Career Development

The Four Pillars of a Fulfilling Retirement

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Caroline Francis, EdS Director of UK Alumni Career Services
Season 8, Episode 12
Welcome to Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley. In this episode Mindy talks with Caroline Francis, director of University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services, about the four pillars that research shows make retirement (and semi-retirement) healthier, more meaningful, and more sustainable.
Caroline outlines the four pillars—health and wellness, social and emotional connections (combating loneliness), lifelong learning, and work/purpose—and explains why each matters. She cites research like the Harvard Grant Study and examples such as Blue Zones to show how diet, movement, relationships, continued learning, and purposeful work support longevity and quality of life.
Listeners will hear practical tips for planning an intentional retirement:
start healthy habits early
prioritize close relationships and cross‑generational friendships
explore local learning programs (OLLI, Donovan, community centers)
consider encore careers or volunteer roles
Caroline also highlights UK Alumni Career Services (membership benefits include coaching sessions) and resources available to help with the non‑financial sides of retirement.
For more information visit the UK Alumni Association:
Website
Facebook
Job Club
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Harnessing the Power of AI in Your Job Search

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Amy Gamblin, MA Associate Director of UK Alumni Career Services
Season 8, Episode 4
In this episode of Talking FACS, we delve into the significant impact of AI on the job search process with expert guest Amy Gamblin, the Associate Director of Alumni Career Services.
Amy and host Mindy McCulley discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as personal assistants in job hunting, offering support in areas such as career path suggestions, resume writing, interview preparation, and salary negotiations. While exploring the advantages AI provides, they also address common misconceptions, emphasizing that AI should supplement rather than replace personal strategies and authenticity.
The conversation explores practical advice, including privacy tips and the importance of crafting quality prompts to optimize AI usage. Despite the benefits, Amy underscores that AI cannot substitute real human interaction and networking—key elements in successful job searching.
Join us as we examine the balance between leveraging AI technology and maintaining a genuine personal touch in navigating your career journey. 
For more information visit the UK Alumni Association:
Website
Facebook
Job Club
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Encore Careers

Host: Jennifer Hunter, PhD Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, EdS Director of UK Alumni Career Services and Amy Gamblin, MS Associate Director of UK Alumni Career Services
Season 6, Episode 36
Encore careers are an excellent opportunity to try something new or maybe something you have always wanted to do.  As we are living longer, the opportunity to have more than one career is a work path that many people are pursuing.  Listen as Caroline Francis and Amy Gamblin share strategies for ensuring that your encore career is successful.
For more information visit the UK Alumni Association:
Website
Facebook
Job Club

How to Make a Career Pivot

Host: Jennifer Hunter, PhD Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, EdS Director of UK Alumni Career Services and Amy Gamblin, MA Associate Director of UK Alumni Career Services
Season 6, Episode 32
Are you thinking about make a significant change to your career path? While many people change jobs from time to time, changing careers might induce nerves. Caroline Francis and Amy Gamblin, from University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services, join Talking FACS to share strategies for successfully making a career pivot.
For more information visit the UK Alumni Association:
Website
Facebook
Job Club

Networking for Career Success

Host: Jennifer Hunter, PhD Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, EdS Director of UK Alumni Career Services and Amy Gamblin, MS Associate Director of UK Alumni Career Services
Season 6, Episode 27
Networking is key to career growth. It moves beyond small talk to real connections with people who can help you advance along your career path.  Caroline Francis and Amy Gamblin, from University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services, join Talking FACS to share about the real benefits of networking and how it can impact your career.
For more information visit the UK Alumni Association:
Website
Facebook
Job Club
Connect with FCS Extension for assistance with this topic and others you hear about on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Recovery in the Workplace

Host: Mindy McCulley, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 6, Episode 11
Successful recovery from substance abuse depends on many factors.  One important component of successful recovery for many substance users is having a job or career.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Alex Elswick shares about what recovery in the workplace looks like for employers, employees, and the families of those who suffer from this disease.
To connect with FCS Extension:
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Website
FCS Facebook
FCS Instagram

Career Mistakes To Avoid

Host: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, Director of Alumni Career Services and Amanda Schagane, Associate Director of Alumni Career Services
Episode 49, Season 2
Our friends from the Alumni Career Services Center at the University of Kentucky, return this week to share some great insights into your career.  Caroline Francis and Amanda Schagane sit down with Dr. Jennifer Hunter to talk about this missteps that can have a detrimental effect on your career.
Full episode transcript

Interview Strategies that Lead to Job Offers

Host: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, Director of Alumni Career Services and Amanda Schagane, Associate Director of Alumni Career Services
Episode 37, Season 2
When it is time to meet your potential new employer face to face, prepare yourself with an arsenal of tools to calm your nerves around the interview process.  In this episode of Talking FACS, Caroline Francis and Amanda Schagane, from the UK Alumni Career Services Center return to discuss successful interview strategies.  If you want the job, be prepared to do the prep work!
Visit Alumni Career Services online.
Talking FACS Survey Do you like the podcast?  Do you have a show suggestion? Click the link to take a survey and get an entry into a prize drawing for a bucket filled with UK goodies.
Full episode transcript

Writing a Job Winning Resume

Host: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, Director of Alumni Career Services and Amanda Schagane, Associate Director of Alumni Career Services
Episode 33, Season 2
Whether you are new to the job search or have a wide range of experience, your resume is a potential employer's first opportunity to get a "look" at you!  Dr. Caroline Francis and Amanda Schagane from Alumni Career Services return to talk with Dr. Jennifer Hunter about ways to keep your resume relevant and fresh so that you will catch the eye of employers.
Visit Alumni Career Services online.
full episode transcript

Dressing for Success

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guests: Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support and Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment
Episode 23, Season 2
In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Jennifer Hunter sits down with Mindy McCulley and Jeanne Badgett to discuss tips for dressing professionally.  Whether interviewing for a job or simply representing yourself and your company at work, the way you dress is impactful.  Take time to nurture your professional image through the way you present yourself.
Full episode transcript

Utilizing LinkedIn for Career Success

Host: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, Director of Alumni Career Services and Amanda Schagane, Associate Director of Alumni Career Services
Episode 7, Season 2
Developing effective networks is critical for career success.  In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Jennifer Hunter visits with Caroline Francis and Amanda Schagane about LinkedIn, an important electronic tool that you will want to put in your career toolbox!  When you think of LinkedIn as Facebook with a briefcase, you start to recognize this tool as the key to making and keeping professional relationships in a digital world.
Visit Alumni Career Services online.
Full episode transcript

Bridging the Gap: Returning to the Workforce

Host: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests:  Caroline Francis, Director of Alumni Career Services and Amanda Schagane, Associate Director of Alumni Career Services
Episode 2, Volume 2
People may experience a gap in their career path for a variety of reasons.  Returning to work may present some new and interesting challenges.  In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Jennifer Hunter visits with Caroline Francis and Amanda Schagane, from Alumni Career Services, to discuss proactive steps that those seeking to return and newly returned employees can take to ease the transition.
Visit Alumni Career Services online.
Full episode transcript