Career Discovery Video Library

Check out DMACC's library of recorded professionals talking about their industry, careers, and career path. Explore various local careers through short 15 – 20 minute presentations. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or check back often as we will be adding new videos!

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Agriculture Technology - Climate FieldView

Duration: 20 minutes

Agricultural Technology Professional Andrew Knaack shares his career journey and why should you should explore a career in Ag Tech. Andrew explains how to prepare to be successful, and shares suggested areas of success.

Agricultural Sales - Wyffels Hybrids

Duration: 14 minutes

Presenter: Doug Pooch

Interested in an Ag Sales profession? Listen to Doug Pooch share a “big picture" look at working as a District Sales Manager at Wyffels Hybrids. Doug explains how to get the most out of your college experience, and discuss how you might fit in with the seed business.

Business Spotlight: AMVC (Audubon Manning Veterinary Clinic)

Duration: 30 minutes

Presenter: Alicia Humphrey, Public Relations Coordinator

Do you have an interest in working with animals? Watch AMVC as we connect live from inside of a sow farm where piglets are born. Alicia Humphrey talks about the tasks happening on the farm, how they care for animals and their exciting career opportunities. They have full-time and part-time positions available, as well as, hire students!

Business Spotlight: Marel

Duration: 23 minutes

Recruiter Mickey Miller talks about Iceland-based Marel, a global food-processing company.

Ask a Professional: Field Service Manager

Duration: 30 minutes

Jay Grobe talks about his duties as a field service manager for Marel.

Ask a Professional: Scientist

Duration: 42 minutes

What's it like being a scientist? Dr. Magan Lewis describes her job as an equipment and automated field sensing lead at Bayer.

Professional Skills Events

Career Fair 101- Career Fair Preparation Session

Duration: 36 minutes

Presenter: Devon Leslie, Title 1 Youth Career Planner & Business Workforce Services Lead through Children & Families of Iowa

Description: During this session, students will learn how to navigate a career fair. Topics will include: what to wear, what materials to bring, the types of questions to ask, and how to network with employers to learn more about current, or future job opportunities.

Personal Brand and Social Media

Duration: 27 minutes

We cover what personal branding is, why it's important, and best practices.

Arts, Humanities, Design, & Communications

Live Business Tour: Gretchen Bohling Designs, Fashion Designer

Duration: 32 minutes

The owner of Gretchen Bohling Designs gives a live tour of her design studio.

Ask a Professional: Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)

Duration: 33 minutes

Hear from the vice president of a commercial real estate company and an interior designer.

Ask a Professional: President of Meyocks (Advertising, Branding and Marketing Agency)

Duration: 29 minutes

Hear from the president of Meyocks on his journey starting and running his business.

Ask a Professional: Photographer

Duration: 33 minutes

Does taking pictures for a living sound nice? Hear what it's like.

Ask a Professional: Artistic Director, Des Moines Community Playhouse

Duration: 24 minutes

Katy Merriman talks about her creative career.

Ask a Professional: Artist

Duration: 33 minutes

Arist, advocate, and mentor Jill Young fell in love with art as a child, got her Bachelor's degree in fine arts, and talks about her current career as an artist as well as showing her work.

Business

Business Spotlight: Farm Bureau Financial

Duration: 30 minutes

Presenter: Sara Deich

A job in insurance? Yes please! Get to know Farm Bureau Financial Services by watching the Business Spotlight. Sara Deich, Human Resources Programs Coordinator discusses careers opportunities within the company, education required, job outlook and company culture. A virtual tour is included!

Ask a Professional: Actuary

Duration: 34 minutes

Presenter: Ryan Skotzke, Actuary

In this Ask a Professional session we learn what it takes to be an Actuary. Learn from Ryan Skotzke, a former intern turned full-time life actuary! Hear his story, how he got to where he is today, and the day-to-day of his career. Ryan also gives advice for young people interested in an actuarial career!

Ask a Professional: Business Entrepreneur, Real Deals- Ankeny

Duration: 32 minutes

Lindsey Foss shares what it's like owning a small business in the Des Moines area.

