The Career Change Podcast with Fexingo: Switching Fields, Bootcamps, and Reskilling

Episode 96 of The Career Change Podcast with Fexingo tackles the number-one question from bootcamp grads: how do you build a portfolio that actually lands interviews, not just compliments? Lucas and Luna tear down the myth that more projects equals better results. Instead, they focus on depth over breadth: one strong, documented project that shows real problem-solving, testing, and iteration. They walk through a concrete example — a bootcamp grad who built a tool for a local nonprofit — and explain why that project got her hired at a mid-sized SaaS company over candidates with five generic apps. Expect practical advice on choosing the right project, structuring your README, writing case studies, and using GitHub's profile README to tell a story. No fluff, no platitudes. Just a framework you can apply this weekend.

#PortfolioBuilding #BootcampGrads #TechPortfolio #CareerChange #GitHub #CodingBootcamp #JobSearch #InterviewTips #TechJobs #NonprofitProject #PortfolioDepth #ProjectShowcase #HiringManager #TechCareer #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheCareerChangePodcast

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Lucas and Luna help bootcamp grads navigate the tricky path to their first tech internship. They discuss why internships are valuable even for career-changers, how to find opportunities that don't require current college enrollment, and specific strategies like targeting startups and using portfolio projects in lieu of GPA requirements. The episode features a detailed look at how one bootcamp grad landed a data internship at a Series A startup by cold-emailing the CTO with a free data audit. The hosts also cover timing, application tips, and how to make the most of a short-term internship to get a full-time offer. If you're a bootcamp grad who thought internships were only for college students, this episode will change your mind.

#BootcampGrads #TechInternships #CareerChange #Reskilling #DataInternship #StartupJobs #ColdEmailing #PortfolioProjects #SeriesA #TechCareers #FirstTechJob #JobsWithoutDegree #CareerPivot #Networking #InterviewTips #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CareerAdvice

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In this episode of The Career Change Podcast, Lucas and Luna break down the transition from coding bootcamp into Technical Program Management (TPM). They use the real example of a former bootcamp grad named Dana who moved from a junior dev role at a midsize SaaS company into a TPM role at a fintech firm. Lucas explains the three core skills bootcamp grads already have—system thinking, stakeholder management from group projects, and agile familiarity—and how to reframe them for TPM interviews. Luna pushes back on the idea that TPM requires a CS degree, and they discuss specific ways to build credibility, like owning a cross-functional project at your current job. They also talk about the difference between TPM and product management, and why TPM can be a better fit for people who love execution over strategy. No fluff, just a clear playbook for a pivot that many bootcamp grads overlook.

#TechnicalProgramManagement #BootcampGrads #CareerPivot #CareerChange #TechCareers #TPM #ProjectManagement #Agile #StakeholderManagement #CrossFunctional #Fintech #SaaS #Dana #Bootcamp #Reskilling #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into specific strategies for bootcamp graduates to optimize their GitHub profile to attract recruiters and hiring managers. They discuss the importance of consistent contributions, project documentation, README files, and leveraging GitHub as a portfolio. Lucas shares a concrete example of a developer who got hired at a mid-size tech company by structuring their profile around three key projects with clear commit history and community engagement. The hosts also cover how to use pinned repositories, badges, and contribution graphs effectively. The episode provides actionable tips without overwhelming the listener, emphasizing quality over quantity. They also touch on how to handle gaps in contributions and the role of open source contributions in signaling collaboration skills.

#GitHub #BootcampGrads #CareerChange #TechPortfolio #JobSearch #CodingBootcamp #DeveloperPortfolio #OpenSource #GitHubProfile #TechHiring #ResumeTips #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #CareerAdvice #TechCareers #JobHunt

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Episode 92 of The Career Change Podcast focuses on one of the most overlooked skills for bootcamp graduates entering the remote workforce: negotiating contract terms beyond just the hourly rate. Lucas and Luna break down the specific tactics used by a former bootcamp grad who landed a six-month contract with a fintech startup in mid-2026. They discuss how to leverage competing offers, negotiate for equity clawbacks, and structure payment milestones. The episode includes a real-world example of a data engineering contractor who negotiated a 20 percent rate increase plus a completion bonus by framing the conversation around project scope rather than personal need. Listeners will learn three concrete moves they can make before signing their next remote contract.

#BootcampGrads #RemoteWork #ContractNegotiation #FreelanceTips #TechCareers #RateNegotiation #Fintech #DataEngineering #EquityClawback #PaymentMilestones #CareerChange #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers #Reskilling #NegotiationSkills #RemoteContracts #JobOffer

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Episode 91 of The Career Change Podcast explores how bootcamp graduates can build a freelance consulting practice without a traditional tech background. Lucas and Luna break down the case of a former coding bootcamp student who landed her first paid consulting gig by packaging a specific skill—migrating small businesses from legacy CRM systems to modern tools like HubSpot or Salesforce. They discuss how to identify high-value, low-friction problems that small business owners will pay for, how to price your first engagement, and why starting with a single industry vertical can reduce the learning curve. The episode also covers common pitfalls like scope creep and imposter syndrome when transitioning from salaried employment to project-based work. If you've completed a bootcamp and are tired of the standard job pipeline, this episode offers a concrete roadmap to an alternative path—one that gives you more control over your time, your clients, and your income. No fluff, just actionable steps from someone who's done it.

