Summary
In this engaging conversation, Ismaelle Salomon, a tech sourcer, shares her journey from education to tech recruitment, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faces in the industry. The discussion covers the importance of preparation for interviews, the dynamics of salary negotiations, and the role of diversity in tech. Ismaelle emphasizes the need for transparency in the hiring process and the significance of company culture in retaining talent. The conversation also touches on the impact of remote work and the differences between recruiters and sourcers, providing valuable insights for both candidates and hiring managers.

Takeaways

• Ismaelle transitioned from education to tech recruitment due to a passion for people.
• Technical recruitment is challenging, requiring a good fit for both skills and culture.
• Preparation is crucial for candidates to succeed in interviews.
• Salary transparency is essential for a smooth hiring process.
• Diversity in tech is important, and Ismaelle champions representation.
• Candidates should feel empowered to negotiate their worth.
• Understanding the difference between a recruiter and a sourcer is key for candidates.
• Company culture plays a significant role in employee retention.
• Remote work dynamics have shifted post-pandemic, affecting hiring practices.
• Candidates should apply even if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.

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Recorded on July 13, 2023

Summary
The conversation covers Corey Morris's experience, learning from challenges, working within the DoD community, negotiating salaries, troubleshooting stories, transitioning to Microsoft, working in a pod, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this part of the conversation, Corey Morris discusses the importance of understanding and empathy, sharing a personal story about meeting a transgender individual. He also talks about the lack of favoritism and prejudice he has observed at Microsoft. Corey reflects on his experiences in previous roles and the challenges he faced, particularly in obtaining necessary access and support. He emphasizes the value of certifications in the IT industry and how they can open doors for career growth. Corey expresses his passion for mentorship and his desire to help others succeed. He shares his aspirations to be part of the product team at Microsoft and deliver TED Talks.

Takeaways

• Corey had a positive experience in the DoD and learned a lot from the challenges he faced.
• Working at DIA was a different experience, with resistance and a lack of support from colleagues.
• Negotiating salaries is important, and Corey shared his experience of getting a raise.
• Corey shared some funny troubleshooting stories from his early days in IT.
• Transitioning to Microsoft was a significant step in Corey's career, and he now works in a pod supporting multiple customers.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important values that Corey and his team at Microsoft prioritize. Understanding and empathy are crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Certifications hold significant value in the IT industry and can enhance career opportunities.
• Mentorship plays a vital role in personal and professional growth, and having mentors can provide guidance and support.
• Setting clear career aspirations and surrounding oneself with smart and motivated individuals can contribute to personal and professional success.

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Summary
Ernest Gibbs III shares his journey into the tech industry, starting from his early interest in computers and troubleshooting. He pursued the A+ certification and landed his first tech job in a call center. Ernest then transitioned to a new tech job where he gained more experience and considered pursuing the Network+ certification. Eventually, he found a role as a DevOps engineer and continues to grow in his career. This conversation explores the importance of representation in the tech industry and the challenges faced by underrepresented individuals. It highlights the desire for influence and advocacy, as well as the journey of transitioning to different tech roles. The conversation also touches on dealing with rejection, finding inspiration, and the benefits of tech programs and bootcamps. It concludes with insights into the job application and interview process, career progression, and advice for those interested in tech.

Takeaways

• Developing troubleshooting skills and being the go-to tech person in your family can lead to a career in tech.
• Certifications like A+ and Network+ can provide a solid foundation and open doors to job opportunities.
• Networking and job shadowing can help in finding new tech roles and advancing in your career.
• Continued learning and staying motivated are key to success in the tech industry. Representation in the tech industry is crucial for creating a sense of belonging and ensuring equal opportunities for underrepresented individuals.
• Feeling like an outsider in the tech industry can be discouraging, but taking a chance and pursuing opportunities can lead to personal growth and success.
• Having mentors and advocates who look like you can make a significant difference in your career journey.
• Tech programs and bootcamps provide valuable learning opportunities and can help individuals gain the skills and knowledge needed to enter the tech industry.
• Dealing with rejection is a part of the journey, but it's important to stay motivated and continue learning and growing.
• Finding inspiration and motivation from others' success stories can help fuel your own journey in tech.
• Career progression in tech involves continuous learning and staying up-to-date with new technologies and skills.
• Choosing between technical and program management roles requires understanding your own interests and strengths.
• Always be curious and explore different paths in tech to find what excites you the most.
• Pay it forward by helping others and creating opportunities for the next generation of tech professionals.