Ask a Professional: Sports Marketing, Iowa Wild

Duration: 28 minutes

Allie Brown, vice president of business operations, explains the duties of a sports marketer.

Education & Public Service

Law Enforcement Captain - Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement

Presenter: Captain Robert Johnson

Duration: 14 minutes

Captain Robert Johnson of Iowa Motor Enforcement shares the history Motor Vehicle Enforcement (MVE) and many tips for getting started on a career in law enforcement!

Women in Law Enforcement Webinar

Presenters: Female members of the Iowa State Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation teams
Duration: 1 hour and 32 minutes

Watch this important webinar if you're considering a future law enforcement position! Meet female members of the Iowa State Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation teams to see their in-depth presentations. *DMACC does not claim ownership of this content, but granted permission to share this video.

Firefighter/Paramedic - Ankeny Fire Department

Presenters: Karen Peters and Jeff Wells
Duration: 33 minutes
Description: Karen Peters and Jeff Wells, Ankeny Firefighters and Paramedics give an inside look into these rewarding professions. Hear about the day to day responsibilities of firefighters and Paramedics and come along on a virtual tour of the Ankeny Fire Department.

High School Principal & Instructor - Carroll High School

Presenters: Tammie McKenzie and Becky Boes
Duration: 31 minutes

Meet Tammie McKenzie, Principal at Carroll High School, and Becky Boes, Instructional Coach at Carroll High School. Hear about their educational backgrounds, their passion for the profession and advice to young people thinking about entering the educational field.

Story County Jail

Duration: 1 minute

Take a look at the jail ecosystem. All the deputies in this recruitment video are DMACC alumni, as is the deputy who put it together.

Ask a Professional: Court Reporter

Duration: 31 minutes

Tanner Kockler shares his journey in becoming a court reporter and what the job is like.

Ask a Professional: Funeral Director

Duration: 25 minutes

Laura Lundberg describes her duties at Iles Funeral Homes.

Ask a Professional: Funeral Director

Duration: 27 minutes

Hear from Tiffany Taylor, a DMACC alum, on her daily duties as a funeral director.

Engineering, Manufacturing, & Building Trades

Product Engineer - John Deere

Presenter: Nicholle Walter

Duration: 17 minutes

Nicholle Walter, a Project Engineer with John Deere shares insights into preparing for a career at John Deere and the variety professions. Nicholle will explain her career path, as well as advice for your future career!

Mechanical Engineer - John Deere

Presenter: Kody Sjoblom

Duration: 22 minutes

Mechanical Engineer Kody Sjoblom explains his loves and challenges of being a Mechanical Engineer. Kody shares innovative technologies of the future, and how to prepare for a career as an Engineer!

Estimator, Design and Construction Engineer & Project Manager – Story Construction

Presenters: Melinda Packebush, Shawn Corey, and Adam Papesh

Duration: 42 minutes

Interested in Construction Engineering? Listen to Melinda Packebush, Shawn Corey and Adam Papesh share the limitless opportunities that are available in this industry. They will explain the differences of their positions at Story Construction and how they work together. You'll get an inside look of their grading plans, and contours for new construction proposals!

VP of Business Development and GPS Manager – Elder Corporation

Presenters: Steve Moyna and Shawn Swygman

Duration: 16 minutes

Steve Moyna, VP of Business Development and Shawn Swygman, GPS Manager explain the impact of their careers with Elder Corporation. They describe the various directions this career can take you, and the many projects and various roles they engage in.

Business Spotlight: National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Greater Des Moines Chapter

Duration: 34 minutes

Presenters: Melinda Packebush, Kelli Paskert and Tammy Rico

Come learn from the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Greater Des Moines Chapter as they discuss the various career opportunities in construction. From design and engineer to estimating; from field to project management; from marketing to accounting; there is something for everyone in the construction industry!

Business Spotlight: The Baker Group

Duration: 33 minutes

Presenter: Dave Brown, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Come watch this virtual tour of The Baker Group, the Midwest's leading provider of critical building infrastructure systems. We learn about their expert solutions in the design, installation and servicing of HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical Systems, Sheet Metal, and Security Systems, just to name a few. All of these skilled trades are in high demand --- come learn about all the opportunities The Baker Group can provide!

