Welcome back to Parenting Beyond the Headlines. We're so happy to have you with
us and we hope this finds you healthy and well. I am Amy Alamar
and I'm joined by my friend and co host Sarah. How are you doing,
Sarah? Hey, I'm doing pretty good over here on the East Coast.
How are you on the West Coast. I'm as good as can be,
you know, working through the end of the school year, which is
always busy, and especially this year has thrown in some curves, so that's
putting it mildly. Yeah, and I have two graduating one eighth and one
high schooler. Well, it's ironic that you mentioned that because of the installment
of Parenting Beyond the Headlines. We are welcoming author Nick Wagner to join us.
He is the author of Ten Secrets to Success after Graduation. Nick,
Welcome to our show. Yeah, thank you ladies so much for having me.
I'm thrilled to be here. Love love the podcast, love the topics.
I am a parent as well. Mine aren't quite yet a graduation minor.
Mine are a little bit younger than yours, but they will be there
sooner than I than I want them to be there. Right. We all
know it goes fast. So thank you for having me. Oh what's our
pleasure? I m as I mentioned, I've got to graduating from eighth in
high school, but also one in college. So we are reading your book
very closely, very excited for some TIBs. Now I have to ask you
right off the bat. Graduation has been a hot topic during the pandemic because
school years and graduations have been postponed, they've been done differently. It might
be difficult to find a job coming out of graduation in this job market.
So were you planning this topic before the graduate, before the pandemic or did
you choose it because of the pandemic? Good question. So the journey started
in summer of twenty and nineteen, so it did start pre COVID. It
took me longer than I had hoped to put the book together because one of
the unique parts about the book is it's actually ten chapters, nineteen stories,
and eighteen total contributors, so it's not just my voice in the book there.
I only did two of the nineteen stories, so I asked seventeen other
friends to write write chapters for it. So it was it's a compilation of
stories, which it did take longer than I expected because of COVID, But
as far as like the timing, it is, it is, we are.
We are right now taking pre orders with it, so hopefully going to
ship out end of April, and the hope is that it is a perfect
time for those graduating from college in May or high school in June, or
you know, or you know it's the July time frame. And I specifically
said graduation because it doesn't have to be college, and I wanted to make
sure I had it did that because I think the the stories and the values
in it are applicable no matter what you're graduating from, whether it's high school,
technical college, for your college, etc. Because we know the people
the school is very different from for all sorts of people. I think that's
really an important thing, a really important concept because oftentimes, I know,
like with my own kids, people always ask where are you applying with the
assumption you are going to college? Where did you get in? And the
focus is so strong and it puts a lot of pressure on the kids,
whether they are or not looking college. It puts a lot of pressure on
them when the topic constantly circles back to that. So I appreciate that you're
recognizing that I was trying to be inclusive and I went to college and I
was lucky enough to go to the University of Connecticut. But not everyone has
that opportunity, nor do you need it anymore. To be quite honest,
there are many, many, many companies that are now not requiring four year
degrees, big name companies that many people have heard of, And there's a
lot of different other other career paths you can go on where a technical to
year of college is maybe all you need, or or a certain specific certificate.
So yeah, I just I just said after graduation because I really thought
it was it was broad. It would help anyone who would either right there
graduation or early career in your first job. I thought it would be applicable
to all those individuals. So you've indicated a little bit that the book includes
different people's stories. Tell us a little bit more about it, and without
giving up the book, maybe share one or two secrets if you don't learn,
no, absolutely. And the funny thing is I picked ten. Honestly,
they're probably could be twenty, right, I mean, there's a lot
more than ten. But I looked back I look back when I graduated from
from college, and like many of us, when you graduate from school,
we really don't know what's next. There is no syllabus for this time after
school, right, We're so used to this structure of school and then you're
you graduate and it's now what Right now? Where do I go? What
do I do? How do I know what to do? So there's a
lot of different paths you can go on, and that was really the idea
of what I wanted to put it together for I mentioned it it's multiple stories.