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Samuel Tillman shares his journey from a troubled youth to becoming a successful SRE (Site Reliability Engineer) with the NBA. He discusses his early life, military experience, and how he got interested in technology. Samuel talks about his transition to civilian life and the challenges he faced in finding IT jobs. He also highlights the importance of diversity in the workplace and how the NBA embraces it. Finally, he shares his transition to DevOps and SRE roles and emphasizes the value of self-study and continuous learning in the tech industry. In this part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the rise of AI in the news and the importance of staying updated on new technologies. They also talk about the base requirements and certifications for becoming a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE). The conversation then moves on to learning the cloud and infrastructure as code, with a focus on using Terraform for infrastructure deployment. The speakers also discuss working with managed Kubernetes clusters and the importance of mentoring and helping others in the IT industry. The conversation covers various topics related to learning and working in the IT industry, with a focus on opportunities for growth and development.

Takeaways:

• AI is a rapidly evolving field that is constantly in the news, and it is important for IT professionals to stay updated on new technologies.
• To become an SRE, it is important to have a strong foundation in networking and to obtain relevant certifications such as CompTIA's A+, Network+, and Security+.
• Learning the cloud and infrastructure as code is essential for SREs, and tools like Terraform can be used to deploy and manage infrastructure.
• Choosing a cloud provider and becoming familiar with their platform is crucial for SREs, and it is recommended to start with the cloud provider that aligns with your existing skills and experience.
• Managed Kubernetes clusters are becoming more common, and it is important for SREs to understand how to work with them.
• Mentoring and helping others in the IT industry is a valuable way to give back and contribute to the community. Cura Labs in New York offers a free bootcamp for learning DevOps.
• Some individuals can go from zero to hero in just six months with the right training and resources.
• New York provides great opportunities for IT professionals, with high-paying jobs and access to industry leaders.
• Keeping cloud services running is a crucial role in the IT industry, ensuring that applications are always available.

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We had a great time chatting with Professor Roger Whyte. This conversation explores the challenges of clickbait and superficial training, the importance of mentorship and networking, the order of importance for career development, the value of certifications in the IT field, the power of community and networking in the tech industry, the debate between college degrees and certifications, and the need for regular tech conversations.

Takeaways

• Clickbait and superficial training can hinder the development of foundational knowledge.
• Mentorship and networking are crucial for career growth and opportunities.
• The order of importance for career development: mentorship, certifications, networking, and boot camps.
• Certifications are essential for government jobs and can open doors to opportunities.
• Community and networking play a significant role in the tech industry.
• The debate between college degrees and certifications continues, with certifications often being a requirement for specific roles.
• Regular tech conversations are necessary to stay updated and connected in the industry.

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In this conversation, the hosts celebrate Toni Benson's birthday and introduce her as a guest. Toni shares her background, including growing up in Dover, Delaware, and attending Delaware State University. She explains how she initially pursued computer science but switched to management information systems. Toni then discusses her decision to join the United States Air Force and her experience as a communications officer. She highlights the leadership skills she gained during her time in the military. In this part of the conversation, Toni Benson discusses the lack of representation she experienced in the Air Force and the workforce. She also shares her journey of becoming a speaker and the importance of authenticity and not conforming to fit in. Toni encourages women to enter the tech field and provides resources and networks to support their journey. She emphasizes the significance of mentors, coaches, and advocates in personal and professional growth. Finally, Toni introduces her consulting company, Envision, which focuses on leadership training and supporting young people in becoming leaders. In this conversation, the hosts and guest discuss various topics related to diversity in tech, the impact of conferences, investing in the next generation, the role of AI, security concerns with AI, big tech and security, individual responsibility and social media, and finding balance and decompressing. They also touch on imposter syndrome and the importance of taking responsibility.

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In this conversation, Elliott Fields discusses his journey starting out in IT, building a career, and the importance of staying relevant in the field.Elliott Fields discusses his transition from working with Exchange to Azure. He explains how he used Azure to build lab environments and learn about networking, security, and other related topics. Elliott emphasizes the importance of learning the cloud counterparts of on-premises products and the benefits of using Azure and AWS for lab work. He also shares his philosophy of practicing and gaining confidence in IT. Additionally, Elliott mentions the inspiration he derives from CT Fletcher and discusses the evolution of Exchange and the need to embrace AI and analytics in the future. He also touches on work-life balance and the representation and diversity initiatives at Microsoft. The conversation highlights the significance of mentorship and the various employee resource groups that promote diversity and inclusion within the company.

