In this special episode of Four Old College Friends, Adrienne and Jessica sit down with their first-ever guest, Stacey, an old college friend. Together, they take a deep dive into Stacey’s journey from the late 90s to today, reflecting on her career pivots, life events, and lessons learned along the way.

This episode was recorded on Thursday November 14, 2024

What’s Inside This Episode:

• How Stacey chose her college major and landed her first job as a guidance counselor.
• Navigating grad school, career crossroads, and changes in the education system over time.
• A look back at her time in New York City as a school counselor at the Professional Performing Arts School.
• How shifts in personal priorities and systemic changes in education led Stacey to explore new paths.
• Stacey’s pivot into an unexpected career as an on-air guest host for QVC, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and the challenges of staying relevant in a changing industry.
• The reality of midlife career pivots and the struggles of balancing passion, family, and financial needs.
• A heartfelt discussion on women’s careers, societal expectations, and the lack of resources to support professional reinvention.

Key Takeaways:

• Embracing career shifts: Stacey’s journey from guidance counseling to live TV hosting shows how following your interests can lead to surprising opportunities.
• The impact of systemic changes on education and its professionals.
• Why mid-career pivots are challenging, especially for women balancing family and personal fulfillment.
• The importance of adaptability, resourcefulness, and staying connected to what excites you.

Episode Highlights:

• Stacey’s early dream of becoming a guidance counselor and her path through grad school.
• How she landed at QVC and learned the art of authentic, unscripted selling.
• The challenges of staying relevant in the era of social media and how authenticity plays a crucial role.
• Personal reflections on the pressures of maintaining careers while raising families.

Whether you’re considering your own career pivot or just love hearing stories about navigating life’s twists and turns, this episode offers a candid, relatable conversation packed with insights and laughter.

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🎵 Featured track: Focus by Chic Bangs. Visit https://chicbangs.com/ to learn more.

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