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:

Promise House Dallas  

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

[rev_slider alias="episode-8-rick-lopez-showrunner-assistant"][/rev_slider] On this episode of Career Closeup, we meet Rick Lopez.  Rick works on the set of Fox’s hit series Lucifer as the assistant to the Showrunner(s).  While many of us have heard about the executive producer, producer, and directors associated with television shows and in big screen movies, who truly runs everything in a production? The “CEO” of the set on any given television series is the Showrunner.  The Showrunner hires the producers, directors, actors and staff for a series.  This incredibly busy individual gets the praise as well as the blame for the success or failure of a show.  As one of the showrunner's assistants to two showrunners, Rick keeps "the train on the tracks." Rick is the gatekeeper that coordinates everything at his level as assistant, allowing the show runners the time to focus on "a billion decisions a day."  It's not a job for everybody, but it offers insight and contact with many areas involved in getting ideas turned into scenes on TV.  It is an ideal job to gain experience and access if one wants to become a writer.   Links: About the show: Lucifer Link to documentary on Showrunners Blog about a showrunner's assistant Showrunner's Assistant interview on Any Possibility Shownotes: 0:00    Introduction to Rick and summary of show Lucifer 4:00    Description/responsibilities of showrunner 7:51    What the cast and crew/the team is like 11:00 Favorite thing to do and the most challenging part of your job 16:01 How Rick heard about job/became interested in it 17:00 What is common to all writer’s rooms 19:23  An average day and things Rick loves most about his job 25:55  Competitiveness and what can make you stand out 32:47  Tips for college students wanting to go into writing or working on a show 42:59 Qualities that would be beneficial as a showrunner’s assistant 47:08  Summary