64 episodes

Are you a Schreyer Scholar looking to connect with Scholar Alumni for career and life advice? Or perhaps you are a recent graduate looking to take the next step in your career, or are a prospective Scholar looking to learn more about the College. When our Scholars submit their honors thesis, they ring a ceremonial gong to mark the completion of their honors experience. #FollowingTheGong is a show that features conversations with Scholar Alumni and friends with stories and advice on how to maximize your Scholar experience, prepare for your career and further education, and make new connections with a strong network of Scholar Alumni that blazed the trail before you. Episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays when Penn State classes are in session and are available on major platforms. 

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State Schreyer Honors College

    • Arts
    • 4.6 • 9 Ratings

Are you a Schreyer Scholar looking to connect with Scholar Alumni for career and life advice? Or perhaps you are a recent graduate looking to take the next step in your career, or are a prospective Scholar looking to learn more about the College. When our Scholars submit their honors thesis, they ring a ceremonial gong to mark the completion of their honors experience. #FollowingTheGong is a show that features conversations with Scholar Alumni and friends with stories and advice on how to maximize your Scholar experience, prepare for your career and further education, and make new connections with a strong network of Scholar Alumni that blazed the trail before you. Episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays when Penn State classes are in session and are available on major platforms. 

    FTG 0063 – From Technical Expert to Executive Leader with Cybersecurity Executive and CEO Atif Ghauri ’00

    FTG 0063 – From Technical Expert to Executive Leader with Cybersecurity Executive and CEO Atif Ghauri ’00

    Overview:
     
    Cybersecurity executive Atif Ghauri ’00 Business joins Following the Gong to discuss his career and advice for Scholars interested in both technical and relational leadership roles. Atif currently serves as the President of Ultraviolet Cyber after a career of increasingly senior roles in cyber security. Atif discusses his experience reluctantly coming to Penn State and then having an incredible experience in the Smeal College of Business and the Schreyer Honors College. Atif also shares insights from his career at companies like Comcast and the Herjeavec Group – led by Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec and taking control of your life and career. An overarching theme is making the shift from technical roles to the executive leadership in a business. Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in roles in technology and/or business. Atif’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.
     
    Guest Bio:
     
    Atif Ghauri ’00 Bus is currently the President of UltraViolet Cyber. He is an established C-Level Executive with 20+ years of experience in Cybersecurity, serving roles as CTO, CPO, COO, and Managing Partner. He is an energetic leader, skilled team builder, strategic thinker, and adept negotiator possessing a rare combination of both high business acumen with deep technological expertise.  He is an industry recognized expert in cybersecurity, sought after for speaking engagements and regularly quoted in media. He is an adjunct professor teaching at the University of Michigan, Drexel, Yeshiva, Rutgers, and Wharton School. Atif holds a patent for security analytics algorithms on embedded consumer devices monitoring user anomalies.
     
    Prior to UltraViolet Cyber, Atif led Cyderes (formerly known as Herjavec Group) as COO. Atif was responsible for all go-to-market activities related to sales and product management. Reporting directly to CEO Robert Herjavec, he served multiple leadership roles in his tenure as CTO, CPO as well running revenue operations, marketing, human resources, M&A, legal, and product management. Prior to Cyderes, Atif was a Managing Partner at Mazars. He was the Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader, responsible for all aspects of the business from sales to service delivery.
     
    Atif has held leadership roles for both business and technology organizations at Comcast. He was head of Business Operations for Xfinity Home. He also served as Chief Product Security Officer for the technology engineering group, where he directed all security work streams to launch next generation X1 Platform, including invention and deployment of his patented fraud detection technology operational on millions of subscriber devices. Prior to Comcast, Atif was Director of Security at Unisys, where he launched a global security practice focused in Application Security. He started his career as a Managing Consultant at IBM Global Services advising and implementing security to Fortune 100 companies. Atif received a Masters in Technology Management from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and Schreyer Honors College.
     
    Episode Topics & Chapters:
     
    00:00       Introductions
    00:13       Choosing Penn State and the SHC
    02:50       Starting a Business as a Student
    05:09       Using Campus Leadership Roles in Your Career
    06:55       The Honors Thesis
    08:56  &

    • 59 min
    FTG 0062 – The Importance of Connections with Attorney Jack Yoskowitz ’89 and Law Student Henry Deteskey ’21

    FTG 0062 – The Importance of Connections with Attorney Jack Yoskowitz ’89 and Law Student Henry Deteskey ’21

