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Today on the Podcast and in honor of Veteran’s day, a very special interview with a U.S. Army Veteran that Francis and I know well. We get an insight on what it is like to serve, the job of the enlisted in the service and to serve in the role as an officer. The words sacrifice, challenge and demanding are mentioned. Despite the depth of these words, they do not do justice to the true hardship our service members and their families endure to protect our freedom. Join us today and learn about the true dedication and commitment one makes when you choose to join the armed forces.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
01:55 Role in the military and decision to serve
03:42 Why the topic of Veterans and military service is important.
06:03 What life in the military and working as a soldier are like?
12:11 What I can expect if I enlisted tomorrow?
13:20 To be a great soldier
17:17 What was the impact of your service on your life?
21:28 What military service taught me about myself?
25:09 What were the best parts of your military service?
26:12 What were the more challenging parts of military service?
27:38 What advice did you share with your young soldiers?
31:18 What advice would you have for high school or college students considering military service?
36:58 What do these demonstrations by professional athletes truly mean to a veteran like you?
45:26 Summary
Related Links:
US Army goarmy.com
ArmyTimes article of best jobs for long term Army careers
Non-profit group to help veterans: thebattlecontinues.org
Inspiring Military Books:
Admiral William McRaven's 2014 University of Texas Commencement Address and book
Ghost Soldiers - Story of World War II's Bataan Death March
Flags of Our Fathers - The story behind the immortal photograph of Iowa Jima
It Doesn't Take a Hero - Autobiography of General H. Norman Schwartzkopf
Medal of Honor - The story of Roy P. Benevides's journey from poverty and prejudice
Black Hawk Down - 1993 Battle in Mogadishu
On this episode of Career Closeup, we take another dive into the world of medicine. We sat down with Dr. Raul Santos, MD. A Dallas area Interventional Cardiologist. From his early years in college and his service in the U.S Army to his residency and fellowship in Cardiology, Dr. Santos gave us a great insight into the training, practice and rewarding aspects of his incredible field. If you are thinking about medicine or are in medical school and considering a career treating disease of the heart, this is a realistic and informative close up. Show notes: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 The job of an interventional cardiologist. 02:19 What exactly is a catheterization? 04:10 Tell us about the training to become Interventional Cardiologist. 05:33 What influenced you to go into cardiology and proceeding to interventional cardiology? 07:47 What is a typical day like for an interventional cardiologist? Being “On-Call”? 10:48 How does this field affect your lifestyle, family? 12:10 What would you say are most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job? 13:18 How do you deal with the stress? 14:07 Dr. Santos’ path to success; high school, college and Army days. 17:23 Dr. Santos’ recommendations for high school students, college students that are interested in medicine and cardiology. 18:22 Are there any misconceptions about the medical field, cardiology you want to address? 19:19 Summary Related Links: US Army - Operating Room Specialist (68D) University of North Texas University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Medical School Cedars-Sinai Internal Medicine residency Baylor Scott & White Health - Cardiovascular Disease fellowship Baylor Scott & White Health -Interventional Cardiology fellowship Link to: catheterization procedure of Heart Link to video: Leg, Peripheral vascular disease
On this episode of Career Closeup, we take another dive into the world of medicine. We sat down with Dr. Raul Santos, MD. A Dallas area Interventional Cardiologist. From his early years in college and his service in the U.S Army to his residency and fellowship in Cardiology, Dr. Santos gave us a great insight into the training, practice and rewarding aspects of his incredible field. If you are thinking about medicine or are in medical school and considering a career treating disease of the heart, this is a realistic and informative close up.
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 The job of an interventional cardiologist.
02:19 What exactly is a catheterization?
04:10 Tell us about the training to become Interventional Cardiologist.
05:33 What influenced you to go into cardiology and proceeding to interventional cardiology?
07:47 What is a typical day like for an interventional cardiologist? Being “On-Call”?
10:48 How does this field affect your lifestyle, family?
12:10 What would you say are most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job?
13:18 How do you deal with the stress?
14:07 Dr. Santos’ path to success; high school, college and Army days.
17:23 Dr. Santos’ recommendations for high school students, college students that are interested in medicine and cardiology.
18:22 Are there any misconceptions about the medical field, cardiology you want to address?
19:19 Summary
Related Links:
US Army - Operating Room Specialist (68D)
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Medical School
Cedars-Sinai Internal Medicine residency
Baylor Scott & White Health - Cardiovascular Disease fellowship
Baylor Scott & White Health -Interventional Cardiology fellowship
Link to: catheterization procedure of Heart
Link to video: Leg, Peripheral vascular disease
Myongki “Tony” Yi is a tattoo artist in El Paso who owns his own tattoo studio, 3Tattoo. Tony's studio is as unique as his style, and this keeps him booked months in advance. In this episode we discuss how he started in Fine Arts at a design school, and just before completing the program, he came to find tattooing as a viable career option, despite the stigma it carries. Specifically for Tony, being of Korean decent, such a field is considered taboo. Tattoos have become very mainstream today as people from all walks of life have tattoos, and $1.6 billion dollars are spent in the US annually on tattoos. Tony explains the ways to get started in the field and then the process for setting up a studio. In addition to getting all the required licenses and training, Tony recommends working on communication skills, as much of your time will be spent one on one with the customers. Tony is an artist who chooses to use skin as his medium of choice. He sees the skin as a blank canvas, and appreciates how people who have tattoos can tell you who created each one and that you create a bond with your customers which will bring them back to you. Some customers see your work and then seek you out, so you can create something special for them. 49% of people getting tattoos think that the person tattooing you or the studio is the most important factor, and 43% think the personal meaning of the tattoo is the most important factor (See Tattoo Statistics - Statistic Brain in Related Links). Looking through the photos from 3Tattoo, it seems Tony has created every style of tattoos, from tribal to watercolor, black and white portraits to the colorful Japanese style. He enjoys going to expos and conventions to not only show what he can do, but also to gain exposure to new techniques, new equipment and to network and grow as an artist. In addition to being something to admire, tattoo ink may be able to help monitor the glucose levels in diabetics and monitor other health conditions in the near future. Check out the related links for more MIT studies and potential ways to make body art functional.
Time Line:
0:00 Intro to Tony Yi
1:37 How he got started in Fine Art/Fashion design after high school
3:00 The tattoo artist that made an impression on Tony and caused him to rethink Art degree and realize there was money in tattoos, and he could be still creative artistically
5:27 Getting into tattooing/apprenticeship search
6:18 Seeing how people would from around the world come searching out a tattoo artist
7:15 The process from the start, find artist you like and apply to be their apprentice (clean shop, practice drawing, draw for artist, find out about machines, take blood borne class for license, and slowly start getting comfortable with tattooing skills)
10:17 Finish program and ready to start tattooing, what's next? Multiple licenses...
11:41 Opening his studio expenses and machines/equipment needed
13:30 Typical Day, best parts of his job, freedom to make his own schedule and be his own boss
15:12 More difficult parts of his job, not being able to help everyone
16:17 Tattoo expos and shows are great for showing off work, meeting and networking with other artists, learning techniques and finding out about new technology
17:50 Favorite style of tattoo or thing to do - something really meaningful to customer
18:36 Times he has said "No" to doing tattoos
22:00 Tattoos to help reconstruct after surgery
23:54 Advice to those interested in the field of tattooing
26:28 Summary
Related Links:
Tattoo and Body Piercing requirements in Texas
Check out Tony's work at his website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Tattoo Statistics - Statistic Brain
In the future:
MIT study of Dermal Abyss and Health Monitoring through Tattoos
This is a quick Closeup with Jose Cos. We are looking into more information about the avenues to complete a medical education. With a national shortage of physicians, efforts are in place to try and increase the number of graduating doctors. In addition to more medical schools opening throughout the country, accelerated programs that decrease the years of study from 8 years to 7, or even 6 years in some cases, are expanding across the country. Jose is a student at the University of Texas El Paso and a participant in the A-PRIME TIME program (Accelerated - Professional, Relevant, Integrated Medical Education Transformation in Medical Education). The A-PRIME TIME is an accelerated BS/MD program with the potential to complete both in as little as 6 years. Listen to this episode to get an idea of the demands and challenges in an already arduous degree course!
