Weinberg in the World Podcast

April Wang, a second-year student studying physics and integrated science, hosts the “Weinberg in the World” podcast and interviews Mike Forman, a 2012 Northwestern graduate and senior managing director at Blackstone. Mike shares how his studies in MMSS and economics, along with his involvement in a fraternity and the Kellogg Certificate Program, were formative experiences. He discusses how these experiences, along with internships and networking, led him to a career in finance and his current role at Blackstone.

In this episode of the “Weinberg in the World” podcast, student host Aimee Resnick, a senior at Northwestern University, interviews Steven Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International. Steven reflects on his time at Northwestern, highlighting his major in political science and his transformative junior year in Munich. He also shares how his unexpected passion for statistics influenced his career in investment banking and leadership roles. 

Professor Kate Masur and Dean Adrian Randolph discuss how her latest book, Freedom Was in Sight! draws on the words and experiences of people who lived during Reconstruction, as well as her teaching approach and the evolving style to teaching history in today’s classrooms.

In this episode of the “Weinberg in the World” podcast, student host Smera Dwivedi interviews Katrina Gentile, VP and head of global strategy at Wella Company. Katrina, a Northwestern alum, shares her career journey from consulting at BCG to various roles in the beauty industry, including a long tenure at Estée Lauder and her current role at Wella. She discusses her passion for problem-solving, her transition from consulting to corporate strategy, and her interest in the emotionally driven beauty industry. 

In this episode of the “Weinberg in the World” podcast, student host Mirabella Johnson, a recent graduate of Northwestern’s Cognitive Science and Global Health Studies programs, interviews Shruti Mehta, a professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Adrianne Wilson shares her journey from an environmental science major at Weinberg College to earning her master’s and PhD in marine biology and ecology. She is now a postdoc at NOAA, focusing on metagenomics and computational science.

In this episode of the “Weinberg in the World” podcast, student host Preena Shroff, a third-year neuroscience and global health major, interviews Peter Waitzman, a 1999 graduate of Weinberg College and current CEO of Expedition Money. Peter shares how his time at Northwestern, particularly his involvement with the economics community and living in Ayers CCI, shaped his career. 

In this special student-hosted episode of the “Weinberg in the World” podcast, student host Ashley Guo interviews JJ, a 1997 Northwestern graduate in psychology who now works at Microsoft. JJ shares his journey from initially pursuing a pre-med path to discovering his passion for psychology through an Intro to Psych class with Professor David Uttal. He discusses his struggles with organic chemistry and how psychology felt more natural to him. JJ also talks about his diverse coursework, including Russian and Eastern literature, history, and art classes, which enriched his undergraduate experience and allowed him to explore various interests.

In this conversation, Professor of English Chris Abani and Dean Adrian Randolph discuss “ubuntu,” a concept that recognizes our interconnectedness, the importance of an English major in today’s world, and the Program in African Studies, which holds the largest collection of African and Africana books and artifacts outside of Africa.

In this conversation, Professor of Chemistry Shana Kelley and Dean Adrian Randolph discuss creating new tools to diagnose and treat diseases, the importance of interdisciplinary and translational research at Weinberg College, and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub: a new and cutting edge collaboration between Northwestern, UChicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

In this conversation, Professor of English Susie Phillips and Dean Adrian Randolph discuss why teaching matters, how asking bold questions can open entire worlds of “speculative possibility” in scholarship, and the power of gossip.

This episode features clips from this year’s Weinberg College Career Summit alumni panels where a few alumni share stories about some of their most impactful classes and how those classes helped them in their future careers. Alumni from our Energy & Sustainability and Startups & Entrepreneurship alumni panels talked about an array of classes that helped them form arguments and think differently about their industries.

This episode features highlights from the career summit focusing on the changing landscapes in these industries. Speakers from all three fields discuss topics such as hybrid work, work-life balance, travel expectations, and more.

In this conversation, Professor of History and Director of the Latina and Latino Studies Program, Gerry Cadava and Dean Adrian Randolph discuss the meaning of diversity in the United States through the lens of Latino identity, as our nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

This episode, brought to you by the Waldron Student-Alumni Connections Program and Northwestern Career Advancement, features an in-depth discussion with Tracie Thomas from NCA about the difference between job function and industry, narrowing down career options, and how to approach an event like the Career Summit.

This episode features a few clips previous alumni conversations highlighting their memorable experiences relating to their majors in the humanities and how those experiences helped in their future careers.

This episode features a few clips previous alumni conversations highlighting their memorable experiences relating to their majors in the sciences and how those experiences helped in their future careers.

This episode features a few clips previous alumni conversations highlighting their memorable experiences relating to their majors in social sciences and how those experiences helped in their future careers.

Weinberg grad William Paik '20 discusses his journey from Northwestern to law school. Learn about the Asian American Studies program, comedy at Northwestern, Fulbright research in Korea, and how an interdisciplinary education has helped him.

Weinberg grad Mai Sistla '14 discusses her journey from Northwestern to deputy director at the Aspen Tech Policy Hub. Learn about important classes, extracurriculars, grad school, and the value of an Arts & Sciences education.

Weinberg grad Khoury Cooper '08 JD'13 discusses his journey from Northwestern to corporate counsel at YouTube. Learn about impactful classes, fraternity life, law school, career paths, work-life priorities, and networking.

Weinberg grad Kian Gohar '98 discusses his journey from Northwestern to founder and CEO of Geo-Lab. Learn about his great teacher, work-life balance, fellowships, post-grad options, and his book.

Weinberg grad Liz Ott '00 discusses her journey from Northwestern to president of Threespot. Learn about work-study, her first job, growing within a company, and the value of an Arts & Sciences education.

