Wish I Knew . . .

Mike Saum - 30 Year Navy Career / Civil Engineer / Adapting to new environments / KNOW yourself

Gary Nowak Season 2 Episode 63

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0:00 | 51:36

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!