What does it really mean to build a career with purpose, and can you do it without sacrificing financial stability?

In this episode of Inspiring Entrepreneurs, we're unpacking how to find work that aligns with your values while still paying the bills. Because pursuing a meaningful career is not about choosing passion over practicality, but about aligning what matters to you with where you can create value, and who you build with along the way.

By the end of this conversation, you'll have heard:

· how to connect your personal values to tangible opportunities

· why job titles matter less than the impact you create, and

· how thinking differently about work can open up more fulfilling and sustainable career paths.

And we'll have challenged the idea that purpose is something you “find”. Instead, it’s something you actively build through contribution and action.

Joining us are three guests who have each shaped careers around impact in very different ways.

Genna Masterton, founder of Kinoro, shares her journey from primary school teaching into entrepreneurship, creating technology that empowers learners to own their data.

Sarah Deas, former Chief Executive of Cooperative Development Scotland and co-founder of Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland, brings insight into building businesses that deliver both economic and social value.

And Scott Kennedy, co-founder of Revive Eco, discusses turning environmental challenges into high-impact business opportunities.

Whether you're just starting out or rethinking your direction, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to build a career that works for both your values and your reality.

Resources to help you

If you’re a student at Strathclyde, the University Careers Service offers a great range of resources that can help you to find the career path that’s right for you.

You can

book an appointment to discuss you career path with a careers consultant: https://www.strath.ac.uk/professionalservices/careers/appointments/

reflect on who you are and what you want out of work using this assessment tool: https://strathclyde.careercentre.me/resources/careerassessments/

explore your career options using the Intelligent Careers Quiz: https://strathclyde.careercentre.me/intelligentcareerquiz

Meet employers in person or online at one of our events: https://careerhub.strath.ac.uk/students/events

And follow Strathclyde Inspire on YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay informed about ways to develop your entrepreneurial mindset and skills.

Your first job after graduating can feel like it sets the course for your entire future, but what if it doesn’t have to?

In this episode of Inspiring Entrepreneurs, we unpack the pressure surrounding that first career step and why your first role is not a verdict on your future. From navigating unexpected career paths to figuring out whether a job is truly right for you, we explore how early career decisions can be opportunities for growth rather than defining moments. We discuss how to choose your first job strategically, how to recognise when it’s time to pivot, and why side hustles, experimentation, and risk-taking can play an important role in shaping your career.

If your first role after graduating doesn’t look like what you imagined, you’re not alone, and it might actually be a valuable stepping stone. We’re joined by Wes Beard, Managing Director and Co-founder of Konversable, and Camrie Hole, Careers Consultant at the University of Strathclyde. Together they share practical advice, personal insights, and the lessons they wish they had known earlier in their own careers. Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or considering a career change, this episode will help you rethink how much weight you place on that first job, and how to approach your career with more confidence and flexibility.

If you’re a Strathclyde student or graduate, a great place to start is the university's Careers Service website, where you can find an interactive online course, Choosing My Career. This can help you make it a conscious and thoughtful decision, giving you the best chance of choosing a career path that suits your personality, skills and strengths.

https://www.strath.ac.uk/professionalservices/careers/students/choosingacareer/

You can also explore your career options and see where your degree could take you using the Prospects website.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree

How to use LinkedIn to go from passive, forgettable, or invisible to credible, visible, and in-demand.

If you have a LinkedIn profile…but haven’t posted anything in months or just can’t figure out how spending time on there is going to help you now or in the longer term, this episode is for you.

If LinkedIn feels awkward, fake, intimidating, or like a place you don’t belong yet, you are not alone.

But here’s the shift we’re making with this episode:

· LinkedIn is not about self-promotion.

· It’s about communication and value creation.

It’s about learning how to express what you’re learning, what you care about, and what problems you can help solve.

We're joined by Mercy Abel, multi award-winning marketer, speaker, early careers and intergenerational team specialist, and Nick Murray, start-up ecosystem builder, Director of the Tectonic Night Summit, and consultant for techstars.

Together, they break down practical ways to strengthen your profile, increase visibility, showcase your skills, and build meaningful connections that open doors. This isn’t about pretending to be impressive or crafting a highlight reel. It’s about learning to communicate clearly, share what you’re learning, and use LinkedIn as an entrepreneurial tool to build confidence and create opportunities.

Whether you’re still studying, recently graduated, or figuring out your next step, this episode will help you utilise LinkedIn to progress your career.

And if you’re a Strathclyde student who wants to put what you learn in this episode into practice, there’s great support available for you via the Strathclyde Careers Service.