Timeline:
00:00 Intro
01:20 The A-PRIME TIME (APT) program and the application process
05:27 How demanding is this program?
08:02 At what point in the program are you guaranteed acceptance into medical school?
09:45 What happens to students who don’t get accepted to Medical school?
12:21 Are there any other programs like the A-PRIME TIME program in Texas or other states?
(See links below)
13:30 Are there any regrets about taking this more aggressive, challenging course through college?
15:43 Summary
Links:
A-PRIME TIME participating universities and links
University of Texas Rio Grand Valley A-PRIME TIME program
Penn State's Accelerated BS/MD program with sample schedule
Today’s episode features a very special interview addressing working in a field dealing with one of our country's leading social issues. We sit down with Megan Bennett, a case manager working with homeless teens in the Dallas area. We learn about the challenges and wins when counseling, parenting and guiding these troubled youths at times through the most fundamental life skills needed to transition to a more stable life. Megan’s heartfelt regard for her work and residents of this transitional living facility is refreshing and reminds us there are many people out there who still care and work to make a difference. Additionally, you will be enlightened on the factors and difficulties that often leave young people feeling that the street is their only option. Learn how Megan found her way to this job, her experiences working with homeless teens and how you too can make a difference.
NOTE: Since recording this episode, Megan has transitioned to a position in school counseling due to an out of state move. We will catch up with her at a later date to find out more about her experiences in that field!
RELATED LINKS:
NCSL Statistics on Homeless and Runaway Youth
If you would like to help: https://www.justgive.org/donations/help-homeless.jsp http://nationalhomeless.org/donate/index.html
Mark Cuban's strategy to get best college degree for less money
50+ best jobs with degree in Psychology (Associate's degree through PhD)
Bureau of Labor and Statistics School and Career Counselor job summary (recommended degree Master's in School Counseling)
Bureau of Labor and Statistics Social Workers (recommended degree Bachelor's in Social Work, but can use Bachelor's of Psychology)
Bureau of Labor and Statistics Psychologist (usually a PhD or PsyD, but in some fields a Master's Degree)
Dallas Pets Alive! -the group she worked with to rescue and foster dogs
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 Intro and description of work
2:10 How she got into social work
3:48 Megan’s passion for her work and her background
5:21 Megan’s course through college
6:30 Her average day at work
8:26 Best parts and more challenging aspects of job
11:59 Any specialized training needed?
13:59 Advice for those interested in this field
14:50 Advice she would go back and give herself in high school
15:50 How Megan deals with challenges and stress
17:23 Megan’s passion for saving and fostering dogs
18:26 Misconceptions of job and homeless population
21:02 Summary
On this episode of Career Closeup, we meet up with Tony Kasowski. Tony is in an enviable position working a job he loves with both altruistic rewards and the ability to make a living. Together with his cofounder at Phoenix’s St. Vincent De Paul’s Urban Garden, they took on the challenge of converting an old parking lot in South Phoenix and transforming it to a fertile, high yielding farm. Tony’s accomplishments with what was initially believed to be a “cute garden” with now the ability to produce enough fruits and vegetables to feed the less fortunate are a testament to his character, initiative and determination. Tony found a way to continue his work with the Urban Farm and supplement his income through consulting, teaching, and private contracting work. However, it was clear in our time with him that the fuel of his enthusiasm are his love of farming and contribution his efforts have in other people’s lives. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode and you are bound to come away with some valuable knowledge about growing your own garden.
We encourage you to join his 15,900+ followers on Instagram @tonygrowsfood, on Facebook he's Tony Kasowski, and keep up with his latest adventures on FarmTrippin.com.
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction
04:29 Problems with this approach to farming?
08:28 Converting an old parking lot to a fruitful Urban Farm
11:01 Tony’s background
12:53 What got you interested in farming?
15:01 How was the transition from working 9-5 to farming?
17:56 Did you set out to farm as not for profit charitable type work?
23:15 Are you familiar with any other organizations that are doing something similar?
26:13 Do you find it difficult to feed 4,500 people every day?
27:43 How challenging is starting an operation similar to yours, and what resources would you recommend?
31:08 How important has networking been?
33:18 Do you practice crop rotation?
37:01 The impact on volunteers
39:37 What can someone who wants to undertake a similar project expect?
43:34 Where/what do you teach?
45:00 Different farming techniques
47:12 What is the most impressive thing you’ve grown?
48:57 Where do you see farming going in the future?
54:23 What goals would you like to see St. Vincent de Paul undertake in the next five to ten years?
56:25 What would you tell yourself in high school?
Links: St. Vincent de Paul Urban Farm UrbanFarmU podcast/blog
Tony’s other Interview https://www.urbanfarm.org/blog/2016/03/22/tony-kasowski/
Article about the health effects of GMO's https://www.aaemonline.org/gmo.php
Tony recommends using YouTube to search for answers to your questions. (Search for Tony Kasowski and you will find different interviews he has done with other farmers.)
The medical field is consistently vast in its opportunities and career fields. On this episode of Career Closeup we sit with two emergency room ultrasonographers, Jaime Aguirre and Jezzelle Solorza. Jaime and Jezzelle were kind enough to make time to explain their role in diagnosis and management of the acute patient. From the training and education you will need to succeed in this field to the types of interesting cases where sonography is utilized, Jezzelle and Jaime share with us the details of their path and an average day working in the field. Ultrasonography is ranked as a top paying Associate's degree to obtain in 2017 and as Jaime and Jezzelle explain, there are many personal rewards as well.
SHOW NOTES:
00:00 Introductions
01:40 What ultrasonography entails and its role in emergency diagnostics?
03:48 What is a typical day for each you?
04:44 Obtaining different registries? Different subspecialties in US
06:29 Opportunities and Flexibility in your field. ER vs. Clinic vs. imaging center vs. hospital
08:45 Career progression and advancement to other areas in medicine?
10:50 Education and training to be a sonographer?
12:35 Challenging course in the study of Ultrasonography? Technology background?
14:22 High school courses that will help you in this field?
18:27 Favorite parts of working in ultrasound? Challenges of working in ultrasound?
20:28 Where do you see the field going in the future?
21:51 Career outlook for the future?
23:49 Advice for those wanting to go into sonography?
25:24 Different associate degree programs? Is Bachelor’s degree necessary?
