Tech Unlocked

Is studying computer science still worth it in 2025? What does the future of education look like in an AI driven world?

With AI reshaping the job market and tech layoffs skyrocketing, CS students are facing serious questions about their futures. In this episode 102, I chat with Jerome Petty, founder of ColorStack, about whether a CS degree is still valuable, how students can stand out, and what they'd do differently if they were starting over today and the future of education.

Whether you're a current student, recent grad, or career switcher, this episode will challenge your thinking and help you chart a smarter path in tech.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — Is CS still worth it for YOU?

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more future-proof tech career insights!

⌛️ CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

04:20 - Meet Jehron Petty, Founder of ColorStack

06:15 - Building a Support Network for CS Students of Color

17:45 - Impact of Tech Layoffs on Internship Pipelines

20:15 - Advice for International CS Students

23:00 - Can AI Replace Developers?

27:30 - How to Stand Out as a CS Student in 2025

30:45 - The Power of Building Real-World Projects

34:00 - Is Now the Best Time Ever to Start CS in College?

37:15 - The Shift Toward Localized Tech Solutions

40:00 - Final Thoughts: Is College Still the Best Route?

Watch my latest video here: https://youtu.be/Rlr_f1vyq-E?si=sOQ5SyVMbugRB-lv

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https://www.colorstack.org/

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In episode 101 of Tech Unlocked, Grace chats with Aleenah Ansari about her unconventional path into tech—not as an engineer, but as a powerful storyteller. Aleenah shares how she leveraged her writing background to carve out impactful roles at Microsoft and Salesforce, and why she believes storytelling is the creative skill that will continue to thrive in the age of AI.

Tune in to hear practical job search strategies, personal branding tips, and ways to collaborate with AI instead of fearing it. Whether you're pivoting into tech or just looking to stand out, this episode will help you unlock the power of your story.

Aleenah Ansari (she/her) is equal parts storyteller, creative problem solver, and journalist at heart rooted in the stories of people behind products, companies, and initiatives. She works as a customer story development manager at Salesforce, where she focuses on messaging for web stories and videos. She also writes about travel, entrepreneurship, mental health and wellness, and representation in media for Insider, The Seattle Times, Joysauce, and more. You can usually find her searching for murals in Seattle and beyond, visiting a local bookstore, and planning her next trip to New York. Learn more at www.aleenahansari.com.

🎯 Connect with Aleenah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleenah-ansari

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Wow, today we hit 100 episodes of Tech Unlocked! 🎉

It's been an incredible journey chatting with brilliant minds in the tech industry and navigating my own tech career in the last 6 years

To celebrate this milestone, I'm taking a pause to reflect and share something truly valuable with you. In this special episode, I'm distilling countless hours of conversations and personal experience down to the 3 most impactful career lessons I've learned. These aren't just theories; they are the recurring themes, the hard truths, and the actionable insights that have surfaced again and again from both my amazing guests and my own time working in tech.

Whether you're in your 20s or 30s, just starting your tech career, looking to level up, or feeling a bit stuck, these are the principles I believe can genuinely help you navigate the complexities, avoid common pitfalls, and build a more fulfilling and successful path forward.

Watch on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC1cIjeqnPc&lc=UgwM2lwW2c2wnNpiwrd4AaABAg

⌛️ CHAPTERS:

0:00 - intro

0:50 - podcast update

2:21 - lesson 1

4:47 - lesson 2

7:21- lesson 3

13:33 - life changing quote by Elizabeth Gilbert

15:33 - why i am quitting podcasting

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Tired of hearing about the same tech careers in 2025? In episode 99, I dive into 5 overlooked but incredibly lucrative tech careers that are positioned for explosive growth. After 6 years in the industry, I've researched the most promising fields beyond the usual software engineering, data science or even AI roles. For each job role I share the definition, average salary, pros & cons, and skills needed to thrive in that specific role.

By the end of this video, you'll discover five alternative paths to tech success that match or even exceed the compensation of traditional roles and position youself at the forefront of technological innovation. Ready to shape the future? Then is this episode is for you!

