Scholar Scoop
This is where conversations inspire possibilities. Every episode, we speak with people who have changed my life to help you navigate yours. From college, career, to life. Glad you’re here
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What if your first job is not a lifelong commitment, but the first step in discovering what matters to you? In this episode of Scholar Scoop, Steve Loflin sits down with Todd Altomare, faculty member at Arizona State University and advisor to the NSCS chapter at ASU, for a practical conversation about career paths, leadership, networking, mentorship, and the value of staying open to unexpected opportunities.
Todd shares how his own journey took him from Boston College to a long career in financial services, then into entrepreneurship, and eventually into the classroom, where he now helps students think more clearly about college, career, and life. Along the way, he learned that meaningful work often comes from paying attention to what energizes you, who you enjoy helping, and how each experience builds the next set of skills.
Steve and Todd also talk about why students do not need to have everything figured out before graduation, how to use networking as a real relationship-building tool, and why stepping into leadership roles during college can be one of the best ways to grow confidence before entering the workforce.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why your first job does not have to define your whole career
- How to think about networking without making it feel transactional
- Why students should take people up when they offer to help
- How leadership can be learned through campus involvement
- Why saying yes to student leadership roles can build confidence
- How faculty members and mentors can help students navigate what comes next
- Why emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and relatability matter in leadership
- How Todd’s work at ASU is helping students connect life sciences, business, entrepreneurship, and innovation
Whether you’re a high school student thinking about college, a college student preparing for your next step, a young alum navigating your early career, or a parent supporting a student, this conversation is a reminder that you do not need a perfect plan to build a meaningful path.
Sometimes, the most important thing is to stay curious, build relationships, and be willing to say yes.
