hub. He is committed to helping Akron reach its fullest potential.
Beth Husted & Megan Graebert
Husted: Pharmacist (Director of Retail Services), Absolute Pharmacy
Graebert: Pharmacy Technician, Absolute Pharmacy
March 4, March 11, March 18
Talk to Beth & Megan about:
careers in pharmacy and healthcare services, retail management in the healthcare industry, automation in health care
Learn more about Beth:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-husted-2b866840/
Experienced senior level pharmacy manager with a demonstrated history of working in the community retail pharmacy & health care industry. Skilled in Pharmacy, Customer Service, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Patient Care Services Implementation, Pharmacy Automation, Human Resources and Compliance Management. Strong healthcare services professional graduated from Ohio Northern University.
Learn more about Megan:
Ryan Schmidt
Group Founder/President, SKYCATCHFIRE
February 11, March 4, March 18
Talk to Ryan about:
entrepreneurship, digital marketing, app and web development, coding careers, and problem-solving using technology
Learn more about Ryan:
Anne Taylor
Executive Director, Financial Saving Management, Aultman Healthcare Delivery System
March 11
Talk to Anne about:
health care careers, health care administration and strategy, radiology technology pathways
Learn more about Anne:
Claudia Valentim, Ph.D.
Genetics/Cancer Researcher
February 25, March 11
Talk to Claudia about:
pharmaceutical school, cancer and disease research, laboratory jobs, being a female in STEM careers, being Brazilian and moving to the United States to work, speaking Portugese
Learn more about Claudia:
John Vesely
Director of Business Development, Absolute Rehabilitation and Consulting Services
March 4
Talk to John about:
the senior care and pharmaceutical industries, jobs available right now for for high school students and graduates working in nursing homes, skilled care units, human resources careers
Learn more about John:
Lauren Zink (Jackson Alumni)
Manager, Security Awareness, Indeed.com
February 11 (Virtual), March 4, March 11
Talk to Lauren about:
careers and majors in cybersecurity and information security, building inclusive cultures in tech and corporate America, community engagement and activism in your career
Learn more about Lauren:
Stephanie Farrell, MSW, LSW
Social Worker, Behavioral Health Clinician - The Blick Center
February 11
Talk to Stephanie about:
careers in social work and mental health, school-based mental health partnerships graphic design jobs and software, marketing and media strategy and promotion, running a business, innovations in digital art
Learn more about Stephanie:
Stephanie is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with Ohio, having earned a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Akron. Stephanie is trained to treat individuals with various mental health concerns and is certified in cognitive behavioral therapy. Stephanie works at Blick Center, providing behavioral health services for a diversified population. She served her country in the US Army for 20 years, deploying to the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Stephanie is married to Jason, and they have two daughters.
Bill Gamble
Teacher/Coach - Jackson High School
February 11
Talk to Bill about:
careers and majors in sports management/sports administration, pathways to becoming a teacher/coach, challenges and rewards of building a sports program with an educational setting, responsibilities of being a coach outside of just working with players
Learn more about Bill:
https://www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us/domain/378
https://www.jacksonbaseball.org/page/show/4461952-training-facility
Abby (Heddleston) Keleman
Human Resources Manager - H-P Products
February 11
Talk to Abby about:
manufacturing careers (labor, welding, machining) you can get in right out of high school, apprenticeship programs at H-P Products, human resources pathways and careers
Learn more about Abby:
Roxanne Owen
Jackson High School
Topic: “Undecided But College Bound”
February 11, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18
Held in Room C201
Talk to Ms. Owen about:
building self-awareness and identifying your strengths, weaknesses, interests, non-interests, personality preferences etc. to be presented to college advisor for scheduling classes, how to take full advantage of the resources available at your future college to help you figure out your career path.
Learn more about Ms. Owen:
My senior year of high school I thought that I would go to college for MUSIC PERFORMANCE. By the end of my senior year, I moved my thoughts towards MUSIC THERAPY. By the beginning of my Freshman year of college, I switched to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. By the end of the first month of my Freshman year, I switched to SPANISH. By the end of the first semester of my Freshman year, I switched to SPANISH EDUCATION. Bingo!
My college advisors played a HUGE role in helping me find my way. I want to help you build that part of your web of support during college. This will help you save money and help you make the most of the money you are paying for college services.
Rodney Meadows
Architect - Motters and Meadows Architects
March 4
Talk to Rod about:
The pathway to becoming an architect, other jobs people have in an architects office, careers in CAD, daily activities of an architect
Learn more about Rod:
Rod Meadows graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor of architecture degree in 1979. While pursuing his bachelors degree, Rod had attended the San Francisco Center for Architecture and Urban Studies in 1978. He went on to receive a master of architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1984. He has been the sole owner and and president of Motter & Meadows ever since. Motter and Meadows is located on Market Ave. The firm has designed many prestigious projects in Stark County and beyond and prides itself on designing solutions that are innovative and sustainable, maximizing resources and anticipating the needs of tomorrow.
Quebec Gibbons
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
The Gentle Shepherd Counseling Center
March 4
Talk to Quebec about:
Mental health counseling and careers, changing majors in college, soccer, growing your personal brand
Learn more about Quebec:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/quebec-gibbins-6887ab6a/
http://www.gentle-shepherd.com/quebec-gibbons-ma-lpcc.html
Quebec is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with the state of Ohio. He obtained his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling from Walsh University. Quebec focuses on working with a wide variety of clientele (including but not limited to) adults (young adults 18-40, middle aged 40-55, older age 60+ , marriage and family (pre-marital, marital, post-marital), adolescence (depression, anxiety, ADHD, suicide/self-harm), children (10 +), foster care, trauma, mood and adjustment issues. He also shares interest in working with clients and families working through transracial barriers. As a former DII collegiate athlete and current high school boys’ soccer coach, Quebec strives to service the athletic community to provide his clients with a holistic approach to healing emotional, social and spiritual challenges regardless of performance level (high school, college, and professional. Players and coaches).
Quebec is married to his wife, Olivia, who works in an adjacent field as a physical therapist. Both are Jackson graduates. Quebec and Olivia gave birth to their son in late September. Quebec is an active member in his community working to develop a foundation for racial discussion, coaching high school soccer, and playing drums at his church’s Life Teen Ensemble Band. Quebec strives to serve any client who wants to discover a stronger and healthier version of themselves. Quebec believes that everyone can attain peace, love, and happiness with hard work and a desire to make the changes necessary to achieve balance and harmony.
Joe Race
Executive Director
Building Industry Association of Stark County
February 25, March 4, March 18
Talk to Joe about:
Careers and connections in the building and construction industry, trade apprenticeships in construction
Learn more about Joe:
Allison Dennison
Jackson High School
Spanish Teacher
February 25, March 11
Talk to Ms. Dennison about:
Careers in education, careers in medical translation and opportunities for students who speak multiple language
Learn more about Ms. Owen:
I am originally from North Canton but I attended college in Pennsylvania, Geneva College, and lived in Pittsburgh for 11 years after graduating. I worked for a health insurance company after graduation in the Preventive Health Department assisting the Spanish-speaking members with their healthcare needs. Many of our members had very complex health problems so I would translate for them with doctor's offices or explain to them what steps they needed to take in order to access the care they needed.
After I had my first daughter I stayed home. I have three beautiful daughters ages 17, 14 and 12 and an amazing husband, Andy. When we moved to Ohio I began a masters program at the University of Akron in order to become a Spanish teacher. I graduated May 2015 with my masters in curriculum and instructional studies. I am thrilled to be teaching at Jackson High School!
