Rerouted

Nicholas Karamanian

Welcome to Rerouted, the podcast where host Nicholas Karamanian interviews unique guests to explore their uncommon and non-linear career paths. We discuss the highs and lows, the critical moments, and the key skills and lessons learned that have shaped the journey. Whether you're looking for a career pivot, the start of your path, or just an interesting story, this podcast is the place for you.

  1. 21 JAN

    From Planning Weddings to Founding BobaTalks with Jeff Nguyen

    FOLLOW, RATE In this conversation, Jeff shares his journey from struggling in college to becoming a recruiter at Amazon and founding BobaTalks, a nonprofit aimed at mentoring students. He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of finding one's North Star, and how his experiences shaped his desire to help others. Jeff emphasizes the balance between personal and professional life, and the need for a personal code to navigate career paths. He also reflects on the impact of BobaTalks on his career and offers advice for students navigating their own paths. Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com Email: nick@reroutedpod.com Instagram: @rerouted_pod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcast/ Jeff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvngyn/ EWB-UIUC Website: ewbuiuc.org Keywords career advice, mentorship, recruiting, BobaTalks, Amazon, personal development, college struggles, public speaking, online presence, student support Takeaways Jeff's journey includes struggles in college and early career. He transitioned from a tech support role to recruiting at Amazon. Finding his North Star involved helping students and giving back. BobaTalks was founded to mentor students and provide career advice. Navigating conflicts of interest is a challenge for Jeff. BobaTalks has significantly impacted his career and perspective. Balancing personal life and professional responsibilities is difficult. Jeff encourages students to embrace their unique paths and timelines. Building a meaningful online presence requires authenticity and consistency. It's important to have a personal code to navigate career decisions. Sound bites "I want to help students feel less lost." "I want to help students the most that I can." "I want to make LinkedIn feel more accessible." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jeff's Journey 02:27 College Experience and Early Career Struggles 07:13 Transitioning to Recruiting at Amazon 11:37 Finding His North Star 14:41 The Birth of BobaTalks 20:15 Balancing Recruitment and Mentorship 25:55 Personal Growth Through BobaTalks 28:14 Managing Time and Energy 32:16 Navigating Career Changes and Identity 34:49 The Philosophy Behind Mentorship 37:48 Future Aspirations and Career Goals 39:38 Building Communities and Seeking Help 42:36 Crafting a Meaningful Online Presence 48:27 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 59:41 Final Thoughts and Advice for Career Navigation

    57 min
  2. 14 JAN

    From Doctor to AI for Healthcare Innovator: Fuyuto Miyake

    In this conversation, Nicholas Karamanian speaks with Fuyuto Miyake, a resident physician focused on integrating AI into healthcare systems. They discuss Fuyuto's journey from medical school to developing innovative AI tools, his experiences at a hackathon, and the impact of social media on his career. Fuyuto shares insights on managing multiple projects, the importance of policy in healthcare, and his vision for the future of medicine, emphasizing the need for community-centric approaches and sustainable healthcare solutions. Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com Email: nick@reroutedpod.com Instagram: @rerouted_pod LinkedIn: Rerouted Fuyuto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuyuto-miyake-md/ Fuyuto X: https://x.com/FuyutoMiyake?s=20 Keywords AI in healthcare, innovative solutions, medical technology, healthcare systems, career paths, hackathon, social media impact, time management, policy in healthcare, future of medicine Takeaways Fuyuto Miyake is a resident physician focused on AI in healthcare. He believes technology can help fix systemic healthcare issues. Curiosity and problem-solving are key to learning programming. Participating in hackathons can showcase skills and ideas. Social media can significantly enhance professional visibility. Networking can lead to unexpected career opportunities. Policy is crucial for implementing effective healthcare solutions. AI will play a transformative role in future medicine. Community-level data can drive healthcare improvements. Sustainable healthcare systems require innovative city planning. Sound bites "AI tools to improve healthcare systems" "Triage is very important" "My posts reached around 500,000 impressions" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fuyuto Miyake 01:04 Journey into Medicine and AI 04:31 Hackathon Experience and Triage Application 06:40 Impact of Social Media and Networking 10:07 Current Projects and Future Aspirations 18:28 Policy, AI, and the Future of Medicine

