Real Work, Real Life

Emily Sampson
  • 5.0 (31)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Everything you wished you learned during your school's Career Day. Hear interviews from people in every line of work, covering how to get there, what the actual work is like, pay, benefits, and both the joys and annoyances that aren't clear until you're working in the field. Reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com

  1. 10/18/2024

    In Review

    Send us a text On this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, after more than 60 interviews, today the tables are turned, and I’m the guest. My interviewer is my husband, Corey. If you’d like to learn more about his work, check out his episode on life as a Marine Engineer. In this interview, I answer all the questions I have asked my guests, but I also reflect a lot on what I have learned in this process, which as it turns out, is a lot of things. Before we get into, I just wanted to say how incredibly grateful I am to my guests, who took time out of their day to talk candidly about work with me, both strangers and dear friends and family. I’m also so grateful for the support of my friends and family through this process, I’ve learned more than I ever expected, and I can’t wait to share that all with you.  Thank you all so much for listening, for coming on the show to talk with me, and all the notes of support. You can reach me at RealWorkRealLife@gmail.com.

    1h 47m

  2. 10/02/2024

    Firefighter

    Send us a text On this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life I’m talking with Mike Ettenberg, a firefighter and the founder of Frontline Optics, a sunglasses company focused on the needs of the First Responder Community but suitable for anyone. If you’ve ever considered becoming a firefighter or you wonder what it’s like, we get into it all: the joys of camaraderie and making a clear and tangible impact on people's lives, but of course, with the lows of the profession like burnout and spending much of your working life seeing people on some of the worst days of their lives. We also learned that if you want to thank your local fire department, you can’t go wrong with sweet treats. If you’d like to find out more about Mike’s company, which donates a portion of all proceeds to the First Responders Children’s Foundation, in support of those children who have lost a parent in the line of duty you can find them here: https://frontline-optics.com If you liked this interview with Mike, you might also like my discussion with Tim and hearing about his life in the Air Force and working for the government or Meg, talking about life in the U.S.Army: Meg, U.S. Army Tim, Air Force and Government If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    36 min

  3. 09/18/2024

    Pharmacist

    Send us a text On this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life I’m talking with LaQuita Johnson, about life working as a Pharmacist. We get into all the details about life in this field, like the burnout risk in the retail sector, to the challenge of transitioning from school to actually working in the field. If you’d like to learn more about LaQuita, you can find her at LaQuitaJohnson.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy one of the many episodes I’ve done covering life in the medical field: Chaundria, a Radiologic Technologist Shannon, and Immunologist Sabrina, an OB-GYN Chris, a Registered Nurse If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    49 min

  4. 09/04/2024

    Technical Account Manager

    Send us a text On this week’s episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Nathan, a technical account manager. Generally, technical account managers are the technical support liaison for clients of software companies. They form and maintain relationships with their clients, help them resolve issues with the products, and make sure they’re are able to use it effectively, which is really important because software can often be a huge investment for a client. We cover so much in this episode, including thoughts on the future of this work with the continued rise of AI, the challenges of working in a service role (even a highly skilled one), the transition from in office to remote work, and how this role fits into the typical software company structure. If enjoyed this episode, you might also like my interviews with Sam, a Customer Success Manager, and Jake, a Software Engineer, you can find them linked below! Software EngineerCustomer Success ManagerIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    1h 3m

  5. 08/21/2024

    Teacher, Preschool, Special Education

    Send us a text On this week’s episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Kelly Tag. Kelly teaches special education for preschoolers in a public school system and before that had experience teaching online on a variety of subjects . We talk about getting started with a provisional license, working in a field in whatever capacity you can before committing to it, and so much more.  Follow Kelly at https://www.youtube.com/c/TeacherKellyTag Other episodes that might interest you: Meagan, TeacherMichelle, ParaeducatorStacie, Early Childhood EducatorIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    30 min

  6. 08/07/2024

    Radiologic Technologist

    Send us a text On this week’s episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Chaundria Singleton, a medical imaging and radiation therapy professional, or a radiologic technologist. One path we talk about here is one that I don’t hear quite as much about, the path from entrepreneurship into a career as an employee. I’m so glad to have an opportunity to share that path, because we so often romanticize the path of ditching your 9-5 to be your own boss, but there are tons of reasons that being an employee might be a better path for a person, especially in an in demand field like this. We cover so many important tips and considerations in the field, like the earning potential of different specialities, making sure you’re applying for an accredited program, and what actually happens if you accidentally get into an MRI with metal in your body. If you want to find out more about Chaundria and this field, you can follow her on social media at @acoupleofradtechs. If you enjoyed this episode, I have quite a few other interviews with people working in the medical field, like Kat, a physical therapist assistant or Chris, a registered nurse. Follow Chaundria on social media @acoupleofradtechs Other episodes that might interest you: Kat, Physical Therapist AssistantChris, Registered NurseIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    47 min

  7. 07/24/2024

    Security

    Send us a text On this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Ashlee Cervantes Thomas, an experienced security professional from Guardian Protection Force in California. Like so many of the fields I’ve spoken with people about, there are so many different paths you can take within security, from the security guards we’re all familiar with in retail stores and offices, to events security to executive or celebrity bodyguards. There is room for all types of people with tons of different schedules available and high demand for services. We cover how to get started in this field, the roles and responsibilities once you’re on the job, and so much more. So let’s get into it! Find out more about what Ashlee does: Guardian Protection Force website: www.gpfsecuritycorp.comAshlee's Instagram @guardian.ceoGuardian Protection Force Instagram: @gpf_incIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    44 min

  8. 07/10/2024

    Teacher, Middle and High School

    Send us a text On this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Meagan Tehseldar, a high school English Language Arts teacher. When I first envisioned this podcast, teacher was definitely a career that was high on my list, and Meagan was the perfect guest for this because she’s had experience across different states, public, private, and charter, and now is teaching virtually, so if you’re curious about what life as a teacher might be like, we get into so many different paths you could take. I also appreciated how candid Meagan was about the challenges in this career right now, like some of the other fields I’ve covered, teaching as a profession is in a  tough spot right now. If you’re considering going into education, you’ll be in incredibly high demand, but that’s partly because it’s so hard to find enough people that want to fill the roles, which is definitely something to consider as you consider your own ability to cope with the specific challenges in this field. On the other hand, it’s a chance to positively impact your community in a way that few other fields offer. To learn more about Meagan, follow her Instagram:@loveoverlabelsadvocacy If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73 Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

    44 min
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About

Everything you wished you learned during your school's Career Day. Hear interviews from people in every line of work, covering how to get there, what the actual work is like, pay, benefits, and both the joys and annoyances that aren't clear until you're working in the field. Reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Sampson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Real Work, Real Life
  • Show Website
    Real Work, Real Life