From Rock 'n' Roll to AI-Powered Career Development: My Journey and the Power of Knowing What You Want and How to Get It

At 75, I've embarked on an exciting new chapter as Senior Vice President, Education Innovation, North America at Assessfy. In this role, I work closely with university and college career development center directors, empowering students to prepare for their dream careers using cutting-edge generative AI tools. But my journey to this point has been anything but conventional.

Back in college, I played coffee houses in Westchester County, often sharing the stage with a fellow student you might recognize—Don McLean, the voice behind "Bye Bye Miss American Pie." I even opened for iconic acts like The Four Tops and The Beach Boys at Iona College. My music career took a sharp turn when Walt Maguire, Vice President of A&R at London Records, discovered me and invited me to sign with London's Burlington-Felsted publishing wing as a songwriter. That summer, I made the bold decision to drop out of college to pursue my dream of a music career.

For the next 10 years, I lived that dream. I held various roles at London Records, from Assistant to the VP of A&R to Head of Domestic Recording Studio Operations, and finally, In-House Producer and Engineer. I had the incredible opportunity to work with legendary artists like The Rolling Stones, The Moody Blues, David Bowie, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, Van Morrison with Them, and many others who were my heroes growing up.

But all good things must come to an end. When London Records was sold to Polygram, the music industry was in chaos—pre-MTV, with music videos just beginning and CDs on the horizon, destined to replace cassettes and 8-tracks. As I pondered my next move, I read about a disruptive upstart called MCI Telecommunications that was about to break AT&T's monopoly and forever change the long-distance phone service market. So, I made a major career transition, applying my recording studio skills to the world of telecommunications and sales.

What followed was a successful run in corporate America. I led sales centers for MCI, helped Cablevision achieve record-breaking results, and served in various leadership roles at DSL and Grand Circle Travel. Along the way, I earned my PhD in Marketing and eventually found myself as Director of Sales & Marketing for a national recruiting firm.

But the music industry never left my blood. I moonlighted by forming my own indie record label and even performed at legendary venues like CBGBs in New York City and The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. I also stretched my creative talents as a TV and radio host and producer, exploring everything from a diners documentary on public television to standup comedy, where I hosted a documentary about my experience making people laugh at NYC’s comedy mecca, The Gotham Comedy Club.

In 2017, as I pondered early retirement from corporate America, I reflected on what had driven me throughout my career. It became clear that bringing out the best in others and helping them achieve their own career success was the common thread. So, I decided to open my own career coaching practice, where I found immense joy in helping clients across industries and roles achieve fulfillment.

And now, with Assessfy, I'm back in the thick of it—helping the next generation prepare for fulfilling careers using cutting-edge generative AI tools. The ability to simulate real recruitment scenarios, practice technical interviews, and refine interview skills with AI-powered feedback is transforming how students approach their careers. Having navigated diverse career transitions myself, I understand the value of knowing what you want to do with your life and being prepared to go after it.

If my journey has taught me anything, it's that it's never too late to chase your dreams, pivot when necessary, and use every experience to fuel the next adventure. At Assessfy, I’m thrilled to help Career Deveopment Center Directors to help students do just that—prepare themselves to grab hold of their own dreams and create their own career gold record!

Watch the video Crack campus recruitment through practice, not luck! ?and Book a Zoom Call?to learn more

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Garrison Leykam, PhD, is SVP Education Innovation, N.A. for Assessfy. He is recognized in Thinkers360's Top 50 Global Thought Leaders & Influencers on Generative AI, Top 50 Leaders on The Future of Work, Top Generative AI Global Thought Leaders, and Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Careers. His book "AI Powered Job Hunting is a #1 NEW RELEASE on Amazon (2023). Garrison is a Certified Chat GPT Prompt Engineer, Certified Business Coach (Expert Level), and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).