Career Pulse DC

The Origin Story of Traverse Jobs with Brad & Fraser Traverse

Join us as we explore the origin story behind Traverse Jobs, the key workforce trends shaping this industry, and the advice Brad and Fraser have for powering your career in D.C. and beyond. Whether you're just starting out or already making waves, Career Pulse DC provides the knowledge and connections to take your career to new heights.

The DC Internship Advantage

Guest: Karen Carter, Internship Advisor, Washington Semester Program (American University)Special Guest: Fraser Traverse, CEO of Traverse Jobs
Episode Summary:In this episode of Career Pulse DC, we dive deep into one of the most impactful entry points to a career in politics, policy, and public service: the internship. Margaret is joined by Karen Carter from American University’s renowned Washington Semester Program (WSP), alongside Fraser Traverse, a proud WSP alum and the CEO of Traverse Jobs.
Karen shares what makes the WSP one of DC’s longest-running and most respected internship programs, the kinds of placements available to students, and what it takes to land a meaningful internship in the nation's capital. Fraser reflects on how WSP launched her own career and offers insight into today’s job and internship market.
Whether you’re a college student, career advisor, or just curious about how internships shape the DC career pipeline, this episode is packed with advice, tips, and firsthand stories.
What You’ll Learn:
The history and impact of AU’s Washington Semester Program
What sets WSP apart from other internship experiences in DC
How students from a wide range of majors—from political science to IT—find tailored internship placements
Resume and cover letter tips for students with little prior work experience
Why being proactive and applying early is key (think: 40 applications!)
The value of networking, site visits, and making the most of DC’s opportunities
How WSP alumni—including Paul Ryan, America Ferrera, and Lori Lightfoot—have gone on to impactful careers
Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Learn more about the Washington Semester Program: american.edu/washington-semester-program 🔗 Find internships and jobs in politics and public affairs: TraverseJobs.com
Connect with Us: 📌 Follow @TraverseJobs on social for job tips and DC career insights 📧 Got questions or want to be a guest? Email us at margaret@traversejobs.com

Breaking Into International Careers with Dawson Law

Thinking about pivoting to an international career—or finally making that leap overseas? In this episode of Career Pulse DC, host Margaret Knudsen sits down with international careers coach Dawson Law and Fraser Traverse, CEO of Traverse Jobs, for a dynamic conversation about navigating global job markets.
Dawson shares his own career journey—from working at the State Department to representing the Treasury in London—and how that inspired his work helping 70+ clients land roles across government, NGOs, and the private sector.
🎧 You’ll learn:
What makes international job searches uniquely challenging—and how to beat the odds
How to strategically use foreign language skills (without getting pigeonholed)
The real role of grad school in international affairs
How to network across borders (yes, even from your couch)
Tips for resumes, interviews, and negotiating salaries in global contexts
How to pivot mid-career—even without prior international experience
What a federal hiring freeze means for job seekers
Whether you're fresh out of college or eyeing a second-act career abroad, Dawson’s insights are invaluable.
📍Resources Mentioned:
 🔗 InternationalCareersCoach.com
 📧 Got questions or want to be a guest? Email us at margaret@traversejobs.com.

30 Years in the Game: Narric Rome on Staying Curious and Building a DC Career

Description:In this episode of Career Pulse DC, we sit down with Traverse Jobs' longest continuous subscriber, Narric Rome. A DC veteran since 1994, Narric shares how internships, lobbying, campaign work, and advocacy shaped his career—and how staying curious (and checking job boards daily) helped him stay relevant.
The conversation dives into:
✅ How Narric landed his first jobs in DC
✅ Why internships are underrated
✅ Lessons from the campaign trail
✅ Transitioning between subject matter expertise and advocacy
✅ Why design and comms are the hottest growth areas in policy
✅ How to stand out in a 400-resume job pile
✅ Tips for early career professionals and the importance of real networking
If you've ever wondered how to build a sustainable career in DC—or what the job market is trying to tell you—this one's for you.

Eric Woodard on Mindset, Trust, and Job Search Strategies for 2025

In this episode of Career Pulse DC, Margaret Knudsen and Fraser Traverse sit down with career coach, public servant, and Win at Work podcast host Eric Woodard to talk about navigating the 2025 job market.
Eric shares his unconventional path from scuba instructor in Guam to working in the White House, U.S. Senate, State Department, and Smithsonian—and how those experiences inform his approach to helping job seekers. We cover why mindset trumps résumés, how trust is the real currency in hiring, and why breaking through the ATS isn’t as impossible as it seems.
You’ll hear practical strategies on:
Using vulnerability to build trust in interviews
Framing cold outreach so it’s about the employer, not you
Avoiding the “résumé purge” when making a career pivot
Navigating multi-step hiring processes without burning out
Storytelling in résumés, cover letters, and interviews
Reframing employment gaps as human experiences
Why job seeking doesn’t have to be a full-time job
Eric also outlines his coaching framework for getting clients hired—often in three months or less—and offers encouragement for anyone currently in a career transition.
Connect with Eric:"Get Hired FAST!" Career Coaching Program