    Overview:
    Attorney Jack Yoskowitz ’89 Lib and soon-to-be-attorney Henry Deteskey ’21 HHD join Following the Gong’s first ever vide episode to discuss legal careers and the power of leveraging resources, connections, and networks. Jack is a partner and attorney at Seward and Kissel in New York where he works on complex litigation primarily in the financial services sector. Jack is also a longtime volunteer with the Schreyer Honors College where he began to mentor Henry, who is, at the time of publishing, nearing the end of his law school experience at Fordham. Jack and Henry discuss their respective paths to Penn State as New Yorkers and first-generation students, their experiences in the College including their thesis experiences working with psychological testing and incarcerated individuals, respectively, and life in law school and in “big law.” Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in legal careers. Jack and Henry’s bios are available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.
    Guest Bios:
    Jack Yoskowitz ’89 Lib is a partner in Seward & Kissel’s Litigation Group where he specializes in complex commercial and corporate litigation and regulatory matters predominantly for financial services institutions and individuals. He graduated with a BS in Psychology with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1989 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1992.
    Henry Deteskey ’21 HHD is a third-year law student at Fordham University School of Law in New York City. Upon graduation in May 2023, Henry will be starting as a first-year associate at Seward & Kissel LLP. Henry graduated with a BS in Biobehavioral Health and obtained Honors in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 2021. During law school, Henry has worked as an intern at the Queens District Attorney's Office, a paralegal at Schilling Law LLC, and a summer associate at Seward & Kissel. Henry is happy to speak further about going to law school straight through undergrad and being a first-generation law student. Henry's interests include blockchain, artificial intelligence, and investment management. Please feel free to connect with him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-deteskey-8b654b19b/.
    Episode Topics & Chapters:
    00:00       Introduction
    00:20       What brought Jack and Henry to Penn State
    04:31       Jack's experiences as a Scholar in the 1980s
    07:22       Henry's experiences as a recent Scholar - like working with incarcerated individuals
    10:14       The Honors Thesis!
    18:37       Henry's experience as a Scholar in a fraternity
    20:23       All things law school - from deciding to go to succeeding through graduation
    23:22       The power of connections and utilizing resources, aka, how Jack and Henry met and what it's meant to both
    28:16       Advice for law students in their summer internships
    32:17       The differences between trial and non-trial work
    36:12       Working pro bono
    37:37       What a first-year associate can expect in their job after law school
    40:21       What law school is like in the 2020s
    41:56       Working in business law - without majoring in a business discipline
    45:30       Continuing educa

    • 1 hr 20 min
    FTG 0061 – Brewing Your Own Trail with Brewer and Engineer Katie Legenski ’16

    FTG 0061 – Brewing Your Own Trail with Brewer and Engineer Katie Legenski ’16

    Overview:
    Katie Legenski ’16 Eng welcomed Following the Gong to Antifragile Brewing in downtown State College where she serves as the head kombucha brewer for Moody Culture. Katie shares her experiences at Penn State Berks and in the College of Engineering, where she earned her bachelor of science in chemical engineering with honors after study abroad opportunities and a major setback on her thesis. Katie also shares her experiences deciding to pursue work in the pharmaceutical industry rather than a PhD, and her decision to uproot everything and hike the Appalachian Trail. She then explains all things kombucha, fermentation, and brewing, providing insights on this career path and the value of understanding various components of engineering and science in a field that marries her work experience and passion. Finally, Katie shares opportunities for community in State College as an alumna and powerful perspectives on finding the joy in your self-defined success. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those in STEM majors, those interested in brewing beverages like kombucha, those staying in State College after graduation, and any Scholar interested in hiking, rock climbing, or dancing. Katie’s full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics can be found in the show notes below.
    Guest Bio:
    Katie Legenski ’16 Eng is head kombucha brewer for Moody Culture in downtown State College, PA. The Moody Culture brewery is housed in the Antifragile Brewing Company taproom and brewery at 324 E Calder Way, State College. Brewing kombucha consists of choosing a brewing tea, inoculating with starter culture, maintaining the appropriate temperature for fermentation, flavoring with fruits or herbs, and carbonating the resulting beverage. Katie has been head brewer since March 2023 and has since introduced new flavors to Moody's line up including passionfruit, black currant, and the first decaf flavor: orange blossom tulsi. She's also quite proud of developing hard kombucha featuring alcohol fermented with the kombucha instead of spiking non-alcoholic kombucha with seltzer or grain ethanol which is industry standard. She earned a BS in chemical engineering in 2016 from Penn State. Prior to brewing for Moody Culture, she completed a southbound thru hike of the Appalachian Trail and worked in early drug discovery at both Glaxo Smith Kline and Johnson and Johnson. She's been fostering a love for fermentation for over a decade and is always happy to discuss all things fermentable. Other interests include social dance, rock climbing, fiber arts, and piano. She can be reached on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @kitkatlegenski.
    Episode Topics:

    What exactly kombucha is
    The benefits of starting at a smaller Penn State campus, and overcoming challenges of adjusting to University Park
    Studying abroad as an engineering student
    Overcoming thesis research areas deep in the process because of technical limitations
    How brewing is microbiology is brewing
    Shifting from an academia track to a workforce track in your final year of undergrad, and the importance of knowing your “why”
    Perspectives on working in pharmaceutical research and production
    Deciding to “carpe the diem” by making the decision to hike the Appalachian Trail
    Thoughts on walking the entire Appalachian Trail – and then adjusting back afterward
    Getting into homebrewing and judging
    The roles and responsibilities of a kombucha brewer at a small craft brewery
    The kombucha brewing process, including flavor development, suppliers, and marketing
    Developing alcoholic kombucha
    The evolution of the brewing community
    A crash course for those interested in home brewing n how to get start
    Getting involved in the Happy Valley commun

    • 1 hr 2 min
    FTG 0060 – From Shenango to the C-Suite with Chief Legal Officer Bob Perna ’85

    FTG 0060 – From Shenango to the C-Suite with Chief Legal Officer Bob Perna ’85

    Overview:
    Bob Perna ’85 Bus serves as the senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at Knowles Corporation in Itasca, Illinois. Bob joined Following the Gong to share his experiences as an early University Scholar at both Penn State Shenango and University Park. Bob provided insights on success in law school as a business student and the work of in-house attorneys in a business setting. He also shared perspectives on working for a primarily business to business, or b2b, company as a major supplier for household name products. This episode will be helpful for any Scholar, and particularly those starting at a smaller Commonwealth Campus, majoring in business disciplines, and those looking into legal or business careers, particularly in supply focused or leadership roles. Bob’s full bio and a detailed breakdown of the topics discussed are available in the show notes below.
    Guest Bio:
    Robert (Bob) Perna ’85 Bus is senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at Knowles Corporation in Itasca, Illinois, where he manages the company’s global legal affairs, as well as all corporate governance and compliance functions at Knowles. He advises and counsels the Board of Directors and the leadership team on a broad range of legal, business, governance, compliance, policy and strategic matters, including key operational initiatives, risk assessment and mitigation, major transactions, litigation and corporate citizenship. Before joining Knowles, Bob served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Rockwell Collins from 2014 to 2018, where he oversaw global legal support, import/export compliance, and the office of ethics and business conduct for the $8 billion aerospace and defense company. As a member of the senior leadership team, he also provided counsel to the Board of Directors on securities law, corporate governance and other legal matters. Previously, Bob was vice president, general counsel and secretary at A.M. Castle & Co., a specialty metals and plastics distributor and value-added processor. He also held various in-house counsel positions of increasing responsibility at CNH Global, Navistar International and GE Capital Rail Services. Bob started his law practice as an associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson in Washington, D.C., providing legal advice to private and publicly held corporations and financial institutions. A Pennsylvania native, Bob earned his bachelor of science in finance with High Distinction and with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and his JD degree with High Honors from George Washington University.
    Episode Topics:

    Choosing to start the Penn State experience close to home at Penn State Shenango
    The value of the honors thesis for a career in law no matter the topic
    Deciding on a career in law as a business student
    Adjusting to a major metro area coming from small town PA
    Strategies for succeeding in law school including study habits and preprofessional opportunities
    Law firm work vs. in-house work
    How chief legal officers fit into the c-suite and business decisions and business ethics
    The importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace and world of business
    Working for a major B2B – business to business – company
    Living in the Chicago area
    General tips for career success in law, business, and any other discipline or industry

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    Schreyer Honors College Links: 
    Website 
    Inst

    • 51 min
    FTG 0059 – Leadership Development and Early Career Success with Consultant Ken Graham ’67, ’68g, ’79g

    FTG 0059 – Leadership Development and Early Career Success with Consultant Ken Graham ’67, ’68g, ’79g