Takeaways

• Starting out in IT can be challenging, but with determination and a willingness to learn, one can succeed.
• Continual learning and staying up-to-date with technology are essential for maintaining a successful career in IT.
• Work-life balance is a personal responsibility, and it may require trade-offs at times.
• Representation and diversity in the workplace are crucial for fostering creativity and bringing different perspectives to the table.
• Mentorship and employee resource groups play a vital role in supporting and empowering underrepresented groups in the IT industry.

Extras:
GitHub Link

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SUMMARY
DEM Tech Folks have a fun conversation with Ebony Pierce consisting of back and forth shots across the screen while mixing in some helpful tips and thought provoking "gems". Ebony, a former developer now turned cybersecurity expert, shares her journey into the tech industry and her experiences working in various roles. She discusses her early exposure to technology through a hardware program and her decision to pursue a degree in computer science. Ebony also talks about her first job in a casino as an overnight backup operator and the importance of understanding IT operations. She highlights the challenges in the cybersecurity field, including the need for qualified professionals and the prevalence of certification-focused training. In this conversation, Rico and Kenny continue their discussion with Ebony about her journey in the tech industry and her role as a Chief Cyber Security Officer. They explore the importance of passion and problem-solving in cybersecurity, the misconception of quick money in the field, and the lack of representation for women and minorities. Ebony shares her experiences of being the only woman and black person in many tech spaces and the challenges she faced. She also provides valuable advice for those interested in getting into cybersecurity, including volunteering at conferences and exploring different areas of interest.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Early exposure to technology programs can spark an interest in the tech industry.
• Understanding IT operations is valuable for software developers. 
• The cybersecurity field faces challenges with the lack of qualified professionals. 
• Certification-focused training may not always provide the necessary skills and experience. Passion and problem-solving are important in cybersecurity, and chasing money without a genuine interest in the field can create issues. 
• Representation of women and minorities in tech is still lacking, and many spaces lack diversity.
• Volunteering at conferences like B-Sides and others can provide valuable networking opportunities and insights into different areas of cybersecurity. 
• The risk management framework is a useful tool for expanding understanding of cybersecurity policies and exploring different areas of interest. 
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and being comfortable with being uncomfortable are important for personal and professional growth in the tech industry.

Helpful Links:

• Rico Randall's LinkedIn
• Reginald Davis's LinkedIn
• Ebony Pierce's LinkedIn

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In this conversation, Willie discusses his background and journey in the technology field. He shares how his interest in technology developed and how he transitioned from the Navy to civilian life. Willie emphasizes the importance of certifications and training in the cybersecurity field. He also highlights the value of mentorship and coaching for personal and professional growth. Willie discusses the challenges he faces in the cybersecurity industry, particularly the lack of security as an initial consideration. He provides advice for individuals to protect themselves from cyber threats and addresses the gap between IT professionals and regular people in understanding cybersecurity. This conversation covers various topics related to IT and security. The importance of foundational knowledge in IT is highlighted, emphasizing the need to understand networking and cloud engineering. The role of security in IT operations is discussed, with a focus on the challenges of implementing security measures. The conversation also explores the speed at which security changes and the need to learn and adapt quickly. The impact of AI and GPT-3 in the tech industry is examined, considering both the potential risks and benefits. The importance of a security mindset and mentorship is emphasized, along with the need to raise awareness and provide opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the field. The conversation concludes with parting thoughts and appreciation for the guest's insights and experiences.

Please connect with us to share your thoughts as to how we may improve the quality of the show. Thanks.

Hosts:
Rico Randall
Reginald Davis
Jonah Huggins

Guest:
Willie Hopson

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In this episode, Rico, Reginald, and Ebony discuss the reasons for the long break in releasing episodes and the challenges faced in finding post-production support. They also talk about the importance of commitment and evolution in the podcasting journey. The conversation highlights the turnover in the team and the process of finding the right members. They emphasize the goal of creating a community and providing support to listeners. Ebony introduces herself and shares her journey to the podcast. The episode concludes with a discussion on raffling mentorships and the vision for the podcast. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics related to AI and the podcast itself. They emphasize the importance of proper prompting in AI to achieve desired results. They also debate the terminology of AI and whether it should be considered artificial or augmented intelligence. The hosts express their interest in exploring different topics in the industry as they bring in guest speakers. They discuss the need to engage the audience, gather feedback, and build a community. They also consider ways to support individuals in their career transitions and collaborate with small businesses for mutual benefit. Finally, they discuss the use of profanity in the podcast and the need to be mindful of the audience's preferences.

DevelopEveryMind.com

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