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August 9, 2022 51 mins

I'm your host Gary Nowak and I've got an American hero for you, Mike Saum served our country in the US Navy for almost 30 years and never been stationed on a ship, I know right?

Background

Studied

  • Civil engineering at union college 

Navy career where he worked as:

  • Commanding officer
  • Engineering and Acquisition director
  • Public works office
  • Commander naval construction
  • Commanding officer 

Worked in some great places

  •  Pearl harbor
  • San Diego
  • Sicily / Spain 
  • Pentagon

VP of Business Development for AECOM

Adjunct professor at California Lutheran University

 

Highlights

  • Being a Boat boy and a Jack of all trades as a boy
  • Following Carl into engineering
  • Best laid plans Navy then a school teacher
  • Having an epiphany with a professor in college that changed his career trajectory
  • Seeking advice on the military career
  • First deployment to Spain the choosing Sicily
  • Getting advice to get broaden his experience to progress further in his career
  • Misconception of being in the navy
  • The 3 major things you can do in the Navy
  • The major inflection point in the military
  • Stepping to every job
  • Another imposter syndrome discussion 
  • Seeing your holes
  • Mentoring in the military
  • Great advice given most 
  • The job fills the void if you're not careful, learn yourself
  • What mike does well and how it will serve him in his next role
  • Moving 15 times in the military and how his kids adapted
  • Pearl Harbor stationing
  • DC and the pentagon
  • Getting help with career moves
  • Finally being a professor
  • Knowing yourself and filling up space


Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

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