Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

By Schreyer Honors College

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Are you a Schreyer Scholar looking to connect with Scholar Alumni for career and life advice? Or perhaps you are a recent graduate looking to take the next step in your career, or are a prospective Scholar looking to learn more about the College. When our Scholars submit their honors thesis, they ring a ceremonial gong to mark the completion of their honors experience. #FollowingTheGong is a show that features conversations with Scholar Alumni and friends with stories and advice on how to maximize your Scholar experience, prepare for your career and further education, and make new connections with a strong network of Scholar Alumni that blazed the trail before you. Episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays when Penn State classes are in session and are available on major platforms.

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Episodes (31)

Episode 29 · 4 days ago

FTG 0029 – Developing Leadership Skills as a Scholar with Asset Manager Ari Rosenbaum ’91

Overview:

Ari Rosenbaum ’91 Liberal Arts is a Principal and Director of Financial Advisors Services at O’Shaughnessy Asset Management. Ari shares his experiences adjusting to the rigors of college, the value he found in getting involved on campus – specifically through joining a fraternity – and how he uses his English degree in the financial services industry. He shares insight any Scholar can use on making the most of the Scholar experience to gain transferrable skills through campus involvement and leadership. He also explains his non-quantitative role in finance and insights from a lengthy business career that can be helpful to any Scholar. You can read Ari’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Ari Rosenbaum ’91 Liberal Arts is a Principal and Director of Financial Advisors Services at O’Shaughnessy Asset Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, in Stamford, Connecticut. O’Shaughnessy manages equity portfolios for institutional investors like pension plans and high net worth individuals through their financial advisors. Ari has worked in financial services for most of his career after brief roles in the fraternity consulting and advertising industries. He earned his BA in English with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1991. He served as Chapter President of the Sigma Phi Epsilon (“SigEp”) fraternity at University Park. Scholars can connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Ari shares his insights on:

· Picking Penn State with the intent to transfer later, but then deciding to stay

· The benefits of picking a Liberals Arts major like English

· The positives of joining and leading a fraternity

· How an English thesis on Mark Twain is useful to a financial services professional or other careers

· Working for a national fraternity organization right out of college

· Getting into a finance career without a degree in finance

· The value of taking calculate risk in your career and in business

· Learning business and relational (“soft”) skills through campus involvement

· Developing your team leadership skills

· A hiring manager’s thoughts on additional skills for Scholars to invest in

· Developing non-work interests throughout life and as a parent

· The criticality of choosing a good life partner (if you choose one)

· Reflecting on the numerous decisions you make in a career

· Resilience in the face of setbacks

· The value of taking feedback, especially in a mentoring dynamic

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

• Website

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Upcoming Events

• Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!

• Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer

• Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars

• Join the Penn State Alumni Association

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Credits & Notes:

This content is available in text form here.

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Play Download

Episode 28 · 2 weeks ago

FTG 0028 – Behind the Lens with Documentary Filmmaker Megan Ruffe ‘13

Overview:

Megan Ruffe ’13 Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, is a documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York, where she is a co-producer at Florentine Films, Ken Burns’s documentary company. She has worked on numerous projects that have been featured from the New York Times to PBS to Netflix. She earned her degrees in Geography with Honors and Film. Megan shares her insights on being a “multipassionate” student and how being a Scholar allowed her to combine passions and gain experiences in filmmaking. She also shares a lot of behind-the-scenes insight on how films are made that any Scholar who enjoys movies and TV can appreciate. You can read Megan’s bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Megan Ruffe ’13 EMS, Com is a documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. She co-producer at Florentine Films, Ken Burns’s documentary company. She has worked on several major series for PBS, including The Vietnam War (2017), College Behind Bars (2019), Hemingway (2021), and Benjamin Franklin (2022). She is currently working on a forthcoming series on the American Revolution. Megan has also been working with a small team to develop UNUM, a new digital project that uses Florentine’s library of work to bring historical context to current events. She also independently directs and produces short documentaries. Megan graduated summa cum laude from Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences earning a BS in Geography with Honors and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications earning a BA in film. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on CBS Sunday Morning.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Megan shares her insights on:

· Choosing the Honors College as a “multipassionate” student

· Working with academic advisers to find the best major for you

· Insight on the geography major

· Seeking out practical experience on campus and in State College

· Thoughts on the Semester at Sea at program

· Thesis thoughts: learning project management while not over-pressuring yourself

· Interning aftergraduation and leveraging that into a fulltime role

· A crash course on the different roles in documentary filmmaking and serving in those different roles

· Making creative and narrative choices in the storytelling process

· The importance of editing in filmmaking and building your own style

· How to get your foot in the door in filmmaking

· The content equation and making the most of your content

· Skills Scholars should develop if they want to pursue careers in filmmaking or similar & resources available to Scholars to help you build them

· Pursuing careers in filmmaking without moving to Los Angeles and Southern California

· Designing films and mini-series for long-form television & streaming

· Advice for hobbyists, small business owners, and personal record keeping

· Learning from mentors and distinguishing hindsight from living the journey

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

• Website

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Upcoming Events

• Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!

• Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer

• Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars

• Join the Penn State Alumni Association

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Credits & Notes:

This content is available in text form here.

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Play Download

Episode 27 · 1 month ago

FTG 0027 – Overcoming Adversity with Attorney & Former Student Athlete Chris Wilson ‘06

Overview:

Christopher Wilson ’06 Liberal Arts is a Senior Associate in the Washington, DC office of the international law firm Baker Botts. His practice there focuses on civil antitrust and other complex commercial litigation. He earned his BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts and went on to earn his JD from Stanford in 2012. He played running back and full back for the Nittany Lions in his first and second years as a Scholar. This episode will be helpful to any Scholar who is facing obstacles, and particularly student athletes, as Chris talks about his experience of nearly dropping out before leveraging relationships to stay and succeed. You can read Chris’ bio and a more detailed breakdown of episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Christopher Wilson is a Senior Associate in the Washington, DC office of the international law firm Baker Botts. His practice there focuses on civil antitrust and other complex commercial litigation; he represents Fortune 500 companies and other major corporations in litigation throughout the country. Before joining Baker Botts in 2018, Chris was a litigation associate at the international law firm of Winston & Strawn in Chicago, IL. He earned a BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State in 2006, where he also played running back and fullback for the Nittany Lions, and earned a law degree from Stanford Law School in 2012. In his spare time, Chris enjoys reading science fiction and noir detective novels, as well as finding new and exciting things to do and see in the city. He is happy to talk about things as esoteric as antitrust law and as enjoyable as the best hotels and restaurants in cities around the world! Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-wilson-a4653748

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Chris shares his insights on:

· Choosing Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College over top alternative options on and off the field

· Selecting liberal arts majors for their versatility and desired practical skill sets

· Planning your thesis and determining the skills you need to develop to complete it, like data analysis

· The importance of getting to know your faculty, honors advisor, and thesis advisor

· Dealing with adversity and making tough choices around prioritization to learn resilience as a response to setbacks and burnout

· Considering dropping out of the Honors College and engaging with staff to find ways to stay a Scholar

· Transitioning away from the regimentation of student athlete life

· Continuing research in industry rather than graduate programs

· Deciding to go to law school after working full time

· Advice on approaching law school motivation, relationships, and opportunities

· Paying it forward as an alumni donor to provide resources to current Scholars

· Learning the values of resilience and humility

· The power of relationships

· Enjoying University Park & State College – or your Commonwealth Campus & local town – while you’re in college

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Schreyer Honors College Links:

• Website

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Upcoming Events

• Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment!

• Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer

• Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars

• Join the Penn State Alumni Association

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Credits & Notes:

This content is available in text form here.

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer).

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Play Download

Episode 26 · 1 month ago

FTG 0026 - Supporting the Supporters with Volunteer Manager Haley Staub Rappoldt ’18, ‘21g

Overview:

Haley Staub Rappoldt ’18 Com '21g Edu is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations. She has been in this role since graduating with her BA in Public Relations with Honors where she supports 700+ Penn State fundraising volunteers. Our conversation focuses primarily on volunteerism and philanthropy, but all Scholars can get value out of this episode by learning about leadership and skills that can be useful in any industry and in any volunteer role. For Haley’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the topics we cover, check out the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Haley Rappoldt is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in Penn State’s Division of Development & Alumni Relations. Haley provides advancement and oversight of volunteer recruitment, onboarding, engagement, education, evaluation and recognition practices for the 700+ volunteers who work to advance the University's fundraising efforts. Haley joined the University staff after earning a BA in Public Relations with Honors from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2018. She also earned her Master of Education in Higher Education from Penn State’s College of Education in 2021. As a volunteer management and engagement professional, Haley is a firm believer in volunteering her own time, talent, and treasure to organizations that she is passionate about, including Penn State THON and the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG). Please feel free to connect with Haley on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

· Choosing Penn State because of involvement with a high school Mini-THON and a passion for philanthropy

· Picking a “broad” major that fits your interests when you aren’t sure of your career path

· Taking advantage of leadership opportunities on campus including Schreyer Student Council and THON – including the difference between the Communications and Public Relations committees

· The benefits of travel embedded honors courses for a global perspective

· Finding new opportunities from connecting with faculty

· Using the thesis to explore something separate from other interests

· Intentionally looking for diverse internship and pre-professional experiences, from consumer products to tourism to development & alumni relations

· Taking an internship into a full-time role out of college

· What a manager of fundraising volunteers does day in, day out

· The skills future volunteer managers should develop – and how these are also helpful for other people-centric career paths

· Advice on fully remote internships and jobs

· Volunteering as an alum, both with the Honors College, Penn State, and in your community

· Thoughts on success, failure, and mentoring

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Schreyer Honors College Links: