Improve Audience Engagement Without Slides with Allie Remm and Jody Burum

In this episode Allie Remm and Jody Burum discuss how you can transform your classroom and workshop presentations by moving away from traditional PowerPoint slides. Jody, with 25 years in career services, explains the disconnect she observed with traditional PowerPoint presentations and her transition to a more engaging method based on brain-based counseling insights. This approach involves interactive handouts and activities that prioritize student engagement and memory retention. Both Allie and Jody share their successes and challenges in implementing this method, offering practical advice and encouraging others to experiment with this student-centered approach.

Allie Remm works in Career and Employment Services at Central Community College and is a NCDA Certified Career Services Provider. With five years of experience in higher education, she supports students in becoming confident, capable professionals. Her favorite part of working in Career Services is working with a wide range of students and local employers. Holding a master’s degree in English, Allie’s humanities background informed her roundtable presentations on transferable skills for humanities majors at both the 2025 Sigma Tau Delta Convention and the 2025 NCDA Global Conference. She is also the recipient of the New Professional at a Two-Year College Award from ACPA: Commission for Two-Year Colleges.

Jody Burum brings over 20 years of experience in Student Affairs, providing direct career counseling and leading campus-wide advising initiatives. As a Senior Career Counselor, she co-manages Fresno State’s Career Everywhere program, promoting inclusive career development through a network of Career Champions. Jody also serves as the liaison for undeclared and major-transitioning students, collaborating with academic counselors to guide career exploration. She supervises Career Coaches and Peer Mentors, building a strong student support team. A Certified Career Services Provider, Global Career Development Facilitator, and Strong Interest Inventory Practitioner, Jody empowers students to make informed, lifelong career decisions and succeed academically and professionally.

Resources

Click to open and download the handouts discussed in this episode.

• Career Discussion - Template
• Career Discussion - Resume
• Career Discussion - Interview