Tech Unlocked

Tired of being overlooked for promotions and feeling hesitant to discuss your accomplishments? Join us as Grace chats with Shailvi Wakhlu, a seasoned Data Leader with over 17 years of experience building successful teams and impactful technology products.

Shailvi, a former Salesforce, Fitbit, and Strava executive, has shared her expertise at countless conferences, coached hundreds of individuals, and authored the best-selling book "Self-Advocacy." In this episode, she'll share her career journey and practical tips to help you:

• Negotiate effectively: Learn the art of confident communication and secure the deals you deserve.
• Navigate complex conversations: Overcome challenges and advocate for your ideas with ease.
• Land coveted promotions, raises, and new opportunities: Discover the strategies that can propel your tech career forward.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your tech career to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you become a confident and successful self-advocate!

Connect With Shailvi: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ShailviWakhlu/

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ3GXN45

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

“Everybody in the world is now a programmer. This is the miracle of artificial intelligence.” - Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia

If everyone is a programmer, is it still worth studying computer science or becoming a software engineer? While Jesen’s statement is true to some degree. It doesn’t mean that tech jobs are all going away because of AI. In today’s episode, Grace shares 5 tech jobs that can't be replace by AI.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pm2xEViNIo&t=129s

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/tools-practices

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

Getting a mentor is not the answer to your career problems but if you're looking to elevate your mentorship experience there are a few important things to keep in mind. In this episode, Grace shares the common myths about mentorship, how to find the right mentors for your career growth, 3 types of mentors you need, how to evaluate your mentorship relationships and how to gracefully end a mentorship that is no longer necessary.

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

In today's competitive tech job market, where positions can attract over 100 applicants in just a few hours, simply submitting applications and hoping for the best isn't enough. In this episode, Grace offers 3 key strategies to help you stand out and succeed in your job search.

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

Feeling uncertain about your career path can be daunting. But don't worry—you're not alone! If you're contemplating a career change and unsure of your next steps, this throwback episode is a must-listen. 

Join Grace as she shares 3 practical tips to help you conquer career uncertainty and confidently navigate your professional journey. From embracing the unknown to taking actionable steps, this episode is packed with valuable insights to empower your career decisions. 

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Website: www.techunlocked.co

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

What's the safest job in tech and is it layoff proof? In today's episode, I chat with  Ilhan Jama. She shares her non tradtional path from med school to working in technology. Ilhan is a Cybersecurity engineer, Content creator, and the founder of Unlearningx. She's passionate about creating accessibility in Tech as well as breaking down barriers to entry. Driven by the ethos of 'unlearning to relearn,' ilhan's commitment to community-building and mentorship makes her a key figure in shaping an accessible and inclusive future in tech.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• How Ilhan transitioned from the medical industry to the tech industry
• Skills needed to thrive in cybersecurity
• Common misconceptions about cybersecurity
• Online resources to help you grow you cybersecurity skills
• How to network and create a resume that make you stand out in the job search

Connect with Ilhan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilhan-jama

https://x.com/theilhanjama

https://instagram.com/theilhanjama/

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Website: www.techunlocked.co

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

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

As an introvert, I hate to put my personal business out there on the internet but I think my past career mistakes can save your tech career which is why I am revealing some of my career regrets. In this episode, I share my biggest career regrets after 5+ years working in big tech as a Cloud Engineer. Learn from my mistakes so you can grow and thrive in your tech career.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to become visible at your job & have high impact
• The importants of having internal informationals
• How to prep for interview while you’re still employed
• What to talk about with Skip manger during your 1:1 meetings
• The most important finically decision to make early in your career
• How to overcome imposter syndrome

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Website: www.techunlocked.co

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

In 2024, you shouldn’t be paying for tech conferences especially in this crazy economy. In this solo episode, I share 5 easy ways for you to attend any tech conference for free especially if you are looking into breaking into tech as a student or working professional. I have attended over 150+ tech events/conferences for free ranging from a student to a tech professional and I will show you how you can do it too.

Key Takeaways:

• 5 ways to attend tech conferences for free
• Pros and Cons of attending tech conferences
• The best way to get a job or an interview at a tech conference
• How to prep before attending your first tech conferences

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Website: www.techunlocked.co

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

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

The software engineer (SWE) to product manager (PM) pipeline is strong in 2024 but does that mean it is a sign for YOU to make that transition? If you’ve thought about what it takes to become a product manager then this is the perfect episode for you. In this episode I chat with Cherita Ousley who is a product manager at microsoft about what it take to sucessfully transtion from SWE to PM. She demystifies the role of a PM and gives you keys to unlock a successful career as a PM.

Cherita Ousley is a multi-faceted professional, blending her roles as a fitness coach and product manager in the tech industry. With a strong passion for promoting healthy living, she advocates for wellness through fitness, mindfulness, and spirituality. Cherita believes that a balanced lifestyle, encompassing physical health and emotional intelligence, is essential for personal fulfillment and productivity. Her approach to leadership is marked by kindness, empathy, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact and forging genuine connections.

In this episode we talked about:

• how cherita went from kinesiology to software engineering (SWE)
• if coding boot camps are still worth it in 2024?
• pros and cons of coding boot camps 
• the hardest part about transitioning into tech with a non technical SWE background
• the challenges of working in tech without a CS degree 
• how to know when it’s time to switch from SWE to PM in your career 
• what to do before switching to a PM
• the difference between the mindset of PM vs SWE
• the day to day lifestyle of a PM 
• how to build your professional career & network in tech

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Website: www.techunlocked.co

Instagram: @techunlockedpod

Twitter: @techunlockedpod

TikTok: @techunlockedpod

Connect with Grace:

Instagram: @gracemacjonez

Linkedin: Grace Macjones

Connect with Cherita: 

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/cheritaousley

PM Resources:

https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818

https://www.youtube.com/@tryexponent

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

This is part 2 of a conversation about the future of tech jobs & DEI  with Brenda Darden Wilkerson the current President and CEO of AnitaB.org, a global nonprofit organization that connects, inspires, and strives for greater equality for women and non-binary technologists in business, academia, and government.

In this episode we talk about:

-How to manage your mental health & burn out working in tech

-How Brenda got her current job as a CEO of AnitaB.org

-The importance of being part of tech community 

-How to position yourself for the future of tech jobs/careers

Connect with Brenda:

LinkedIn.com/in/Brenda-Darden-Wilkerson

Learn more about Grace Hopper: Grace Hopper Celebration 2024 (GHC 24) will be in Philadelphia, PA on October 8-11 (https://ghc.anitab.org/)

Connect with Grace:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacjones/

Follow Tech Unlocked for more career tips:

Instagram: @techunlockedpod 

TikTok: @techunlockedpod 

Connect with Grace:

Linkedin: Grace Macjones