Weinberg grad Kathy Lin '08 PhD discusses her journey from Northwestern to product insights manager at Spotify. Learn about the MMSS major, internships, the PhD process, work-life balance, and finding a career path.

Weinberg grads Veronica Berns '09 and Robin Stark '98 discuss their careers in the Northwestern Chemistry Department. Learn about their influential classes, internships, first jobs, and advice for current students.

Weinberg grads Charlie Vasbinder '19 and Thanas Kountroubis '19 discuss their experiences at Northwestern, Chicago Field Studies, and their current careers at Barnett Capital.

Weinberg grad Prashant Bhayani '91 discusses his journey from Northwestern to chief investment officer at BNP Paribas. Learn about the value of a diverse education, business internships, his first job, developing a career abroad, and his role as a CIO.

Weinberg grad Danny Ginzburg '14 discusses his journey from Northwestern to a Gates-Cambridge PhD in plant sciences. Learn about his research, Greek life, and the value of an Arts & Sciences degree.

Weinberg grad Chandana Sooranahalli '20 discusses her journey from Northwestern to management consulting. Learn about her unique transfer experience, undergraduate research, and plans for med school.

Weinberg grad David Ngene '08 discusses his journey from Northwestern to innovation design director at Nike. Learn about his changing majors, first job, return to school, and the value of an Arts & Sciences degree.

This episode of the Weinberg in the World Podcast features stories from Alumni from the Career Summit and previous alumni conversations focusing on lessons related to networking. Alumni speakers share their thoughts on how to network with your peers in college and the lessons it provides, developing relationships by networking with those who interest you, and the value of networking in person at large events!

Weinberg faculty member Sandy Waxman and student Jackie Cantu discuss their research in child development at Northwestern. Learn about the Posner Research Program, what goes on inside a lab, and advice for those interested in pursuing research.

This episode of the Weinberg in the World Podcast features quotes from Alumni from the Career Summit and previous alumni conversations focusing on lessons learned through first jobs. Alumni speakers share their thoughts on jobs that change constantly over time, how to succeed in a transforming job field, gaining skills during your first job, and seizing new opportunities!

We are excited to feature a few clips from this year’s Career Summit panels and a previous alumni conversation focusing on how extracurricular activities during their student experience helped alumni in their future careers.

This episode, brought to you by the Waldron Student-Alumni Connections Program and Northwestern Career Advancement, features a prep session for the Weinberg College Career Summit. Whether you are coming to the Career Summit to build your network because you already have a job or maybe you want to just come to listen to alumni from different fields share their stories because you are still undecided in what you want to do after graduation, this episode will help you prepare for the event.

We are excited to feature a few clips from previous Waldron Student-Alumni Connections Program conversations and panels focusing on finding a career path and following your passions. First is a conversation with Rachel Kimber ’03 (Cognitive Science) and her experience working her first few jobs after graduation. Rachel’s insights might be particularly helpful for those of you who are anxious about finding the perfect first job after graduation. Up second is an excerpt from a conversation with Steve Greenspon ’91, ’09 MBA (Political Science), who talks about using your passions and interests to help you pursue a career that is right for you.

Weinberg grad Austin Waldron discusses his journey from psychology major to senior vice president at Health Care Services Corporation. Learn how his Arts & Sciences education helped him succeed and why he established the Waldron Student-Alumni Connections Program.

Weinberg grad David Leander discusses his journey to becoming a resident physician. Learn how his diverse studies and public health experience led him to an MD/MBA path.

Naomi Joyce Bang graduated from Weinberg College in 1981 with a double major in Political Science and French. Joyce later became a human rights and human trafficking attorney as well as a law school professor. We talk about a Northwestern experience abroad that changed her path forever, some of her most interesting and impactful projects oversees, and her advice for students looking to pursue either law school or something different.

Northwestern grads Diana Richter (Art History) and Peter Moore (Economics) share their experiences navigating careers during a recession. Learn how they landed in entertainment marketing and startups, plus advice for recent grads.

Cody Keenan talked with students in the fall of 2019 about his career. He has been a speechwriter for President Barack Obama for nearly a decade, rising from a campaign intern in Chicago to Director of Speechwriting at the White House. He is also now a visiting professor at Northwestern.

Kathryn Haydon graduated from Weinberg College in 1999 with a major in Spanish. After a long career in the education space, Kathryn is now an author and speaker who helps people develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills. We talk about how she picked her major, some of the surprising ways her major helped propel her career, and how we can still be creative during a very stressful time.

Junta Nakai highlights his transition from finance to Databricks, a company that specializes in big data and AI, tools that rely heavily on computational models to predict trends and drive decision-making in industries like finance. His work at Databricks involves leveraging data and machine learning technologies to redefine financial services, illustrating the vital role of data-driven computation in shaping the future of business.

Rachel Shine graduated from Weinberg College in 2013 with a major in English. She later pursued a Masters in Social Work and she is currently a therapist in her own private practice. We talk about a defining experience at Northwestern that led her to pursue a career in therapy, the various aspects to her work that she enjoys and finds challenging, along with her recommendations for self-care during this particularly challenging time.

Steve Greenspon graduated from Weinberg College in 1991 with a major in political science. After graduating from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management in 2009, he became the Founder, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Honey-Can-Do-International, a multi-national manufacturer of consumer products.

Jeanne Sparrow graduated from Weinberg College in 1991 with a major in psychology. After graduating from Northwestern again in 2015 with a Masters in Communication, she became a member of the MSC faculty in the School of Communication and is currently a speaker, consultant, and 3-time Emmy-winning television and radio personality.