On the verge of a career pivot into higher education, Marianne Matarese chose to remain in the corporate world, continuing to grow and evolve her professional journey. Now a Lead, Career Development at Indeed, she shares how chance events have shaped her path from recruitment to onboarding, talent development, and employee experience. Marianne dives into the pivotal role mentorship has played in her career growth and opens up about navigating professional ambitions while embracing life as a new mom. She reflects on the importance of flexibility, self-care, and setting small, achievable goals during major life transitions, including her creation of a supportive community for career development professionals. Tune in for an authentic conversation about embracing unexpected turns, building meaningful connections, and redefining career success on your own terms.

👉Connect with Marianne Matarese:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/greenwithpurpose

https://topmate.io/greenwpurpose

https://bio.site/greenwithpurpose

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

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As a former transfer student from Rio Hondo College to Portland State University, Jennifer Reyna's growth mindset opened the door to unexpected and rewarding opportunities. From starting her career in hospitality and banking to breaking into SaaS (Software as a Service) at Squarespace, Jennifer’s journey has been shaped by intentional curiosity and chance events. Now a Program Manager at Medallia, she shares the key lessons that shaped her career, including how earning a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification accelerated her growth and why building strong relationships is essential for success. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on taking strategic risks and embracing change to find the right path for you!

👉Connect with Jennifer Reyna:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferreyna

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

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From guiding whitewater rafting trips to leading initiatives in environmental education, nonprofit fundraising, and corporate social impact at Autodesk and LinkedIn, Seth Chanin’s career path is a powerful example of planned happenstance in action. Now a real estate agent with Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty, Seth candidly shares how he overcame self-judgment during his career transition and redefined his sense of purpose beyond the traditional 9-to-5. He offers valuable insights on building authentic relationships, fostering community, and finding both flexibility and fulfillment in real estate. Tune in as we explore the intersection of business and impact, and the many ways purpose can evolve throughout your career.

👉Connect with Seth Chanin:

https://sethchanin.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-chanin/

https://www.instagram.com/seth_chanin/

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay

Seeking a more sustainable career, Rubi Martinez embraced planned happenstance by taking a bold leap into tech. Her journey—from working with children with autism to completing an intensive coding bootcamp—led her to Google, where she now drives impactful change as a Program Manager, leading end-to-end product launches. As a first-generation Mexican American woman in tech, Rubi shares her experiences navigating the industry, organizing DEI initiatives like an International Women’s Day conference, and overcoming challenges along the way. Tune in as we explore resilience, career pivots, and the power of community in shaping a fulfilling tech career.

👉Connect with Rubi Martinez:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzirubimartinez/

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

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From interning at the Happiest Place on Earth to making his mark in the video game industry, Derek Sorenson, Service Reliability Engineer at Sony PlayStation, knows firsthand how planned happenstance can shape a career. He shares the pivotal moments that opened doors, his experience with layoffs, the risks and rewards of working at a startup, and valuable insights on recognizing your own risk tolerance. Tune in for a candid conversation on the twists and turns of career decision-making and the unexpected opportunities along the way.

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

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From navigating burnout in higher education to balancing family responsibilities, Kristine Cody shares how unexpected moments of planned happenstance became pivotal in shaping her career in learning and talent development. Now a Staff Development Consultant at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Kristine discusses how fostering meaningful professional relationships has been key to her growth, and how her commitment to continuous learning drives her future goals. Tune in for practical strategies on finding your professional sweet spot and thriving in your career!

👉Connect with Kristine Cody:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-cody

📧Contact Us:

chancecareerstories@gmail.com

Music by penguinmusic - Uplifting Summer Electronica from Pixabay

For those in a position to help, please join us in donating to reputable organizations that are meeting the immediate and long term needs of those impacted by the LA wild fires.

Verified GoFundMe Fundraisers:

https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/california#/

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation:

https://supportlafd.org/

California Fire Foundation:

https://cpf.salsalabs.org/cff-donation/index.html

Y.M.C.A. of Metropolitan Los Angeles:

http://www.ymcala.org/community-response

Pasadena City College Community Relief Fund:

https://www.pasadena.edu/fireupdates/donate.php

Pasadena Humane Society:

https://give.pasadenahumane.org/give/654134/#!/donation/checkout

American Humane Society:

https://www.americanhumane.org/

Baby2Baby:

https://donate.baby2baby.org/give/648067/#!/donation/checkout

World Central Kitchen:

https://wck.org/relief/california-fires-jan25

LA Regional Food Bank:

https://www.lafoodbank.org/fire/

National Day Laborer Organizing Network/Pasadena Community Job Center:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lafires2025

Direct Relief:

https://www.directrelief.org/2025/01/as-southern-california-fires-rage-medical-aid-en-route/

Season Finale Alert! 🎉 Hosts Karissa Sorenson and Priscilla Vallejo wrap up the first season of Planned Happenstance with an exciting look back at their favorite moments. From insightful takeaways with industry professionals to behind-the-scenes, they share laughs, lessons learned, and what’s in store for Season 2 in 2025. Tune in for valuable career advice and a fun-filled conclusion to Season 1!

👉Connect with Priscilla: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillavallejo⁠

👉Connect with Karissa: www.linkedin.com/in/kcsorenson

📧Contact Us: chancecareerstories@gmail.com

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