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🧐SOURCES:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2023) https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
2. CompTIA Tech Industry Outlook (2023) https://www.comptia.org/content/research/it-industry-trends-analysis
3. CBRE Tech Talent Report (2023) https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/scoring-tech-talent-2023
4. Robert Half Technology Salary Guide (2023) https://www.roberthalf.com/salary-guide
5. Deloitte Technology Industry Outlook (2023) https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology/articles/technology-industry-outlook.html
6. IEEE Engineering Salary Survey (2023) https://www.ieee.org/membership/products/financial-advantage-program/salary-service.html
7. International Federation of Robotics Annual World Robotics Report (2023) https://ifr.org/worldrobotics/
8. McKinsey Global Institute Future of Work Report https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work
9. Morgan Stanley Space Team Industry Analysis (2022) https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/investing-in-space
10. BCG Quantum Computing Market Analysis (2023) https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/quantum-computing-market-analysis
11. Game Developer Salary Survey (2023) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-developer-salary-survey-2023
12. Newzoo Global Games Market Report (2023) https://newzoo.com/insights/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2023
13. American Intellectual Property Law Association Economic Survey (2023) https://www.aipla.org/detail/journal-issue/economic-survey-2023
14. Thomson Reuters Institute Legal Market Report (2023) https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/institute.html
15. Robotics Industries Association Market Analysis (2022) https://www.robotics.org/market-analysis
16. Association for Computing Machinery Ethics Survey (2023) https://www.acm.org/publications
17. Aerospace Industries Association Industry Facts & Figures (2023) https://www.aia-aerospace.org/research-resources/
18. Journal of Aerospace Engineering Regulatory Impact Study (2022) https://ascelibrary.org/journal/jaeeez
19. Nature Quantum Computing Expert Survey (2023) https://www.nature.com/subjects/quantum-computing
20. IEEE Quantum Computing Reproducibility Analysis (2022) https://www.computer.org/csdl/journal/qc
21. International Game Developers Association Developer Satisfaction Survey (2023) https://igda.org/resources/developer-satisfaction-survey/
22. International Bar Association Global Technology Regulation Survey (2023) https://www.ibanet.org/
23. LinkedIn Emerging Jobs Report (2023) https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/resources/talent-intelligence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHoEjvuPoB8

https://www.codementor.io/@bhavinjawade/quantum-computing-qavj28wc1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4xCR20Dh1E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qndz54SGCAs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExfLBIZwRpo

https://youtu.be/Z3yQHYNXPws?si=GiGdfk0jhMu8o5NA

https://youtu.be/wSHmygPQukQ?si=D5fVhde8W30CHxq-

https://physicsworld.com/a/quantum-computers-take-on-quarks/

https://www.codementor.io/@bhavinjawade/quantum-computing-qavj28wc1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYSfcgVv9-U

To listen to the full conversation, and others like it, subscribe to Tech Unlocked Podcast on your app of choice:

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🫡 DISCLAIMER: This content is based on my personal opinion and research

In Episode 98, Grace sits down with Karen Ngo, a highly successful Communications Manager at Microsoft. Karen shares her inspiring career journey, revealing how she landed her dream role despite lacking prior communications experience.

During the conversation, Karen provides invaluable insights into the key skills and qualities required for success in today's tough job market. She also unveils her unique approach to career development: the "Career Walking Deck," a powerful tool for showcasing your skills, building your network, and landing your next big opportunity.

Don't miss this insightful episode packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to break into the tech industry or level up their career.

Karen Ngo's personal philosophy is growing 1% everyday through finding inspiration to share with the world. She is passionate about career development and has a blog kkarenism.com that is ranked #1 on Google/Bing for "career walking decks" and has helped thousands of job seekers with their career development through services like Resume Rescue. In her day job, Karen is a CEO Communications Manager at Microsoft where she drives operational excellence across the Office of the CEO and partners with global teams and senior stakeholders on CEO events and communications.

🎯 Connect with Karen: linkedin.com/in/karenkngo | kkarenism.com

💡 Connect with Grace:

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In this episode, Grace uncovers how a small Chinese AI startup is challenging Silicon Valley's AI dominance and dives into:

• How DeepSeek outperformed billion-dollar AI models
• Why Nvidia's stock is feeling the heat
• Why we need to invest in AI education
• DeepSeek Vs ChatGPT

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✨ Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips and tech news:

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🧐SOURCES:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEBiebbeNCA&t=4s

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/01/27/nvidia-calls-chinas-deepseek-r1-model-an-excellent-ai-advancement.html

https://www.credaily.com/briefs/amazon-to-invest-100-billion-usd-in-ai-data-centers-over-next-decade/

https://x.com/apompliano/status/1883897871168311375?s=46

When tech companies consistently prioritize profits over people or try to cut corners on safety and ethical practices, it erodes trust and ultimately undermines the very foundation of our democracy .

From #meta cutting its fact-checking team to TikTok's potential demise in the US, this episode uncovers the hidden connections behind today's biggest tech headlines like:

- Meta's mass layoffs and fact-checker purge

- TikTok's looming US ban and the surprising rise of RedNote

- The silent dismantling of DEI programs across Big Tech

In episode 96, Grace breaks down recent alarming tech trends and reveals 3 crucial lessons for tech workers and content creators navigating this new landscape. Discover how these changes impact your digital rights and learn strategies to protect your online presence.

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Questions about sponsorship? Email us [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: This video is based on my personal opinion and research.