It's a very diverse group of people on purpose. So there's people that
work in the corporate world, there's people that are retired, there's people that
work in nonprofits, there's entrepreneurs. It's a variety of voices, all different
experience of experiences and backgrounds. Because I think that diversity of thought is going
to we will help people when they read the book just hear from different,
different, different viewpoints. As far as you asked not to give anything away,
right, but I start off with chapter one just called real life is
hard, Like, let's just be honest, it's not easy, and um,
what you're about to embark on it is going to be difficult. So
we start there, but I quickly follow that and again I'm not giving anything
way, but I quickly follow that all about focusing on your support system.
So who are those people in your life that are going to help you make
some of those big decisions you have you have to decide in the next you
know, say a few years after school. So that's that's how we start
it. Uh, every like I mentioned, there's there's multiple stories, usually
two stories for every chapter. There's a bio for everyone that actually wrote a
story, so you learn a little bit about the person who wrote it,
and they even included contact information, so if you were really inspired by that
individual's journey or their story, you can connect with them, which I think
is great. And then every chapter at the end has an activity to make
what you learned real. So I wanted to help people not only read about
like, Okay, this is how you know, this is why asking for
help is really important once you're done to school as an example, but then
here's here's an activity to actually put it into practice and and make it real
for that individual and just graduated. So classify finding a well, you know,
classify life after graduation. Right now, you know the pandemic does has
made it more complicated. So what is the specific advice you think those affected
by the pandemic and maybe the job market, what specific advice in the book
will help those folks. So, you know, it's a great question,
and I actually don't think. I think if you look at the and if
you'll just I'll share. So what people want to go check it out,
It's to Nick Wagner Senior dot com is my website, and you can find
all the details there in pre order. But I have I have all the
ten chapters listed out. I actually don't think the pandemic changes what I what
I recommend as far as you know what to do after you graduate from school.
I think obviously some things are you may have to pivot. So one
of them I talk about focusing on building relationships. Well, building relationships.
You know, during COVID you're gonna be doing a lot more of what we're
doing right by by by interacting through a computer rather than doing it in person.
So that might be a pivot. But but I think the core of
building relationships doesn't change whether it's virtual or in person. Those relationships are what
might help you. It's why I'm on this podcast today because I was introduced
to the two of you through someone that was on my podcast, So that
that I don't think that changes. Um. You know, the other thing
I talk about, which actually might be even more important because of COVID,
is the power of philanthropy. I closed the book with that topic. It's
not something I did a lot in my twenties. Unfortunately, I'm making up
for it in my thirties with my family's nonprofit. But I talk about you
know, we talk about why giving back is so important, and a lot
of people when they graduate from school think, well, I don't have any
money because I just graduated from school and I'm just getting a job. How
can I, how can I how can I be philanthropic? Well, the
reality is that you can donate your time or you can donate your talent,
so it's not just money. So I think that's a great question. I
think a lot of this world would we would resonate whether we had a COVID
or didn't have COVID. To be perfectly honest, that's an interesting topic you
broach there, you know, especially now when things can get very politically heated,
very socially heated. They're you're seeing a lot of activism, and I
think it's a really great thing to think about, you know, what is
my role in the world, and how do I give back in more ways
than just getting a job, right, and like taking care of myself.
So I think that could be a really I didn't really, I didn't really
think about that when I was seeing that the topic of what's next, you
know, Yeah, and you bring up a good point just about um,
and I'll pivot what you said amy to one of the topics is about um,
you know, your personal brand and how important that is not only when
you're in school, but of course when you're done with school. And I
think the interesting thing and when I was going to the University of Connecticut,
marcut Zucker work was building Facebook at Harvard, so I didn't have social media
when I went to college. You can literally destroy your personal brand with one
with one post, which is a really scary thing that we didn't have to
deal with twenty years ago. So I have that as a topic because it
is so critical for people that are just graduating from school to to realize that
what they say personally can absolutely affect you know, them getting a job,
and and and and and and you know, different opportunities for them in the
future. So I think you bring up a great point. I think that
is a good point to bring up. I used to be asked to go
into my son's schools and talk about my career as a journalist a little bit,
excuse me, And one of the things that I would always hit on
was focus. Finding focus after you graduate? Is that something you get into
it at all? So there is a topic about it's called it's called your
career journey and I have two very different to people talk about their career journeys.
