Kareem overcame...
When life benched him, Kareem he trained like an athlete to build the mindset, strategy, and strength it takes to win in today’s job market. Now, he brings that same fire to every stage, helping ambitious professionals move with confidence, speak with power, and land roles that reflect their worth.
With 4+ years of recruiting experience, a Master’s in HR & Industrial Relations, and multiple coaching certifications, Kareem fuses insider career strategy with the discipline of a fighter and the heart of a mentor.
Whether he’s speaking to first-gen college students, early-career talent, or professionals in transition, Kareem’s message is clear: you don’t rise to opportunity...you rise to the level of your training.
And he’s here to help you train smarter.
Check out kareem's recent presentation with disrupt chicago
SPEAKING TOPICS
"Train for the Career You Want: Building Strength Before Opportunity Knocks"
Message: Career growth requires preparation, intention, and consistency—just like fitness
Key Points:
✔ You don’t rise to opportunity; you rise to the level of your training
✔ How to build career endurance (skills, mindset, visibility)
✔ The difference between staying active vs. being strategic
✔ A framework for long-term career strength
"Interview Like an Athlete: Preparation, Presence, Performance"
Message: Interviews are not luck—they’re a performance. And like any performance, you train for them.
Key Points:
✔ Preparing your “mental reps” (research + mindset)
✔ Mastering the pitch & powerful storytelling (STAR method + confidence)
✔ How to recover from rejection and build mental toughness
✔ The secret sauce: energy, rhythm, and presence
"Strength in Transition: How to Pivot Your Career with Confidence"
Message: Pivoting doesn’t mean starting over—it means repositioning what you’ve already built
Key Points:
✔ Identify your “career strength base” (skills, values, drivers)
✔ Rebrand your resume, voice, and LinkedIn
✔ How to tell your story in a way that opens doors
✔ A personal pivot story from your own career
"From Rejection to Resilience: Bouncing Back in a Tough Job Market"
Message: Rejection is part of growth—if you respond with strategy, not shame
Key Points:
✔ Understanding the silent rejection (ghosting, no callbacks)
✔ How to track, analyze, and improve your process
✔ Building resilience through community, mindset, and feedback
✔ Fitness parallel: the set that fails is the one that makes you stronger
"Networking Like a StrengthSeeker: Connection is a Career Muscle"
Message: Networking isn’t about being extroverted—it’s about being intentional
Key Points:
✔ The relationship between networking and opportunity
✔ How to build your professional circle from scratch
✔ Scripts for reaching out without it feeling fake
✔ Social media vs. IRL—how to stay top of mind
"Built for More: Career Development for First-Gens and Underdogs"
Message: You’re not behind—you’re building strength most people overlook
Key Points:
✔ The power of owning your story and building with what you have
✔ How to use your background as a career advantage
✔ Creating your own blueprint (when you don’t have role models in your field)
✔ Where to find mentors, allies, and strength
Best Fit Audiences
✔ Career Services Centers
✔ Workforce readiness programs
✔ Youth employment organizations
✔ Early-career talent development
✔ DEI initiatives & Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
✔ Internship & apprenticeship cohorts
✔ Leadership development workshops
✔ Layoff support & outplacement services
✔ Tech and career bootcamps
✔ Certificate training programs
✔ Trade schools & adult education programs
✔ Professional association events
✔ Young professional or emerging leader conferences
what they said
I can’t recommend Kareem highly enough for speaking engagements.
If you want to ignite motivation in students—especially those wondering, “How will I use this in life?”—Kareem is your answer. He’s a game-changer who will leave audiences buzzing with purpose and ready to chase their dreams. Book him, and watch him transform your students’ perspectives!
- cory cain
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Kareem has empowered audiences at:
past speaking engagements
watch Kareem in action
