Video: Purposeful Work Unplugged Events

Purposeful Work Unplugged is a series of dynamic Q&A conversations about career trajectories and the traits that support meaningful work.

Below are full-length videos and video highlights.

President Clayton Spencer

President Clayton Spencer was interviewed by Rebecca Fraser-Thill, director of program design for the Purposeful Work initiative, on Oct. 22, 2014.

View the complete event here or view a selection of clips below.

“Purposeful Work…will touch each student’s experience at Bates every step of the way: socially, personally and intellectually.” — President Clayton Spencer, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Oct. 22, 2014

“Lives and career paths only look linear in retrospect. Let me give you a great example.” — President Clayton Spencer, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Oct. 22, 2014

As far as I’m concerned, no experience is wasted, no work is wasted.” — President Clayton Spencer, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Oct. 22, 2014

“Guess what? I like to look into the future. I like to build.” — President Clayton Spencer, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Oct. 22, 2014

Jean Thompson ’82 of Seattle Chocolates and Steve Fuller ’82 of L.L.Bean

Jean Thompson ’82, Seattle Chocolates owner and CEO, interviewed by Steve Fuller ’82, chief marketing officer for L.L.Bean on Nov. 10.

View the complete event here, or view a selection of clips below.

“Entrepreneurs need to love what they do.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“You need to be a self-starter at a small company. Tell me what’s on your mind.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“I don’t look back with regret. But I would have lightened up on myself.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“If you don’t know that it’s always been done one way, you can come up with a better idea.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“For me, working for other companies worked really well because I learned about process.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“If you don’t enjoy it, get the heck out” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“Purposeful Work for me is, Am I learning? Am I growing?” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“I’ve always said to sing the praises of being a little bit different. Different is what we want.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

“I could feel the momentum…. But it took a long time to get there.” — Jean Thompson ’82, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Nov. 10, 2014

JP Maheu of Twitter and George Gallate of RKG

JP Maheu, head of global branding and agency strategy for Twitter, and George Gallate, CEO of the international marketing firm RKG, were interviewed by Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Leigh Weisenburger on Jan. 29, 2015.

View the complete event here or view a selection of clips below.

“If you do not understand something, just ask. I tell that to everybody.” — JP Maheu, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

“I believe in a career you need to put more in than you take out. That’s part of purposeful work.” — George Gallate, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

“Don’t go where there are people you don’t see yourself working with. Do not work with people you do not like. Life is way too short.” — JP Maheu, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

“Social and digital allows you to create an awesome network…in service of your personal brand.” — George Gallate, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

“You need to find people in your network that will tell you the truth, even if it hurts.” — JP Maheu, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

“Other than finding something that is meaningful is having a personal plan.” — George Gallate, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

“Sometimes, take big chances. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.” — JP Maheu, Purposeful Work Unplugged, Jan. 29, 2015

Carol Gaffney ’67, consulting psychologist and life coach

Carol Gaffney ’67, a consulting psychologist who provides coaching for professionals seeking to improve personal and professional people skills, was interviewed by Geoffrey Swift, vice president for finance and treasurer, on March 19, 2015.

View the complete event here or view a selection of clips below.

“You leave that door open, and you do what you think is right.” — Carol Gaffney ’67 advising students not to worry about the length of a career transition, Purposeful Work Unplugged, March 19, 2015

“How do we live as individuals and as a group as well? We learn that through trial and error.” — Carol Gaffney ’67, Purposeful Work Unplugged, March 19, 2015

“A good as they were, they were always looking to improve, and they allowed themselves the humility and vulnerability to become better at what they did.” — Carol Gaffney ’67, Purposeful Work Unplugged, March 19, 2015

“We limit ourselves by these definitions we have about ourselves.” — Carol Gaffney ’67, Purposeful Work Unplugged, March 19, 2015