And honestly, so, Sarah, you bring up a really interesting point,
and we could do a whole We could do a whole book and podcast
episode just about that what you just said. The focus. One of the
things you talk about in the book is there a lot of people graduate from
school, they get a job, they're sitting in a cube book and they
realize, oh my gosh, I hate my job. What do I do
now? And it's terrifying for people, right because they might have just gone
to college for four years and spend a boatload of money and realize they don't
like what they do. So I think the everyone's career journey is unique.
I think that's that's like where I kind of start is, that's totally it's
it's your journey. You got to own it. I actually think that we
put an over emphasis on We talk to kids all throughout like you need what
are gonna be when you grow up? What are gonna be when you grow
up? I didn't. I still don't know what I want to be when
I grow up. Let me let me be honest with you, right,
So, I actually think that there should be a focus on you fulfilling what
makes you happy and what makes you feel successful. But it shouldn't be a
focus on what other people think you should be doing to make yourself happy.
And if that means leaving your job and finding and doing something else, it
could be that, or it could be maybe you do your job, but
you really got a ton of fulfillment before working for a nonprofit outside of work.
Right, There's there's ways that you can fulfill you know, your personal
dreams. It might not be through your job. So I think I think
people have to think about it because it's just a unique perspective for every single
individual. There's different kind of focus. Two. I mean, I felt
I used to say that because I felt like some of my friends graduated from
college and really didn't know what to do. You know, so even if
the focus is on one thing and then you change or whatever, I don't
think you want a kid graduating and saying what next? Like they should think
about that no matter what it is, right and kind of have some plan
or some direction, even if that direction takes them in different ways. Yeah.
I think the hope is that throughout school they can try different things to
figure out what they do like and what they don't like. I think I
think that's so important. But another chapter in the book is called risk Taking
in your Twenties. I was I'm just going to ask you about risk taking.
Yeah, So, as someone myself who quit my corporate job to work
for myself and run my own business for four years, I felt like I
just had to include this. So I have two stories in the book about
risk taking your twenties. One was about someone who did just that, left
the job to start a business. The other one is the other story about
moving across the country for a job. I bring it up because if you're
going to take a risk on making a move across country or starting a business
or changing industries. I did it when I didn't have kids, I didn't
have a wife, and I had a lot less to you know, financial
responsibility. That's a really good time for a lot of people to do that.
So I think when people think about their careers and what could be and
you Sharah back to your point about focus, and I think it that now
is the time, right after school to make those those those big bold moves.
And I'm giggling over here in California as we contemplate another relocation. I've
been made in my forties, so you can take risks later. And I
think that's a good point. It's like when we say that kids are better
skiers and adults because we're like so afraid to take risks on the ski mountain.
I mean, I think we get into our routine and forget that you
can kind of take risks always. But you're right in terms of I would
think it was a little bit of a slippery slope, Nick in writing a
book, because you know, some people would want to say, think about
a four oh one k, think about a good paycheck, start your life
off that way. But then the other side would be follow your passion,
don't worry about those things next. And I you know, I've said often
in the news business, where we work these crazy hours, you know,
the overnight shift, the weekend shift, like do that stuff when you're young,
say yes to the jobs, do whatever you need to do to pound
the pavement, because you're not going to want to be doing that in your
thirties or forties. Right, So, great, great point, Sarah.
And one of the one of the chapters, the importance of family and friends.
