Fall Into Tech

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal veteran Jacqueline Blackburn shares her journey from EOD to venture capital in this insightful episode. Discover:

• Jacqueline's career evolution from Navy EOD platoon commander to JP Morgan, and her transition into the world of venture capital at Decisive Point
• Insights into Decisive Point's unique approach, combining venture capital investments, advisory services, and accelerator programs
• The day-to-day realities of working at Decisive Point, including managing accelerator programs, advising clients, and evaluating potential investments
• Advice for veterans transitioning to civilian careers, emphasizing the importance of networking, understanding your new industry, and leveraging military experience

Whether you're a transitioning service member, aspiring entrepreneur, or curious about venture capital in the defense and energy sectors, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the intersection of military experience, technology, and investment in cutting-edge defense and energy companies.

GUEST INFO:

• Jacqueline Blackburn LinkedIn
• Decisive Point (Venture capital firm that invests in dual-use technology startups and offers government contract consulting services)

EPISODE LINKS:

• The Quest Accelerator
• National Security Innovation Network
• NSIN Propel Maritime Digital Defense
• JP Morgan's Military & Veterans Affairs
• Radiant (Building micro nuclear reactors)
• Firestorm (Developing mission-adaptable aerial vehicles)
• ChatGPT
• DALL-E

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Marine veteran Brian Gomez shares his journey from U.S. Marine to tech recruiting at Meta in this insightful episode. Discover:

• Brian's career evolution from the Marine Corps to Meta's recruiting team
• Insights into the tech recruiting process, including strategies for sourcing candidates and advocating for diverse talent
• How military skills like adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving translate to success in tech recruiting
• The day-to-day realities of working as a tech recruiter, including building relationships with hiring managers and candidates
• Advice for veterans transitioning to tech careers, emphasizing the importance of networking, tailoring resumes, and leveraging military experience

Whether you're a transitioning service member, aspiring tech professional, or curious about recruiting in big tech, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the hiring process and building a successful post-military career in the tech industry.

GUEST INFO:

• Brian Gomez LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS:

• Meta Careers
• Meta Llama AI
• Marine Innovation Unit
• Marine for Life
• LinkedIn Recruiter
• SeekOut Recruiting Tool
• Bellator Recruiting Academy

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Marine veteran Eric Shu shares his journey from artillery officer to venture capitalist in this insightful episode. Discover:

• Eric's career evolution from Marine Corps artillery officer to MBA graduate, and his transition into the world of venture capital
• Insights into the venture capital industry, including how VCs evaluate startups and make investment decisions
• How military skills like adaptability, leadership, and strategic thinking translate to success in the tech investment world
• The day-to-day realities of working as a VC, including sourcing deals and supporting portfolio companies
• Advice for veterans interested in tech careers or entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience and continuous learning

Whether you're a transitioning service member, aspiring entrepreneur, or curious about venture capital, this episode offers valuable insights into succeeding in the fast-paced world of tech investment and startup ecosystems.

GUEST INFO:

• Eric Shu LinkedIn
• Access Venture Partners
• Pitch and Run Colorado (Luma)
• Pitch and Run Colorado (Instagram)

EPISODE LINKS:

• The Power Law (Book about Venture Capital)
• Acquired Podcast
• Marine Innovation Unit
• Defense Innovation Unit
• Teach for America

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Navy veteran Tony Herrera shares his journey from corpsman to AI machine learning engineer in this fascinating episode.

Discover:

• Tony's career evolution from Navy corpsman to coding bootcamp graduate, and his rapid progression to AI engineering roles
• Insights into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from front-end development to machine learning and cognitive AI technologies
• How military skills like adaptability, leadership, and tenacity translate to success in the tech industry, especially in cutting-edge fields
• The day-to-day realities of working on large-scale AI projects
• Tony's advice for aspiring tech professionals, emphasizing the importance of understanding fundamental concepts and continuous learning

Whether you're a transitioning service member or curious about AI and machine learning, this episode offers valuable insights into succeeding in the cutting-edge world of cognitive technologies and software development.

GUEST INFO:

• Tony Herrera LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS:

• Skill Distillery Coding Bootcamp
• Coursera
• Operation Code
• Meta Llama AI Model
• TensorFlow
• PyTorch
• Jax
• GI Bill
• Navy Enterprise Service Desk
  

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Former Army infantry soldier Alex Peterec shares his journey from military service to software engineering at Wells Fargo. Discover:

• Alex's transition from airborne infantry to coding bootcamp and then software engineering
• Insights into the Galvanize coding bootcamp experience and its role in his career shift
• The importance of networking and mentorship in breaking into the tech industry
• How to leverage military skills like teamwork and attention to detail in software development roles
• The day-to-day life of a junior software engineer and performance evaluation in tech
• Challenges of imposter syndrome and adapting to a new tech stack as a beginner

Whether you're a transitioning service member or curious about software engineering, this episode offers valuable insights into succeeding in the technical world of coding and development.

