ABOUT
LIVE A PURPOSEFUL LIFE
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver, Poet
THE ROLE OF EDUCATION
Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier; failing that, it does nothing.
- Isaac Asimov, Author
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe.”
- Albert Einstein, Scientist
I'M MARCUS CASTAIN
I have had an exciting career spanning many industries and leadership roles. Over the years, I learned that my own superpower was supporting others to achieve their own dreams as a colleague, a boss, a coach, and a father.
I love learning and higher education. But, universities, oddly, largely ignore one of the most important life skills: how to manage your career! Learn how to manage your career - it will be an investment that will pay dividends over your whole life!
I want you to set smart career goals (for you) and achieve them!
Join me on a journey of self awareness, goal-setting, learning, and interacting with new people as you build your own dream career!
MY STORY
My career has revolved around education and workforce development. I have always enjoyed helping people achieve their career goals.
I grew up in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. As a child I was into sports (especially soccer, track, and cycling), science fiction, and outdoor adventures. I still love all of them.
After graduating from college, my first job was as a research assistant at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank in Washington, DC. Later, I worked as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and was a product manger for two e-learning start-ups in Silicon Valley. I pivoted into education reform in my 30's where I served as a program officer at The Broad Foundation, which focused on urban education reform. I also worked for the Mayor of Los Angeles and created and ran a green jobs program for young people in LA that I launched out of LA City Hall. Later, I ran an organization focused on juvenile justice.
At 50 years old, I decided to pivot into higher education. I now teach career management at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and advise MBA students.
I have a BA from UC Berkeley where I studied political economy and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. I am a Marshall Memorial Fellow and a Pahara-Aspen Fellow.
Tell Me About Yourself
"Tell me about yourself" (TMAY for short) is how most interviews start and is absolutely critical to get right. You need to both describe yourself and explain your value proposition to the interviewer.
In this era of technology-mediated interviews, you need to learn to stare into the webcam camera and deliver your introduction.
Check out Marcus' video introduction in the form of a 2 minute TMAY.
Contact Information
Please reach out to Marcus directly for any questions, comments, or concerns: [email protected]