SOURCES:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58719674

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/23/congress-passes-tiktok-ban-biden-china/73424172007/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/15/these-billionaires-companies-and-investors-elon-musk-frank-mccourt-and-more-could-buy-tiktok-as-ban-looms/

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/04/nx-s1-5248299/cartoonist-quits-wapo-over-bezos-trump-cartoon-washingtonpost

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/15/donald-trump-tiktok-ban/77724323007/

https://about.fb.com/news/2025/01/meta-more-speech-fewer-mistakes/

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/meta-end-diversity-programs-ahead-trump-inauguration-2025-01-10/

https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/17/tiktok-ceo-responds-to-trump-thanks-him-for-trying-to-solve-us-ban/

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5260742/tiktok-china-rednote-xiaohongshu-app

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/15/republicans-dei-la-fires-00198551

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/10/nx-s1-5252757/california-wildfires-dei-diversity-influencers-firefighters

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meta-dei-programs-mcdonalds-walmart-ford-diversity/

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/10/meta-dei-programs-employees-trump

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1225172096

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2025/01/14/what-the-tiktok-ban-means-for-your-business/

https://x.com/jason/status/1876767521912897540?s=46

https://babylonbee.com/news/guy-who-said-facebook-was-not-suppressing-free-speech-announces-facebook-will-stop-suppressing-free-speech

https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-zuckerberg-board-members-dana-white-199436c62c934ebb751b564f874ad2f6

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4988461-meta-antitrust-case-ftc/amp/

https://www.businessinsider.com/low-performer-label-meta-microsoft-layoffs-impact-recruiters-experts-2025-1

https://fortune.com/2025/01/15/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-mark-zuckerberg-intern-facebook/

https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-buyers-divestment-ban-8429dfb422c4cefb6b0807aeb2c5cd56

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/15/republicans-dei-la-fires-00198551

https://time.com/7206543/the-los-angeles-fires-have-nothing-to-do-with-dei/

https://x.com/armankhon/status/1880647301494132930?s=46

The tech job market in 2025 isn't what you think. Before you send another application, you NEED to know these crucial changes in tech hiring. Is it too late to work in tech in 2025? The answer is much more complex than you think. In Episode 95, Grace shares 3 brutal truths and tips for those who want to find a tech job in 2025.

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💫Communities:

https://www.pocitjobs.com/entry

https://www.diversifytech.com/hire

https://www.colorstack.org/

https://www.edlyft.com/

https://dev.to/

Questions about sponsorship? Email us [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: This video is based on my personal experience and research. Results may vary.

2025 is going to be a chaotic and entertaining year in technology. From layoffs to the potential increase of H-1B visas. Grace shares her top 5 prediction for tech careers in 2025.

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

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Enjoyed listening to this episode? Please leave a review on Apple and Spotify. Questions about sponsorship? Email us [email protected]

Sources:

https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/state-of-the-product-job-market-part

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/tech-trends/2025/tech-trends-ai-hardware-and-computation-leading-ai-revolution.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-layoffs-stock-market-reaction-meta-spotify-wall-street-investors-2024-2

https://creatoreconomy.so/p/why-is-everyone-hating-on-product-managers

https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-layoffs-stock-market-reaction-meta-spotify-wall-street-investors-2024-2

Regardless of your political views, you're probably glad the election season is over. This episode isn't about the presidential election or politics, but it does explore a major domino effect that followed it: the mass exodus from Twitter/X.

In this solo episode, Grace shares the explosive rise of Bluesky, a new platform capturing millions seeking an alternative to Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter). We'll discuss:

• The defining features that set Bluesky apart from its competitors
• The reasons behind the mass migration, fueled by dissatisfaction with X
• The implications of Bluesky's decentralized structure for user control and data ownership
• How Bluesky plans to sustain itself financially while maintaining a user-friendly experience
• The challenges and ethical considerations of decentralized social media

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply curious about the future of online communication, this episode promises to inform and inspire. Discover how Bluesky could reshape our digital interactions and what it means for established platforms like X.

————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sources:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/13/24295484/bluesky-15-million-users-social-media-x-musk

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/16/what-is-bluesky-and-why-are-so-many-people-suddenly-leaving-x-for-the-platform-elon-musk

https://fortune.com/2024/11/14/x-elon-musk-leaving-election-trump-threads-bluesky-social-media-fragmentation/

https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/tech/new-x-terms-and-conditions-leads-to-exodus-of-users/

https://www.newsweek.com/celebrities-leaving-x-elon-curtis-midler-lemon-trump-election-win-twitter-1985578

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/bluesky-status-elon-musk-explaine-b2647724.html

https://www.zdnet.com/article/now-you-can-watch-blueskys-explosive-user-growth-in-real-time/

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Enjoyed listening to this episode? Please leave a review on Apple and Spotify. Questions about sponsorship? Email us [email protected]