    Overview:
    Leadership consultant Ken Graham ’67 joined Following the Gong and Schreyer Student Council for a special live session to discuss leadership development success for Scholars in their leadership roles and early careers. Ken retired from Royal Dutch Shell after a lengthy career in academia and industry focused on the study of leadership and developing leaders. This episode is a must-listen for any Scholar to set themselves up for success while on campus and as they transition to the world of work. Ken’s bio and a more detailed breakdown of the topics discussed and insights shared are available below.
    Guest Bio:
    Ken Graham ’67, ’68g, ’69g Bus is a consultant in strategy, leadership, and change to large and mid-sized employers, primarily in software, energy, manufacturing, and aviation. Ken serves Penn State students, staff, and faculty through 7-10 day visits to campus and on Zoom, meeting with the Schreyer Honors College, the Presidential Leadership Academy, Nittany Lion Consulting Group (Smeal), Global Engineering Fellows classes, and Labor and Human Resources classes. He also serves as a board member for Penn State’s Presidential Leadership Academy, a board member on the Penn State Global Advisory Board, and as a board member for The Graduate School Alumni Society. He retired as Global Head of Leader Development for Royal Dutch Shell, where he worked to enhance leader performance for both expatriate leaders and national staff in leadership positions.
    Ken worked on the payroll of three large corporations—Shell, Allstate, and Beatrice – and three large universities—Penn State, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He serves on corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors. He led or leads five “bottom line” businesses, most of which are/were profitable! Ken taught in what is now Smeal College of Business and led Penn State Executive Programs before moving to industry. Ken earned his bachelor of science in management with honors from the College of Business (1967, prior to the establishment of the University Scholars Program), master of science in business logistics (1968), and doctor of philosophy in business administration (1979) from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. He is married to a fellow Penn Stater and resides in Illinois, where he is a licensed pilot.
     Episode Topics:

    Emergency briefings and safety prep as leaders
    Ken’s backstory as an honors student at Penn Stater before the University Scholars Program
    Taking an academic route as a business major
    The shift from management to leadership over the past century
    Highlighting student leadership experiences in the job search and interviews
    Five dimensions of finding coaches and mentors
    Insights on consulting
    Addressing ethical challenges and toxic cultures
    Developing horizontal influence
    The three key skills for leadership
    Steps for early career/internship success
    Disciplining your passions

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    Schreyer Honors College Links: 
    Website 
    Instagram 
    LinkedIn 
    Upcoming Events 
    Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 
    Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 
    Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

    • 58 min
    FTG 0058 – Rocking the Stage and Studio with My Hero Zero Frontman, Musician, Singer/Songwriter, and Producer Jason Olcese ’06

    FTG 0058 – Rocking the Stage and Studio with My Hero Zero Frontman, Musician, Singer/Songwriter, and Producer Jason Olcese ’06

    Overview:
    Jason Olcese ’06 Lib is the band leader of My Hero Zero in State College, PA, where he performs as a musician, writes and records in the studio, and manages equipment and practice space to keep everything running smoothly. Before joining the band in 2010, Jason performed as a solo musician under the artist name "Jason O". He earned his BS in Psychology with Honors in Music from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2006. Jason joined the show – with a live studio audience in the Grandfather Clock Lounge – to share his story. Jason is a lifelong musician and learner, providing insights on crafting your skills in college, including through a gap semester and studying abroad. He also shares his perspectives on being a solo entertainer, band member, songwriter, producer, and coach through his other project, Happy Valley Song Lab. The episode includes two live performances, including one song from this thesis project. Any current Scholar or Scholar Alum can get something out of this episode, and especially if they are not sure of what path take or major to choose, are interested in a career in entertainment, writing their own music, or simply hearing about playing at THON or which is Jason’s favorite Taylor Swift era. Jason’s links and a more detailed breakdown of the topics discussed are available below.
    Guest Bio: 
    Jason Olcese ’06 Lib is the band leader of My Hero Zero in State College, Pennsylvania where he performs as a musician, writes and records in the studio, and manages equipment and practice space to keep everything running smoothly. Before joining the band in 2010, Jason performed as a solo musician under the artist name "Jason O". He earned a BS in Psychology with Honors in Music from Penn State in 2006. Please feel free to connect with them via Instagram @myherozerolive or through the bands website: www.myherozero.com. If interested in connecting in a studio setting please reach out to them via www.happyvalleysonglab.com
     Episode Topics:

    Playing music from a young age and choosing Penn State for the large student body size but the small school feel and opportunities of the Honors College
    Trying out several majors – and even taking time off – before settling on the right one
    Choosing psychology over music to fulfil a goal of being a musician and songwriter
    Leveraging courses like American History and Math 140/141 to influence songwriting and music
    Finding unique ways to practice and hone your skills as a musician
    Producing a research informed album as part of the honors thesis
    Musical interlude #1
    Starting full time work during your last year of college and breaking into the music industry
    Life on the road as a touring musical act
    Learning the business side of being a band
    Approaching different audiences like a downtown State College bar or THON
    Realities and myths of being a touring band member, including the high points and sacrifices to achieve artistic and commercial success
    The importance of balance and knowing your why/having a purpose
    Balancing a dual career between being in a band and being a solo performer
    Diversifying through producing and coaching at the Happy Valley Song Lab
    Seeking out sponsor

    • 1 hr 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

ListeningPower ,

Great host!

Host Sean Goheen does a great job diving deeply into a host of diverse subjects within thr framework of the Schreyer experience and how it translates into life experiences

schreyer2 ,

SHC continues misplacing their resources

SHC’s latest attempt at promoting their poster children to make up for their lack of support for historically excluded students.

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