    27 min
  3. 7 JAN

    How to Make and Sell a Consumer Product with Abdullah Ikram

    In this episode, Nicholas Karamanian interviews Abdullah Ikram, a university student and entrepreneur who transformed his personal experience with back pain into a successful business by designing an orthopedic pillow. Abdullah shares his journey from identifying a market need to navigating the complexities of product design, manufacturing, and marketing. He emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships, the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities with entrepreneurial ambitions, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in business. Abdullah also discusses his future aspirations and the potential for market expansion beyond the UAE.Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com Email: nick@reroutedpod.com Instagram: @rerouted_pod LinkedIn: Rerouted Product Link: https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B0C85PYM29?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_RXV1SEFTC7DEPXE5J79C Keywords entrepreneurship, orthopedic pillow, manufacturing, marketing, university student, business challenges, product design, Amazon FBA, UAE, back pain Takeaways Abdullah turned his personal struggle with back pain into a business opportunity. He designed an orthopedic pillow specifically for people with back pain. The journey of entrepreneurship involves making mistakes and learning from them. Finding a reliable manufacturer is crucial for product success. Abdullah emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships. Marketing strategies must adapt to different cultural contexts. Balancing academic responsibilities with business ambitions is challenging but essential. Setting deadlines for business goals helps maintain focus and direction. Collaboration with established entities can enhance credibility and market reach. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurial success. Sound bites "Comparison is the thief of joy." "You need capital to start off with this." "You have to document the whole thing." Chapters 00:00 The Birth of an Idea: From Pain to Product 03:25 Designing the Solution: The Creation Process 06:22 Manufacturing Insights: Collaborating with Factories 08:49 Navigating the Market: Finding the Right Audience 11:37 Logistics and Fulfillment: The Amazon Model 14:44 Growth Challenges: Learning from Experience 17:31 Building Trust: The Importance of Reputation 20:25 Future Directions: Setting Goals and Deadlines 26:53 Exploring Market Differences: UAE vs. US 29:34 Navigating Logistics and Market Entry 34:23 The Importance of Local Knowledge in Business 37:26 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship 42:11 Funding Your Business: Lessons Learned 44:44 Starting Your Entrepreneurial Journey 46:00 The Importance of Continuous Improvement 47:50 Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Challenges

    48 min
  4. 10/12/2025

    Tech Sales, to Product, to All-In Startup Founder of Learvo: Aneesh Ramamoorthy

    Follow, Rate, Like, Subscribe! Summary In this conversation, Aneesh discusses his journey as a startup founder and the mission of Learvo, an education technology company aimed at making learning more engaging and personalized. He shares insights from his first startup experience, the transition from sales to product management, and the importance of customer discovery in building a successful product. Aneesh also addresses the challenges of recruitment in startups, the impact of AI on education, and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com Email: nick@reroutedpod.com Instagram: @rerouted_pod LinkedIn: Rerouted Aneesh's Email: aneesh@learvo.com Learvo: learvo.com Takeaways Learvo aims to make learning fun and motivating for students. Customer discovery is essential for validating startup ideas. Recruitment is a continuous process in startups. Adaptability is crucial for navigating the startup landscape. AI will play a significant role in the future of education. Perseverance is key to overcoming challenges in startups. Competition can drive innovation and improvement. Experimentation is necessary for growth and success. Understanding different learning modalities can enhance education. Seek diverse perspectives and advice to inform your journey. Sound bites "Experimentation is vital for growth." "Seek advice from various perspectives." "Find what motivates you and follow it." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Learvo and Its Mission 02:45 Aneesh's Startup Journey: From College to Entrepreneurship 06:12 Transitioning from Sales to Product Management 09:03 The Impact of College Experiences on Startup Ideas 12:09 Navigating the Job Market: Breaking into Product Management 14:50 The Importance of Customer Discovery in Startups 17:49 Recruitment Challenges in Early-Stage Startups 21:05 The Origin Story of Learvo 23:50 Building a Product: From Ideation to Customer Validation 27:01 Lessons Learned in Product Management 29:55 Adapting to Evolving Technology in Startups 39:07 Navigating Startup Challenges 40:43 The Startup Lifestyle: Work-Life Balance 43:08 The Future of Education: Evolving Classrooms 51:31 Advice for Aspiring Startup Founders 57:51 Finding Purpose in Career Choices Keywords Learvo, education technology, startups, customer discovery, product management, entrepreneurship, AI in education, recruitment challenges, startup advice, future of learning

