The Journey Mappers Podcast — the official podcast of The OU Pledge — is your guide to building a life that works for you. Whether you’re exploring majors, preparing for the next step in your career or redesigning your future, this podcast offers insights and inspiration to help you navigate a life with confidence and creativity. Listen in as our featured guests explore topics such as:

• Internship and Career Chats
• Employer Connections
• Student Successes
• Inspiring Stories

As part of the Strategic Vision 2030, The OU Pledge is the university’s commitment to provide undergraduates with opportunities to enhance their academic knowledge through experience-based learning such as internships, research, service learning and community engagement. The Journey Mappers Podcast is a storytelling series, presented and hosted by Career and Life Design Center leadership and coaches, that explores how OU students, alumni, faculty and staff work with employers and the community to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.

Each episode dives into the twists and turns of our guests’ journeys that led to moments of growth, change and discovery. Listeners are encouraged to start where they are, reframe challenges and take intentional action toward their goals, becoming empowered to explore career pathways and build networks that will shape their futures.

The Journey Mappers Podcast series playlist is available on OU's YouTube page, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hopes to inspire every Golden Grizzly to design a life of purpose and possibility, supported by The OU Pledge.

Thank you to the OU Credit Union for their sponsorship of the Journey Mappers Podcast.

Journey Mappers Podcast YouTube playlist

Season 2, Episode 1: Rocket

In this episode of the Journey Mappers Podcast, we sit down with Reem Abdaal, senior sales recruiter, and Eric Jones, senior talent relationship manager at Rocket - two powerhouse professionals who know what it takes to launch a career that soars.

Season 2, Episode 2: Careers in Finance

In this episode, Managing Partner Meagan Larson of TruVista Wealth Advisors shares why Golden Grizzlies are ready to thrive in the workforce - and how Oakland University equips students with the empathy, curiosity and confidence today’s careers demand.

Season 2, Episode 3: Financial Advice for College Students

Ian Duncanson, market manager at Oakland University Credit Union, sits down with Wayne Thibodeau, senior director of the OU Career and Life Design Center, to talk about all things finance when starting out as a college student or young professional.

Season 2, Episode 4: Preparing for the Career Fair

Four Oakland University Career and Life Design Center staffers share what to expect when you walk through the Career Fair doors. From first impressions to confident conversations, they offer tips and break down how to show up prepared, curious and career ready.

Season 2, Episode 5: Growing Your Brand

From storytelling on LinkedIn to showing up at events, Ian Caullay and Bill Stec (Yeo & Yeo) share how a consistent presence both online and in person make the difference when building a strong brand on campus.

Season 2, Episode 6: Mock Interview Methods

Articulating experiences is key to a successful interview. Watch as Maelle Rouquet, a Career and Life Design Coach in the School of Business Administration, provides real-time feedback to Guadalupe Sanchez, SBA ‘25 - and then make an appointment with a coach on Handshake to practice your own interview skills!