#FreelanceConsulting #BootcampGrads #CareerPivot #SideHustle #TechConsulting #SmallBusiness #CRM #ScopeCreep #ImposterSyndrome #PricingStrategy #HubSpot #Salesforce #FreelanceTips #TechCareers #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheCareerChangePodcast

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore an often-overlooked career pivot for bootcamp graduates: tech recruiting. They break down why coding bootcamp alumni have a natural advantage in technical sourcing and screening, using real examples from companies like Google and Meta. Lucas shares specific strategies—targeting startups in Series A or B rounds, leveraging alumni networks, and using tools like LinkedIn Recruiter—while Luna challenges the assumption that recruiting is a step backward. They discuss salary expectations, the importance of empathy in the hiring process, and how to frame your technical background as a superpower. By the end, listeners will understand how to position themselves for recruiting roles that pay $80,000 to over $100,000 in the current market, and how to find teams that value technical insight over traditional HR experience. This episode is for bootcamp grads who want a high-impact role without writing code all day.

#TechRecruiting #CareerChange #BootcampGrads #Careers #Reskilling #JobSearch #LinkedIn #Startups #Hiring #TechnicalRecruiter #SalaryNegotiation #AlumniNetworks #Google #Meta #SeriesA #SeriesB #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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Episode 89 of The Career Change Podcast explores a path many bootcamp grads overlook: sales engineering and customer-facing technical roles. Lucas and Luna break down why technical sales is a natural fit for coders who like people — using the case of a former bootcamp grad named Priya who joined Salesforce as a solutions engineer in 2025. They walk through the specific skills bootcamp grads already have (demoing, debugging on the fly, translating jargon) and what they need to learn (discovery call frameworks, CRM admin, pipeline math). They also discuss the compensation structure: base salary plus variable commission, which can push total comp past $150,000 within two years. No cold-calling required. The episode includes a candid moment about how listener support via Buy Me a Coffee keeps the show ad-free and independent.

#CareerChange #BootcampGrads #SalesEngineering #SolutionsEngineering #TechnicalSales #Reskilling #Salesforce #PriyaStory #DemoSkills #DiscoveryCalls #CRM #Commission #BuyMeACoffee #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers #TransitionToSales #CustomerFacingRoles

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Episode 88 of The Career Change Podcast dives into product management as a viable next step for bootcamp graduates. Lucas and Luna break down the specific skills bootcamp grads already have—like technical literacy, user empathy, and agile workflow experience—that map directly to PM roles. They discuss the common misconception that PM requires a CS degree or years of experience, and offer concrete steps: how to frame your bootcamp project as product experience, which PM certifications actually matter, and how to find your first PM mentor inside your current company. The episode also covers the trade-offs: PM roles can mean less hands-on coding and more stakeholder management. Lucas shares data from a 2025 product school survey showing that 23 percent of new PM hires came from non-traditional backgrounds, including bootcamps. Luna pushes back on the idea that PM is a 'glorified note-taker' and argues that bootcamp grads' ability to speak both engineer and business is their superpower. The hosts use a real example: a former bootcamp grad who moved from a front-end role into a PM role at a mid-size SaaS company in under 18 months.

#ProductManagement #BootcampGrads #CareerChange #TechCareers #PMTransition #Reskilling #TechJobs #ProductManager #Agile #StakeholderManagement #UserResearch #Certifications #CareerPivot #BootcampToPM #SaaS #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how coding bootcamp graduates can pivot into cybersecurity roles, a field with over 400,000 unfilled positions in the US. They discuss why the human element—understanding how attackers think—matters more than deep technical chops, using the 2023 Okta breach as a case study. Lucas shares the story of a former marketing professional who transitioned into security after a bootcamp by focusing on identity and access management. They cover practical steps like earning the CompTIA Security+ certification, contributing to open-source security tools, and networking at BSides conferences. Luna asks whether a dedicated cybersecurity bootcamp is necessary, and Lucas explains why a general coding background plus targeted self-study can be surprisingly effective. If you're a bootcamp grad looking for a high-demand niche with less competition than front-end development, this episode offers a concrete roadmap.

#BootcampGrads #Cybersecurity #CareerPivot #CompTIA #SecurityPlus #OktaBreach #IdentityAccessManagement #IAM #BSides #OpenSource #InfoSec #Careers #Reskilling #TechJobs #ZeroTrust #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CareerChangePodcast

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