VTS Career Compass 2025

Career Compass isn’t just about what you want to be, it’s about who you want to become. That’s the million-dollar question. When you're navigating college, careers, and everything in between, it’s tough to know where to begin. From March 23 to April 2, 2025, VT Seva hosted our first-ever Career Compass series, a virtual week of real conversations with six inspiring professionals across tech, finance, healthcare, and government. Over 500 curious students showed up, Zoom links ready, to ask the big questions: What’s it really like to work at Google? Do investment bankers actually sleep? Is AI taking over the world, or just our spreadsheets? These weren’t just slides and job titles, they were stories. Stories about figuring things out, taking risks, changing paths, and staying curious. Whether it was hearing how a YouTube content moderator became a tech lead at Google or how a philosophy major landed on Wall Street, every session reminded us: there’s no one “right” path, just your path.

The Career Compass series was designed to empower VT Seva’s youth volunteers by exposing them to real-world career journeys and providing direct access to professionals across diverse fields. As these students start making critical decisions about their futures, hearing directly from accomplished professionals across a variety of fields gives them a chance to ask questions and fully understand the choices ahead of them. More than just a webinar, Career Compass gave our attendees the chance to gain mentorship-level advice and understand the day-to-day realities of different careers.

Visit vtsworld.org/vtscc25 to learn all about our Career Compass series!

Mark Nehmer, Deputy Chief Data and AI Officer at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

March 26th, 7:00 PM ET

Our series kicked off with an incredible session from Mark Nehmer, the Deputy Chief Data and AI Officer at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, an agency of the Department of Defense. He walked us through DCSA’s structure and mission, protecting America’s trusted workforce, and discussed how AI and automation are transforming security clearance and background investigations. Mark shared the agency’s software engineering career paths, emphasized learning languages like Python and C++, and spoke candidly about AI’s current capabilities, including its limits and potential for bias. He also reflected on his own journey, encouraging students to pursue careers that align with their passions and values.

Sam Bloch, Program Manager at Google

March 27th, 6:00 PM ET

Our next session featured Sam Bloch, a Program Manager at Google, who gave attendees an inside look at his unique career path - from starting as a YouTube content moderator to now leading child safety quality programs at Google. Sam emphasized the importance of communication, empathy, and adaptability when working on global teams and handling sensitive content. He also shared practical advice on breaking into tech, recommending programs like Google’s UX Certificate and encouraging students to start personal web design projects to build real-world skills. His story served as an inspiring reminder that curiosity, persistence, and people skills can shape a successful tech career.

Tom Maslyk, Technical Program Manager at Ford

March 29th, 3:00 PM ET

Up next, we heard from Tom Maslyk, an IT executive at Ford Motor Company with over 40 years of experience across Ford, Accenture, and IBM. Tom spoke about the importance of continuous learning in tech, encouraging students to stay adaptable and build both technical and soft skills. He shared practical insights on understanding business requirements, the role of AI in boosting developer productivity, and using tools like job shadowing and skills assessments to guide career planning. His session offered a grounded, real-world perspective on growing a meaningful career in IT.

Dr. Aparna Tamirisa, Internal Medicine Physician at Slim Healthcare Associates

March 29th, 5:00 PM ET

We wrapped up our opening weekend with an informative session featuring Dr. Aparna Tamirisa, an Internal Medicine physician at Slim Healthcare Associates. Dr. Tamirisa explained the distinctions between internal and family medicine, outlined common conditions treated by internists, and shared the diverse career paths available within the field. She emphasized the importance of compassion, continuous learning, and scientific curiosity in medicine, while also offering guidance on finding shadowing opportunities, preparing for pre-med studies, and exploring whether medicine is the right fit. Her candid insights gave students a clear, grounded view of the realities of a healthcare career.

Akshath Mahajan, Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley

April 1st, 7:00 PM ET

We started the new month with a relatable and insightful chat featuring Akshath Mahajan, an incoming Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley. Akshath, a Stanford graduate in Computer Science and Philosophy, walked us through his journey from exploring interdisciplinary studies to breaking into the world of finance. He offered practical advice on choosing a major, managing college life, and preparing for competitive internships. Akshath also demystified investment banking, shared his summer analyst experience, and discussed the growing role of technology, highlighting how tools like Python and automation are reshaping the finance industry.

Mike Prokic, Vice President and Chief IT Strategy Officer at Trinity Health

April 2nd, 5:00 PM ET

The Career Compass series finished strong with an electric session led by Mike Prokic, Vice President and Chief IT Strategy Officer at Trinity Health, the largest healthcare system on the East Coast. Mike offered students a behind-the-scenes look at healthcare IT, discussing real-world challenges like cybersecurity threats and rising software costs. He emphasized flexibility, the growing role of AI in medical workflows, and the importance of networking, mentorship, and early internships. Drawing from his own journey, Mike encouraged students to explore broadly, manage their time well, and approach career decisions with both curiosity and intention.