Gochkeys’ Recruiting Director & Partner Josh Schukas speaks on Career Growth Panel at MD&M Minneapolis
Gochkeys Recruiting Director and Partner Josh Schukas was invited to speak on a career panel at MD&M in Minneapolis. The discussion, moderated by Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor at Packaging Digest, also featured Anna Corradi, Client Solutions Director at ManpowerGroup, and Dawn Muyres, Front End Innovation Officer at Solventum.
Together, they shared candid insights on career mapping, personal growth, and what it takes to stand out in today’s fast-changing medtech industry.
Here are our favorite takeaways from the conversation.
1. “Know Yourself — and Know Your Opponent.”
“When we talk to people who are looking for their next opportunity in medtech, I always come back to one of my favorite quotes from Sun Tzu, who wrote The Art of War in 1500 BC: ‘If you know yourself and you know your opponent, you will never lose a battle.’ Knowing the company you’re applying to, what they do, what they value, is important, but knowing yourself is even more powerful. Too many job seekers feel like the rejected, when really they need to start rejecting the rejection. Pick one or two roles you truly want in this industry, build a list of companies who hire for those roles, and take control of the process instead of waiting for it to happen to you.”
— Josh Schukas, Gochkeys
2. “Invest in Your Network and Your Brand.”
“In addition to certifications and classes, you have to invest in your network and your brand. Keep your LinkedIn presence active, but don’t rely on online networking alone. Look at your local professional groups, women in engineering associations, or manufacturing meetups. Those real-world relationships are what keep your career moving forward.”
— Anna Corradi, ManpowerGroup
3. “The Fundamentals Never Change.”
“People often think there’s a different playbook for every stage of their career. One for when you’re starting out, one for mid-career, and one for the end. But the fundamentals never change. It’s always the same: know yourself, know what you want, and make a list of the companies that align with that. Those are the people who keep growing, because they’re clear about where they’re going.”
— Josh Schukas, Gochkeys
4. “Continuous Learning Keeps You Relevant.”
“My favorite advice is continuous learning. Even if you have a stable job that you love, keep learning something new, ideally something outside your current role or industry. You don’t need another degree; take an online certification or course that shows you’re curious and evolving. You never know when that new knowledge will connect in unexpected ways.”
— Dawn Muyres, Solventum
5. “Emotional Intelligence Still Wins.”
“Before you even walk into an interview, you’re already demonstrating emotional intelligence. How you write your cover letter, how you tailor your résumé. It all signals self-awareness and empathy. If you take the time to learn about the company and find a personal connection with the hiring manager, that human touch will always set you apart.”
— Dawn Muyres, Solventum
6. “Mentorship Matters at Every Stage.”
“Get a mentor, no matter where you are in your career. Early in your journey, find someone who’s been in the role you want and learn from them. Mid-career, look for someone who can help you expand your leadership skills. Even 30 years in, I still have an executive mentor who challenges me to keep growing.”
— Anna Corradi, ManpowerGroup
7. “Nobody Hates Hustle.”
“Nobody hates hustle. You can take all the courses, build your network, polish your résumé. But at the end of the day, people love working with someone who’s proactive. Call the company. Follow up. Volunteer for the extra project. Hustle shows passion, and that’s the best way to stand out.”
— Josh Schukas, Gochkeys
Final Thoughts
Across all three panelists, a common theme emerged: career growth is less about luck and more about intention. Know yourself. Keep learning. Reach out to others. Stay human in a digital world.
At Gochkeys, we help candidates and clients alike build those connections because the right opportunities don’t just happen. They’re created by people who are curious, focused, and willing to hustle.