Ask a Professional: Pre-Construction Careers

Duration: 31 minutes

Presenters: Melinda Packebush, Tammy Rico and Rebecca Buchmeier

Meet Melinda, Tammy and Rebecca to learn about careers within the Pre-Construction phase of the building process, which includes architects, engineers, and estimators. Each professional shares their education, background and job responsibilities!

Ask a Professional: Construction Operations and Project Managers

Duration: 35 minutes

Learn more about the construction field, specifically operations and project manager roles.

Ask a Professional: Construction Superintendents and Field Staff

Duration: 37 minutes

Learn more about the construction field, specifically the roles of superintendents and field staff.

Business Spotlight: Wolf Construction Services, Inc.

Duration: 29 minutes

Get to know Wolf Construction Services, Inc, which specializes in commercial wood framing, framing carpentry, wood trims, trim carpentry, and pitched roofing.

Ask a Professional: Willis Automotive

Duration: 33 minutes

Automotive Service Manager Darcy Hoch shares his journey to a career in the automotive industry.

Ask a Professional: Building University Series: Roofing Division

Duration: 26 minutes

Listen to multiple professionals in the roofing sector of construction trades.

Ask a Professional: Carpenter

Duration: 40 minutes

Hear from two carpenters on what the profession is like.

Business Spotlight: Daimler Truck North America

Duration: 30 minutes

Learn more about Daimler Truck North America LLC, an automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

Ask a Professional: Build University - Home Builders

Duration: 42 minutes

Listen to multiple home building professionals talk about their industry.

Health Sciences & Wellness

Veterinarian - Ankeny Veterinary Clinic

Presenter: Dr. Terry Riodan

Duration: 31 minutes

Dr. Terry Riodan, a Veterinarian at Ankeny Veterinary Clinic gives us knowledge and insight on what it is like being a Veterinarian. Dr. Riodan shares his career path, passions, and advice for future students interested in pursuing a career as a Veterinarian!

Careers in Healthcare at McFarland Clinic

Presenters: McFarland Clinic team of physicians, nurses, and professionals
Duration: 15 minutes

Looking for a career in healthcare? Listen to the McFarland clinic team share the variety of healthcare career opportunities here in Central Iowa!
*DMACC does not claim ownership of this content, but granted permission to share this video.

Business Spotlight: Unity Point Health

Duration: 32 minutes

Presenters: Jennifer Connor, Talent Management and Organizational Development Consultant and Natalie McNaught, Retention Specialist

Interested in a career in Healthcare? Join Jen and Natalie from UnityPoint Health- Des Moines as they discuss various career opportunities, education required and job outlook for this booming career field!

Ask a Professional: Respiratory Therapist and Child Life Specialist

Duration: 33 minutes

Presenters:

Curtis Long, Respiratory Therapist
Dena Vogel, Medical Technologist Coordinator
Angie Clark, Child Life Specialist

Learn from Healthcare professionals at UnityPoint Health- Des Moines, as they share all about their healthcare profession! They also share their education, background, a day in the life, and the rewards and challenges of their career in the medical field.

Ask a Professional: Respiratory Therapist

Duration: 32 minutes

Hear from a respiratory therapist, somebody who works to resolve problems and illnesses in the lungs.

Ask a Professional: Surgical Technologist

Duration: 30 minutes

Kendra Fulton describes what led her to choose this career, as well as what an average day looks like.

Ask a Professional: Physical Therapist

Duration: 31 minutes

Dr. Tim Mack followed in his father's footsteps and became a physical therapist. Hear all about his education and job.

Information Technology

Senior Information Security Consultant - Pratum

Presenter: Ben Hall

Duration: 44 minutes

Ben Hall, Senior Information Consultant at Pratum shares the importance of Information Security and describes different types of cyber security services. Ben highlights his favorite elements of his career, as well as how you can become prepared to enter in to this blooming industry!