You can:

· make a 15-minute appointment to speak to a Careers Consultant in which they can give advice on your LinkedIn profile: https://www.strath.ac.uk/professionalservices/careers/appointments/

· explore the Getting started in LinkedIn course: https://strathclyde.careercentre.me/u/flvyzen3 · and read this article about improving your LinkedIn profile: Improve your LinkedIn Profile - jobs.ac.uk

Your degree isn’t a map - it’s a launchpad!

In this episode of Inspiring Entrepreneurs, we’re challenging one of the biggest myths students still believe, that your degree dictates your destiny.

We’re joined by Kayla Megan Burns, a Biomedical Science graduate turned tech founder, writer, and disability advocate, and Dr Marc Reid, chemist, author, and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. Their stories show how curiosity, creativity, and courage can turn any degree into a foundation for something unexpected.

Together, they explore:
How degrees open more doors than you think
The surprising turns their careers have taken
Managing failure, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome
Combining disciplines and juggling multiple interests
Advice they’d give to their undergraduate selves

Whether you’re still studying, recently graduated, or figuring out your next step, this episode will help you see your degree and your potential in a whole new way.

This week on Inspiring Entrepreneurs, we explore why you don’t need to wait for the “perfect moment” to start a side hustle - or anything else! We spoke with Paul Wilson, founder of Consultico, and Darren Stewart from the Strathclyde Inspire Start-Up Team about why confidence isn’t something you gain before you begin, it’s something you build through action.

Together, we break down the myth that students need to wait until graduation or have everything figured out before trying something new. We discuss how clarity often comes after you start, why small steps can build real confidence, and how early side hustles can become powerful learning tools. Paul and Darren share honest reflections on taking action, embracing uncertainty, and moving forward even when things don’t feel perfect yet.

Whether you're thinking about launching a side hustle, exploring new ideas alongside your studies, or simply looking for the confidence to take your next step, this episode will encourage you to rethink what it really means to start, grow, and move forward.

This week on Inspiring Entrepreneurs, we explore why you don’t need all the answers to get started.

We spoke with Johnny Lindsey and Dana Schwendtner, chapter leads of Fun Nights Glasgow - a movement where entrepreneurs publicly share their biggest mistakes. Together, we explore what failure really looks like, why confidence is often misunderstood, and how comparing yourself to others can keep you feeling stuck before you’ve even begun.

You’ll hear honest insights on:

Why you don’t need to have it all figured out

How sharing mistakes builds real entrepreneurial confidence

The power of starting before you feel ready

Practical ways to stop comparison culture from holding you back

Whether you're thinking about launching an idea, navigating university life, or looking for the courage to take your next step, this episode will help you rethink what it means to grow, fail, and move forward.

The graduate job market has never been tougher. Fewer openings, longer hiring processes, and rising competition. So what really makes a candidate stand out?

In this episode of Inspiring Entrepreneurs, we spoke with Adam Gordon, Founder of Poetry, and Vickie McArthur, Early Careers Partner at Insights, to uncover what employers truly value in today’s graduates. Together, they unpack the realities of recruitment and share practical advice you can put into action right now.

Learn how to craft a standout CV and introduction that grabs attention, balance soft and technical skills effectively, and build resilience through rejection and uncertainty. You’ll also hear how to show your value even without years of experience, and what “future-ready” really means to employers in 2025 and beyond.

Whether you’re preparing for your first graduate role or rethinking your career direction, this episode offers insider clarity, expert insight, and the confidence to move forward.

What do employers really look for in graduates, and how can you develop the skills to stand out in a challenging job market?

In this live episode of Inspiring Entrepreneurs, recorded at the University of Strathclyde, our expert panel explores the power of entrepreneurial thinking, employability, and the mindsets that drive success.

🎓 Discover how to:

- Build confidence and resilience in your career journey

- Showcase collaboration, adaptability, and initiative to employers

- Turn your university experience into real-world opportunities

- Make the most of Strathclyde Inspire’s support to develop future-ready skills

💬 Featuring:

- Camrie Hole – Careers Coach, University of Strathclyde

- Thomas Devaney – Entrepreneurship & Employability Lead, University of Strathclyde

- Dr. Lucrezia Casulli – Senior Lecturer & Co-author of Entrepreneurial Thinking: Mindset in Action

- Galina Sudiiarova – Former Inspire Ambassador & Customer Relations Manager, Entropyst

Whether you’re applying for graduate roles, exploring entrepreneurship, or still figuring out your next step, this episode will help you build the skills, confidence, and networks you need to succeed.