GUEST INFO:

• Alex Peterec LinkedIn
• Alex Peterec Blog

EPISODE LINKS:

• Galvanize Coding Bootcamp
• Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA)
• Amazon Apprenticeship Program
• Pluralsight
• A Cloud Guru
• Udemy
• DOD SkillBridge

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Former Marine Charnice Tatum shares her journey from military service to compliance engineering in the tech industry. Discover:

• Charnice's transition from the Marines to IT help desk and then compliance engineering
• Insights into cybersecurity certifications and their value in the tech industry
• The importance of self-awareness in choosing a tech career path
• How to leverage military experience in compliance and cybersecurity roles
• The potential of blockchain technology and its applications

Whether you're a transitioning service member or curious about cybersecurity and compliance, this episode offers valuable insights into succeeding in the technical side of IT.

GUEST INFO:

• Charnice Tatum LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS:

• Security+ Certification
• Network+ Certification
• A+ Certification
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CYSA+ Certification
• CISSP Certification
• Intellectual Point
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)
• IAM (Identity and Access Management) certifications
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
• VR&E (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) program for veterans
• CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) certification

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Former Marine infantry officer Keith Pickering shares his journey from military service to enterprise sales in the tech industry. Discover:

• Keith's transition from the Marines to becoming an enterprise account executive
• Insights into the world of B2B and enterprise sales in tech
• The value of networking and "1000 cups of coffee" in career transitions
• How to leverage military experience in strategic sales roles

Whether you're a transitioning service member or curious about tech sales, this episode offers valuable insights into succeeding in the business side of tech.

GUEST INFO:

• Keith Pickering LinkedIn
• Keith Pickering Veterati

EPISODE LINKS:

• Commit Foundation
• Breakline
• Claude AI
• PMP Certification
• Salesforce
  

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Marine veteran Jeff Otano shares his journey from infantry to senior software engineer in this inspiring episode. Discover:

• Jeff’s transition from the Marines to Microsoft and startups
• The pros and cons of big tech vs. startup life
• Tips for breaking into tech as a veteran
• How to leverage military leadership skills in the tech world
• Insights on building your own tech projects and startups

Whether you’re a transitioning service member or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable advice for succeeding in tech.

GUEST INFO:

• Jeff Otano LinkedIn
• Skiva.app (Elevate Your Pickleball Game)

EPISODE LINKS:

• Microsoft Software & Systems Academy
• DOD SkillBridge
• GI Bill Veteran Benefits
• Free Code Camp
• Treehouse
• Wellfound
• Udemy
• Coursera
• Convex

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

In this episode of Fall Into Tech, hosts Jameel Matin and Michael Rodriguez chat with John Kennealy, an Army veteran turned software engineer. John shares his journey from military service to the tech industry, offering valuable insights on:

• Transitioning from the military to a tech career
• Choosing between college and coding bootcamps
• Preparing for tech interviews and job searches
• Overcoming imposter syndrome in a new field
• The pros and cons of working in tech
• Adapting to large codebases and new programming languages
• The importance of soft skills in tech careers
• Perspectives on AI and its impact on the industry

Whether you're a veteran considering a move into tech or already in the field, John's practical advice and candid experiences offer a roadmap for success in the ever-evolving world of technology.

GUEST INFO:
John Kennealy LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS:

• GI Bill Veteran Benefits
• Western Illinois University
• YouTube (Free Code Camp)
• Pluralsight
• Coursera
• GitHub
• ChatGPT
• Code Platoon

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn

Join Marine veterans Jameel Matin and Michael Rodriguez as they kick off the Fall Into Tech podcast. Discover their journey from military service to thriving tech careers, packed with practical advice and inspiring stories. Learn about coding bootcamps, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leveraging AI in tech. Perfect for veterans considering a tech career or anyone curious about the industry's opportunities and challenges. Tune in for weekly interviews with tech professionals and fellow vets making waves in the digital world.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Fall In Hackathon
• Code Platoon
• Operation Code
• Y Combinator Startup School
• Chat GPT
• Claude AI
• Github Copilot
• Edabit
• Leetcode

PODCAST INFO:

• Podcast website: https://www.fallintotech.com/
• Youtube
• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Zencastr

SOCIAL:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

HOST INFO:

• Jameel LinkedIn
• Michael LinkedIn