Careers Without Connections

Gianna Linares
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The podcast for underrepresented professionals building their careers from scratch and navigating unfamiliar spaces.

  1. 3d ago

    Moving 2,933 Miles From: How Moving to a New City Can Help You Reinvent Yourself and Step Into Your Greatest Potential

    In this episode, I share my story of moving 2,933 miles from Oregon to Philadelphia with no job, no connections, and no clear plan—and how that experience completely changed the trajectory of her life. We discuss how stepping into a new environment can help you reinvent yourself, build a new life from scratch, discover what you actually want, and grow. You can learn more about Career Strategy Consulting here: https://giannalinares.carrd.co/ TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares Connect with me on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

  2. Aug 10

    Why Empathy Is a Business Strategy: How Unselfish Networking Creates Opportunities

    In this episode, Liz Nguyen, a first-generation entrepreneur and CEO of SMP Factor, shares how empathy, vulnerability, and curiosity have shaped the way she approaches business, networking, and entrepreneurship. We talk about building genuine connections, claiming what you want, and learning to recognize your own potential even when the system wasn't built for you. Topics we cover: • Why people tend to silo themselves within their industries, age groups, and existing networks—and the value of connecting with people from different walks of life • How Liz approaches networking by asking, “How can I help them?” instead of treating every interaction as transactional • Why empathy, vulnerability, and curiosity are central to Liz's approach to business and building relationships • How “exercising your want muscle” and claiming what you want can change the way you approach opportunities • Rethinking imposter syndrome and recognizing that many professional systems were not built for women, immigrants, and underrepresented communities What you'll learn in this episode: • How to approach networking as a way to genuinely help people rather than as a transactional exchange • Why you should stay curious and ask clarifying questions instead of making assumptions • How to start claiming what you want instead of focusing on what you don't want • Why visibility and putting yourself out there can help you create more opportunities • How to rethink imposter syndrome and the role that confidence and systemic double standards can play in how we see ourselves TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/ --- Liz's Instagram: @smpfactor Website: https://smpfactor.com/home-166664

  3. Aug 2

    Why Your Self-Worth Has More to Do With Your Income Than You Think

    In this episode, I share why improving your self-worth can directly impact your career, the opportunities you create for yourself, and even your earning potential. Through personal stories about negotiating salaries, moving across the country, building my career from scratch, and learning to stop settling, I talk about how practicing self-love through your actions can help you become the best version of yourself. Topics we cover:• Why self-worth and self-love directly impact your career potential and income• The role your social circle, dating life, and boundaries play in the opportunities you create for yourself• Personal stories about negotiating salaries, moving across the country, and taking risks before feeling qualified• Practical ways to show yourself self-love through your daily actions and decisions What you'll learn in this episode:• Why settling for less than you deserve can limit your career growth and opportunities• How advocating for yourself, asking for more, and applying before you feel qualified can change your career• Simple ways to practice self-love through boundaries, self-care, and intentionally choosing who you spend your time with• Why taking risks, accepting failure, and getting uncomfortable builds confidence over time• How treating yourself the way you would treat someone you love can help you create the life and career you want --- TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/

  4. Jul 26

    How This First-Gen Latina CEO Scaled Her Business from $12K to $160K in Revenue in Just One Year