    58 min
  5. 19/11/2025

    Odd Jobs, to Dental Hygiene, to HR: Angie Stacey

    Follow, Rate, Like, Subscribe! In this conversation, Angie Stacey shares her inspiring journey from being a dental office manager to her current roles at Brunswick, highlighting her late entry into college, the challenges of balancing family and education, and her growth in the HR field. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, setting boundaries, and pursuing fulfillment in both personal and professional life. Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: Rerouted Takeaways Angie transitioned from a dental office manager to HR roles at Brunswick. She started her college education later in life after being laid off. Balancing family responsibilities with education was a significant challenge. Angie graduated with a 3.9 GPA while raising a child and working. She learned the importance of self-advocacy in her career. Angie emphasizes that money isn't everything in choosing a career. She encourages others to seek fulfillment in their work and life. Curiosity is a key trait for successful interns. Setting boundaries and learning to say no is crucial for well-being. Angie's journey reflects the importance of support from family and mentors. Keywords career journey, HR, education, work-life balance, personal growth, internships, dental hygiene, Brunswick, self-advocacy, life lessons Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Brunswick Corporation 01:14 Angie's Early Career Journey 04:30 Transitioning to College and Dental Hygiene 08:26 Challenges and Triumphs in Dental Hygiene School 11:53 Starting a Career in Dental Hygiene 15:49 Navigating Changes in the Dental Office 17:47 The Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Hygiene 21:40 Transitioning to Brunswick Corporation 23:07 Exploring New Opportunities in HR and Education 25:27 Navigating Career Development and Education 28:55 Reflecting on Past Challenges and Support Systems 30:29 Transferring Skills from Dentistry to HR 32:38 Learning to Say No and Setting Boundaries 34:34 Validation in Career Transitions 36:29 Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace 39:08 Looking Back: Would You Change Your Path? 41:42 Keys to Success for Interns 45:49 The Competitive Landscape of Intern Recruitment 48:40 Final Thoughts on Fulfillment and Career Satisfaction 50:47 Empowering Your Career Journey

    51 min
  6. 22/10/2025

    The "Right Kind of Engineer" with Emily Lawson-Bulten

    Summary In this episode, Nicholas Karamanian interviews Emily Lawson-Bulten, a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois, who shares her unique journey from civil engineering to pursuing a PhD. Emily discusses her early career, impactful travel experiences, and the lessons learned about water scarcity and engineering. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the value of mentorship, and the need for engineers to understand the social dynamics of their work. Emily also reflects on her aspirations for the future and the evolving definition of what it means to be an engineer. Takeaways Emily's journey highlights the importance of mentorship in shaping career paths.Travel experiences can significantly influence one's professional focus and values.Understanding community needs is crucial for effective engineering solutions.Engineers should consider the long-term maintenance of their designs.Personal connections in the workplace enhance job satisfaction and performance.Career paths are often non-linear and filled with unexpected opportunities.Being open to new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth.The definition of engineering is evolving to include diverse perspectives and approaches.Collaboration with communities can lead to more effective and sustainable engineering solutions.Self-awareness and understanding one's biases are essential for engineers. Emily's Email: emilyjl3@illinois.edu Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: nick@reroutedpod.comInstagram: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: Rerouted Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emily's Journey 02:56 Undergraduate Experience and Early Influences 05:39 Impactful Travel Experiences and Water Equity 08:14 Lessons from Kenya: Water Scarcity and Engineering 10:42 Advice for Students: Embracing Opportunities 13:31 First Job Experience: Learning and Growth 16:06 Transitioning to a New Role: Finding Passion 18:49 Optimizing Job Preferences and Experiences 21:01 The Value of Comprehensive Project Involvement 23:48 Final Thoughts on Engineering and Personal Growth 29:20 Passion and Career Reflection 32:04 The Decision to Pursue a PhD 37:47 Expanding the Definition of Engineering 44:08 Personal Growth and Engineering Identity 46:37 Future Aspirations and Open Possibilities 54:13 From Civil Engineering to Academia 54:13 Looking Ahead: The Future of Engineering Keywords engineering, career paths, PhD, water equity, community development, travel experiences, civil engineering, mentorship, professional growth, teaching

    55 min

About

Welcome to Rerouted, the podcast where host Nicholas Karamanian interviews unique guests to explore their uncommon and non-linear career paths. We discuss the highs and lows, the critical moments, and the key skills and lessons learned that have shaped the journey. Whether you're looking for a career pivot, the start of your path, or just an interesting story, this podcast is the place for you.