27:22 Summary
RELATED LINKS:
Southwest University - Diagnostic Medical Sonography program information
#7 on Business Insider Top 25 Highpaying jobs with Associate's Degree
GetEducated.com's list of highest paying Associate Degree jobs
Bureau of Labor and Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wages
Bureau of Labor and Statistics - Summary
Different career paths- http://www.ultrasoundtechniciancenter.org/jobs-and-careers/5-career-paths.html
More information on how to become a sonographer-
http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/how-to-become-ultrasound-technician.html
More information on Ultrasound degrees and programs-
http://www.collegesanddegrees.com/programs/ultrasound-technician
http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/medical-imaging/ultrasound-technician-training/
Thinking about a career in medicine? Are you working towards the daunting path of premed courses and MCAT review? This is the podcast for you. On this episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Brennon Barajas (MSIII) and Angela Guerra (MSII) for a breakdown into the world of applying, getting in and surviving medical school. Both Brennon and Angela will be the first physicians in their family and describe their hard work and efforts that paid off with acceptance to medical school. Brennon is a third year student at UT Health San Antonio and Angela is a second year student at Paul L. Foster SOM at Texas Tech Health Science Center, El Paso. Angela and Brennon discuss their undergrad days and strategies that help them succeed then and now with the course load and stress of a continuum of standardized test, clinical rotations and the balance of keeping both feet on the ground. From their days working as scribes, an invaluable experience for anyone interested in medicine, to their latest stage of preparing to apply for residency, Angela and Brennon share a down to earth approach to "drinking from a fire hydrant." What makes you a great candidtate for medical school? Thinking about residency, do the challenges ever end? Whether you are in High School or undergraduate school, Angela and Brennon offer their advice of how to approach the process, taking the MCAT, programs and opportunities and the steps to take to streamline your process. You will come away with a great Closeup about the different personalities, the different degrees and the actual fun one can have traversing your four years in medical school. That is right - medical school can be fun!
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 Introduction
03:51 Adjustments from undergraduate school to medical school
07:18 Traditional vs. non-Traditional students and differing backgrounds of applicants
11:04 Other Requirements in medical school, Volunteer work, Community Service
13:49 Teaming up medical students, student wellness
17:21 Medical school, curriculum and USMLE
23:11 Medicine as a career, preparing for medical school, recommendations for
someone who wants to go to medical school
27:52 PreMed, Early Acceptance and Double T program
31:43 The MCAT, studying for the MCAT and the best time to take it.
35:22 What Makes you stand out as an applicant for Medical School?
37:54 Scribing and what is a Medical scribe
47:13 Deciding on a specialty
50:08 Applying for residency
51:45 Research in medical school
55:53 How do you deal with stress?
57:47 Residency, what are competitive fields? What makes you competitive? What is the actual process for applying?
1:00:45 Downtime? Other interests? Time for family and relationships?
1:02:12 Do you have time to work in medical school? Family and relationships?
1:03:57 Summarize biggest challenges in going to medical school, anything you would dodifferently?
1:06:55 Angela and Brennon discuss their plans to apply for Emergency Medicine and why?
1:09:29 What advice do you have for someone who has taken the MCAT and maybe didn’t do as well or didn’t get an interview? Post Baccalaureate Programs
1:12:11 Summary
We sit down with Andres Capra and follow his journey to his career as a Tactical Paramedic. This is a relatively new field where he works as an Austin EMS Paramedic and also trains with Austin PD SWAT/ Travis County Sheriff SWAT teams. His pathway includes becoming a Marine right out of high school, digging ditches for electricians, having his own company building decks and framing houses, and being a college student and a bartender. He originally was interested in becoming a firefighter, but realized he was more interested in the medical side, because that's where the majority of calls happened. Andres explains how he takes lessons learned in one area of work and uses them to help in other areas. We rated this explicit due to the mature and sometimes graphic nature of emergency situations.
Show Notes:
0:00 Introduction
1:39 What is a Tactical Paramedic
4:59 The Tactical Paramedic Team
6:09 What made you choose medicine?
7:32 Anything you can do to standout as a paramedic 8:54 Break Down EMT to Paramedic
11:59 Getting hired and working as a paramedic
16:10 Andres background, high school, Marines
18:48 How did the your prior experiences (Marines and Bartending) help you as a paramedic?
21:41 "So our team." Coming over to Tactical Medic team.
23:08 Characteristics of a good tactical medic candidate.
26:49 Tell us about a notable experience/paramedic call
31:11 Other Cool Assignments: Presidential convoy, RNC
35:08 Continuing Education (CE) training as Paramedic/tactical medic
36:35 What are the challenges of your job both as Tactical medic and street medic?
39:52 What other opportunities are available for someone in your field?
41:22 What advise for someone interested in your field?
44:42 Anything else you wish you had done, prepared, school?