The HDFS Careers Podcast

Erica Jordan
  • 4.8 (13)
  • CAREERS

Informal Conversations With Family Science Majors About Their Professional Journeys--Listen as Erica sits down with alumni from the field of Human Development and Family Science (also known as Human Development and Family Studies and many other names) to discuss their academic and career trajectories. Learn about college, graduate school, and many career options in this interdisciplinary field of study.

  1. 35: Veronica Discusses Her Experience in Graduate School and Working in Home Visitation with Families

    03/07/2025

    35: Veronica Discusses Her Experience in Graduate School and Working in Home Visitation with Families

    This episode is Part 2 of a 2-episode series featuring my interview with Veronica Winsch. In this episode, Veronica discusses her experience in graduate school following a career switch from fashion to human development and her professional experiences through Fall 2023, the time of this recording. Veronica earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) SUNY. She also earned a Master’s of Arts specializing in Human Development from the University of New Mexico’s College of Education. She has also earned the Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Certificate from Central New Mexico Community College and a Certificate in Nutritional Counseling from the Institute of Nutrition. She currently works as a Team Leader for Family Recruitment, Registration, and Referral for a non-profit home visiting organization in New Mexico. As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Veronica’s views are her own as a private citizen and do not reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers.

  2. 34: Veronica Discusses Her Career Transition from Fashion Design to Family Science as a First-Generation College Student

    03/06/2025

    34: Veronica Discusses Her Career Transition from Fashion Design to Family Science as a First-Generation College Student

    In this episode, Veronica Winsch discusses her background as a fine arts major and first-generation college student, her remarkable career in the fashion industry, and her decision to engage in a career shift that eventually led her to the field of human development. This episode is a bit of a prequel to “Episode 35: Veronica Discusses Working in the Field of Family Home Visitation.” As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Veronica’s views are her own as private citizens and do not reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers.

  3. 33: Laurel Discusses Working in Various Agencies Serving Children & Families

    03/05/2025

    33: Laurel Discusses Working in Various Agencies Serving Children & Families

    In this episode, I share my interview with Laurel Hernandez. Laurel earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston. She is also a Certified Educator of Infant Massage from Infant Massage USA. She also holds an Infant Mental Health-Endorsement (IMH-E) from First 3 Years Texas. In this episode, she discusses finding HDFS and her professional experiences working with families and children in various settings through 2023 (the time of this recording). As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Laurel's views are her own as private citizens and do not reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers.

  4. 32: Katherine Discusses Working as an Employment Specialist for Individuals with Disabilities

    03/04/2025

    32: Katherine Discusses Working as an Employment Specialist for Individuals with Disabilities

    In this episode, I share my interview with Katherine Fonovic. Katherine earned a bachelor’s degree Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Case Management and a minor in Criminal Justice from Kent State University. In this episode, she discusses finding HDFS and her professional experiences working as an employment specialist with individuals with disabilities through 2021 (the time of this recording). As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Katherine's views are her own as private citizens and do not reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers.

  5. 31: Emerson Discusses Practicing Clinical Social Work in a Hospital & in a Private Practice

    03/03/2025

    31: Emerson Discusses Practicing Clinical Social Work in a Hospital & in a Private Practice

    In this episode, I share my interview with Emerson Fetty, MSW, LISW. Emerson earned a bachelor’s degree Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Case Management and a minor in Gerontology from Kent State University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Youngstown State University. In this episode, he discusses finding HDFS and his professional experiences as a therapist and clinical social worker in various settings through 2021 (the time of this recording). As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Emerson’s views are his own as private citizens and do not reflect the views of his current, former, or future employers.

  6. 30: Dr. Blankemeyer & Dr. Walker Discuss Finding HDFS as First-Gen Students & Career Advice for Students

    10/20/2023

    30: Dr. Blankemeyer & Dr. Walker Discuss Finding HDFS as First-Gen Students & Career Advice for Students

    In this special edition of The HDFS Careers Podcast, I interviewed Dr. Maureen Blankemeyer and Dr. Kathleen Walker who are both faculty at Kent State University and who are both well-known researchers in the area of family sciences careers. Dr. Blankemeyer earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in family relations and child development and Ph.D. in human environmental sciences–both from Oklahoma State University. She is currently an associate professor at Kent State University. Dr. Walker earned Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Pre-Art Therapy from Kansas State University, A Master’s of Science in Art Therapy from Emporia State University, and a Ph.D. in Family Life Education and Consultation from Kansas State University. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences at Kent State University. During this interview, they discuss their own professional journeys and their experiences as first-generation college students. They also provide advice for students gleaned from working with many students over the course of their careers.

    1h 21m
  7. 29: Jasmine Discusses Working as a Grant Director for Upward Bound in Higher Education

    10/19/2023

    29: Jasmine Discusses Working as a Grant Director for Upward Bound in Higher Education

    In this episode, I share my interview with Jasmine Johnson. Jasmine earned a bachelor’s degree Human Development and Family Science from Kent State University and a master’s degree in Instructional Design from Western Governors University. She is currently working as a Grant Director for Upward Bound at Miami Dade College Homestead. In this episode, she discusses finding HDFS and her professional experiences to date. As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Jasmine’s views are her own as private citizens and do not reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers.

    1h 6m

  8. 06/16/2023

    28: Anacleta (Annie) Discusses Working in Early Childhood Mental Health

    This episode features Anacleta C. Schmidt (also known as Annie). Annie earned a bachelor's degree in Child Development from San Diego State University. She also earned a master's degree in Early Childhood Mental Health and a Graduate Certificate as an Early Childhood Socio-Emotional Behavior Regulation Intervention Specialist (EC-SEBRIS) from San Diego State University. During this interview, she discusses her work as a Mental Health Program Specialist for Head Start with a nonprofit organization in San Diego, California and her professional experiences to date. As is true for all interviewees on this podcast, Annie's views are her own as a private citizen and do not reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers. You can subscribe and listen at... Spotify: https://lnkd.in/emk-PJFu Amazon Music: https://lnkd.in/er38eGPi Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ez8dHat Google Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e_mtYuZN

    1h 22m
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4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Informal Conversations With Family Science Majors About Their Professional Journeys--Listen as Erica sits down with alumni from the field of Human Development and Family Science (also known as Human Development and Family Studies and many other names) to discuss their academic and career trajectories. Learn about college, graduate school, and many career options in this interdisciplinary field of study.

Information

  • Creator
    Erica Jordan
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The HDFS Careers Podcast
  • Show Website
    The HDFS Careers Podcast