From Broadcast Journalist to DEIB Leader: Catherine Van’s Job Search Success Story
Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job
Mac Prichard
4.8 • 630 Ratings
🗓️ 4 May 2026
⏱️ 17 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16770&preview=true)
On this bonus episode of Find Your Dream Job, Catherine Van shares how she transitioned from her childhood dream of being a broadcast journalist to becoming a DEIB leader at the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon's largest private charitable funder. When the nonstop news cycle took a toll, she pivoted into nonprofit and corporate communications, bringing her commitment to storytelling and social justice.
Years later, after returning from maternity leave at another organization, Catherine faced an unexpected layoff. By leaning on her network and reframing her skills, she found her way into equity work. Catherine talks about the psychological toll of rejection, the power of reframing your skills for a new context, and why the job search is never a solo sport.
About Our Guest:
- Catherine Van leads equity initiatives at the Oregon Community Foundation.
Resources in This Episode:
- Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Have you ever been asked this in a job interview? Tell me about a time when you didn't agree |
| 0:05.0 | with your boss. What would you say? This is what's called a behavioral interview question, |
| 0:12.0 | and it's a common tactic. Employers use this kind of question to explore your fit for a job |
| 0:17.5 | based on your past experience. It can be an easy question to answer |
| 0:21.6 | if you have the right strategy. I show you how to answer these gotcha questions in our free |
| 0:27.5 | MaxList Guide, 100 behavioral interview questions you need to know. To get your copy, visit |
| 0:34.1 | maxlist.org slash questions. You'll also learn four simple steps for answering any behavioral |
| 0:41.1 | interview question. Again, that's maxlis.org slash questions. You can count on getting these questions |
| 0:48.3 | in your next interview. Why not get the answers before you walk into the interview room? Go to maxlist.org |
| 0:55.2 | slash questions. This is Find Your Dream Job, the podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life. |
| 1:14.5 | I'm your host, Mack Pritchard. I'm also the founder of Max List. It's a job board of the Pacific Northwest that helps you find a fulfilling career. |
| 1:24.6 | One of the best ways to get good at job hunting is to talk to people who do it well. |
| 1:30.3 | That's why once a month, I interview a Max List reader who found a job they love. |
| 1:36.3 | Our guest today is Catherine Van. |
| 1:38.3 | She leads equity initiatives at the Oregon Community Foundation. |
| 1:43.3 | It's the largest private funder and charitable foundation in the state of Oregon. |
| 1:49.0 | Catherine Van has had an unconventional career. |
| 1:52.7 | She's worked in the media, the nonprofit world, and now in philanthropy. |
| 1:57.5 | In a story you can find on the Max List website, |
| 2:00.2 | Catherine says her unusual professional journey |
| 2:02.7 | has become her greatest career strength. |
| 2:06.3 | Why do you love your job, Catherine? |
... |
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