    In this episode I’m joined by Katrina Calderon, first-generation Latina, CEO and co-founder of Regal Fierce Media, to talk about building a business from scratch, leaving a 9-to-5, and what it really takes to turn big dreams into reality. We dive into the mindset, experiences, and lessons that helped her grow her media agency into a six-figure business while staying grounded in community, perseverance, and taking initiative. Topics we cover: • Growing up low income, being raised by a single mom, and becoming the first in her family to graduate college • How speaking your dreams into existence, taking initiative, and building confidence shaped her entrepreneurial journey • Transitioning from a 9-to-5 into running Regal Fierce Media full time and growing it into a six-figure business • The value of networking, social media, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with people who think differently What you'll learn in this episode: • Why taking small steps and putting full-time energy into your goals leads to full-time results • How to build confidence by speaking your goals into existence and staying committed even when things feel uncertain • Why networking, asking questions, and reaching out to people can completely change your career path • How understanding your strengths—and building a team with different perspectives—can help you grow faster • Why writing down your goals, creating a plan, and taking initiative matters more than waiting until you feel ready --- Connect with me ↓ TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/ ---Connect with Katrina↓TikTok/Instagram: @regalfiercemedia Regal Fierce Media: https://www.regalfiercemedia.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23562901811&gbraid=0AAAAABXai_VLMz0GIUp6At3wu-d7Dyw-b&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4JbTBhCoARIsALWUaBvXpcfDM_bpz3ejpVFRcjGGq5O5TKXcZ2XrlwTsnp7d0npi0j4OqJMaAkozEALw_wcB

  5. Jul 19

    How to Graduate With Your Master's Degree Debt-Free (And Get Paid to Study)

    In this episode, I share how I graduated with my master's degree 100% debt-free and actually got paid to go to grad school as a first-generation Latina raised by immigrants. We talk through the exact strategies I used to find funding, stand out during the hiring process for graduate employment positions, and create opportunities for myself even when they weren't being advertised. Topics we cover:• How graduate employment positions, assistantships, and fellowships can help pay for graduate school• The strategies I used to stand out when applying for competitive funding opportunities• Why reaching out, following up, and building relationships opened doors that applications alone couldn't• How creating opportunities for yourself can lead to funding that wasn't originally available What you'll learn in this episode:• How to find graduate school funding through graduate employment positions and assistantships• Practical ways to stand out during the application and interview process, even if your experience doesn't seem like enough• Why asking for opportunities and showing initiative can create opportunities that don't yet exist• How consistently putting yourself out there compounds over time and leads to unexpected opportunities• Why visibility, relationships, and following up can make all the difference when you're building your career from scratch --- TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/

  6. Jul 13

    24-Year-Old First-Gen Founder: Personal Branding, Working with 8-Figure Brands, & Content Marketing

    In this episode, Vanessa Valencia, founder of Avrios Media, shares what it really takes to build a successful marketing agency and personal brand from the ground up as a young first-generation entrepreneur. Topics we cover: Building a marketing agency while still in collegeThe biggest misconceptions about content creation and social media marketingVanessa's approach to neuromarketing and using buyer psychology to create content that converts What you'll learn in this episode: How to create a personal brand without feeling like you have to share your entire lifeWhy consistency matters more than perfection when growing onlinePractical strategies for content marketing and building an engaged communityHow networking and genuine relationships can create career and business opportunitiesActionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, marketers, content creators, and anyone looking to grow their online presenceYou can find me here: TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinaresLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/ Connect with Vanessa: Personal: @soothingstarzAgency: @avriosmediaMarketing Education: @brainsells.hq

  7. Jul 7

    How to Build Your Professional Network and Create Career Opportunities as a First-Gen Professional

    You hear time and time again that you need to network because networking is the key to success. But what if you're a first-generation professional, born into a family without any professional network or useful career connections? By the end of this episode you’ll know: How to build a network from scratch starting with 0How to find people you actually should be networking with How to approach someone and create and foster a professional connection with someone you’ve never met before You can reach me on TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/

  8. Jun 29

    First-Gen Latina MBA: From Engineer to Consultant, Moving to Chicago, and Monetizing Her Content

    I chatted with Jasmin Lopez, a first-generation Latina, former engineer, MBA graduate, content creator, and incoming consultant at Accenture. We talk about her pivot from engineering to business, working multiple jobs to pay for school, winning a life-changing scholarship, getting paid for content creation for the first time, and preparing to leave home and start over in Chicago. You can reach me on TikTok/Instagram: @giannalinares Connect with me on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-linares%E2%98%86-963097226/ Connect with Jasmin: @biztina

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The podcast for underrepresented professionals building their careers from scratch and navigating unfamiliar spaces.

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