I have there's a story in there. One of my friends that I've
known since elementary school. He produces TV shows, which, to your exact
point, he was on the road six to eight months a year, and
he did all through his twenties and now he has a little daughter, and
guess what, he doesn't want to be on the road six to eight months
a year. So yeah, so there's there's a lot. And again you
mentioned me that you know, some of these stories will absolutely resonate with people
that are obviously further out of further out of you know, finishing school.
But I focused on that that early career, that early career group, because
I have a passion for helping people like try to figure out what's next.
And I just remember myself at that age and I was just like, what
am I supposed to do now? So I just I hope all these stories
can really help give back and give people some hope. I think it's great,
and I think it's great that you have a variety for people to see,
so that there isn't you know that one path, there's there's ideas that
may resonate with you. Maybe it is time to take your risk, Maybe
it is time to you know, focus in on the four one. You
know, like you can see different paths that resonate with you, and it's
I think it kind of gives permission to do something really smart, which is
great. And I also didn't I didn't want it to be just Nick saying
oh you should do this, this and this, and because people would assume
automatically ask well, what makes you the expert to answer all the questions?
And I don't. I don't have all the answers and I openly admit that.
So that's why I think having this diverse group of voices it gives it
makes the book that much more powerful. What makes it seem like you're giving
tools to figure it out yourself. As we sort of wind Down here,
Nick, why don't you tell us about you? When we were exchanging emails,
I saw in your email signature that you're like a motivational speaker and author.
Your sounds a little bit like you're a jack of all trades. Yeah,
So who am I? So I would say that I'm a husband and
a father first, It's always the most important to me. I don't mentioned
I have three kids. I'm a Connecticut fanboy, so Sarah and I have
something in common because we're both in Connecticut. But no, I mean I
consider myself an innovator, right, I'm an entrepreneur at heart. I currently
have a full time job in the in the corporate world, working in human
resources. But I mentioned I have of a nonprofit with my my family.
Have as an profit where I get to give back through a variety of different
ways. One of them is this book is part of one of the initiatives
it's called the Full Potential Movement, where we help individuals really try to figure
out what could be with their careers. So it's about empowering people and inspiring
people about hearing from other people's career journeys and what could what could be?
And this book is I joke. It's the first of hopefully more to come,
So I'm being ambitious and hopefully we can maybe release more in the future.
But I like to help people. It's probably the best way to describe
it. And my entrepreneurial spirit comes out and everything I pretty much do.
So you know, this is timed up great for this book to be a
graduation gift. Whether it's a graduation that's virtual or in person or whatever,
doesn't really matter. How can folks find this book? Yeah, thank you
for asking. So I'm super excited to be supporting one of my previous managers
who opened a bookstore in glaston America, Connecticut called Riverbend Bookshop. So she
has her own independent bookstore she is publishing for me. I'm her first book
that she's publishing through her bookstore. So it's if you go to Nick Wagner
senor dot com backslash book you can see all the details about the book,
learn more about it, and pre order there. And again we're doing the
pre order now and expecting books to shit right around the end of April.
Gosh, there's nothing better than the independent bookstore, my favorite pat. I
am happy to support her and all the independent bookstores across the country, so
really, as a former small business owner, I wanted to make sure I
did that, so I'm pretty excited. Well, thank you so much for
joining us, as is super helpful, and we encourage our listeners to contact
their local bookstores to request the book so that it can get spread out.
We really appreciate you listener for joining us, and please do let us know
if they are topics that you know, you want to hear about, you
want to talk about. You can find me at Sarah Cody Media, Amy
at Amy Almar and all the social media. It's obvious for easy to find.
We are right there everywhere, and we thank you so much for joining
us for the latest installment of Parenting Beyond the Headlines. We hope that you
tell your friends about it, that you subscribe, that you rate and review.
The pandemic has been a giant bummer in many ways, but for me
anyway, one of the bright spots has been finding podcasts and listening to them
on my walks and sort of exploring that world. And we hope you're doing
that too. Take care