Working In Tech

Working In Tech

By juwonthetechieTechnology
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Working In Tech episodes

  • Ep 50 - How to Become An Account Executive with Khalil Simmons

    What does it take to sell tech products for Google? Listen to find out.

    The #WorkingInTech series follows the career journeys of thriving tech professionals. We unpack their career stories to turn lessons learned into useful tips to help you make winning career moves.
    On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Khalil Simmons. Khalil is a digital marketing professional with over 5 years of experience at Google. As an Account Strategist, he partners with advertisers to develop strategic, data-driven approaches that scale their businesses and deliver exceptional results.
    Passionate about sales and customer development, Khalil has helped countless businesses achieve transformative growth. He began his career at General Mills, managing the convenience business in Florida, before transitioning to the tech world at Google.
    Khalil will share his journey from traditional retail to digital marketing, insights on crafting innovative solutions for clients, and advice for succeeding in the fast-paced world of digital advertising.
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    CONNECT WITH KHALIL
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalil-l-simmons-0411/
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    2:35 - Why Sales?
    7:24 - Landing a job at Google
    16:45 - Learning Sales Skills
    27:15 - The Role of Account Executive
    40:00 - Building Relationships
    42:45 - Salary in Tech Sales
    46:39 - Going from Sales to Tech Sales
    53:50 - Finding a Mentor
    1:00:30 - Building SPARK CONNECT
    1:02:14 - Final Words
    1:04:50 - Conclusion

    1 hr 6 min
  • Ep 49 - How to Become A Staff Engineering Manager with Anjuan Simmons

    Tech is a team effort, and knowing how to nurture multi-functional teams is what leads to great products.

    On this episode of #WorkinginTech, we're talking to Anjuan. Anjuan is a seasoned software development leader with over two decades of experience. At companies like Accenture and Deloitte, as well as several startups, he's excelled at shipping features customers love while managing healthy teams.
    Passionate about sharing knowledge, Anjuan is an energetic speaker who presents at conferences, universities, and corporations worldwide. He covers topics including leadership, diversity and inclusion, and effective software development practices.
    Anjuan will share his journey leading development teams, his approach to blending corporate rigor with startup agility, and advice for delivering impactful software while nurturing strong teams.
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    CONNECT WITH ANJUAN
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjuan/
    Website: http://www.anjuansimmons.com/
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/anjuan
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anjuan


    CHAPTERS

    0:00 - Intro
    1:00 - Why Tech?
    4:08 - Gaming Inspiring Tech Careers
    7:05 - Breaking into Tech
    12:17 - Learning and Building with People
    25:50 - Job Search Experience
    32:40 - Learning Data
    35:35 - What Makes a Great Resume?
    44:29 - Salary Progression
    49:19 - Doing it Without a Degree
    53:15 - Hiring the Best Candidates
    59:20 - Final Words
    1:01:39 - Conclusion

    1 hr 2 min
  • Ep 48 - How to Become A Brand Strategist with Zaakirah Muhammad

    Passionate about technology since childhood, Zaakirah has impacted numerous individuals and companies across various tech fields. As a cancer survivor and PCOS warrior, she brings a unique perspective to her work.

    Zaakirah will share her journey in HealthTech and photography, keys to empowering entrepreneurs of color, and advice for turning personal challenges into professional strengths.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
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    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH ZAAKIRAH
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaakirahmuhammad/
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    1:20 - Why Tech?
    3:40 - Using Photography as a Tool
    6:10 - Branding Specialist
    8:00 - Finding Flexibility
    11:10 - Storytelling and Networking
    36:20 - Speaking at TedX
    42:11 - Unconventional Paths
    44:30 - Building Resilience
    45:20 - Traveling to Africa
    48:04 - Business and Tech
    50:50 - Building Confidence
    53:17 - Building a Brand
    54:30 - Final Words
    56:55 - Conclusion

    59 min
  • Ep 47 - How to Become A Technical Program Manager with Krista Palmer

    Ready to shift from coding to non-coding roles? Krista's got the blueprint!

    The #WorkingInTech series follows the career journeys of thriving tech professionals. We unpack their career stories to turn lessons learned into useful tips to help you make winning career moves.
    On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Krista, a Technical Program Manager at Google. Krista brings a diverse background in front-end development, product management, scrum mastery, and product ownership to her role at one of tech's biggest companies.
    Passionate about the intersection of design and technology, Krista founded CX with Kris to help professionals transition into technical program management roles. Her expertise in shaping digital experiences that enhance our daily lives stems from her education in both Computer Science and Digital Media from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
    Krista will share her journey from development to program management at Google, insights on blending tech and design, and advice for those looking to pivot their careers in the tech industry.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
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    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
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    CONNECT WITH KRISTA
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krspea/
    Website: http://cxwithkris.com/
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    1:15 - Discovering TPM & Google
    8:30 - Using Stories in Interviews
    17:25 - Taking the Traditional Route
    24:35 - Getting the First Role
    27:37 - Certifications
    36:57 - CX With Kris
    41:07 - Networking
    43:27 - Salary Progression
    45:56 - What Makes A Good Program Manager?
    49:35 - Addressing Competing Priorities or Resources
    51:58 - Switching Between Engineering and Management
    54:09 - Owning the Outcome
    56:00 - Getting Things Done
    58:50 - Final Words
    1:01:40 - Conclusion

    1 hr 4 min
  • Ep 46 - How to Become A UX Researcher with Maleea Kim

    How do companies like Instagram, Duolingo and Spotify create apps that wow their customers every single day? Maleea, a UX Researcher, has the answers.

    On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Maleea Sade Kim. Maleea is a UX Researcher who transitioned into tech after earning degrees in psychology and foreign affairs. With experience in education and digital marketing in South Korea, she brings a unique perspective to the world of user research.
    Passionate about helping others, Maleea leverages her curiosity to challenge norms in UX research. She has gained valuable insights on networking, breaking into tech, and standing out as a UX Researcher.
    Maleea will share her journey transitioning into tech, the keys to successful networking, and advice for those looking to enter the tech space. She'll also discuss how she uses her diverse background to excel in user research and how she gives back through coffee chats in her free time.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH MALEEA
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maleea-s-kim/
    Website: https://uxfol.io/maleeakim
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    0:55 - Why Tech?
    5:50 - Choosing between Design and Research
    10:00 - Working in Korea
    13:00 - Google, Walmart, PayPal
    17:10 - Adapting to Roles
    20:40 - Job Search Strategy and Networking
    43:33 - Salary Progression
    45:00 - Skills and Certifications
    51:43 - Portfolio
    1:02:20 - Final Words
    1:04:45 - Conclusion

    1 hr 6 min
  • Ep 45 - How to Become A Site Reliability Engineer with Bobby Dorlus

    Meet the man that helped build Twitter!

    The #WorkingInTech series follows the career journeys of thriving tech professionals. We unpack their career stories to turn lessons learned into useful tips to help you make winning career moves.
    On Friday 9/20, I’ll be speaking with Bobby Dorlus, a veteran Engineer turned Professional Speaker with over 20 years of experience in technology and engineering. Bobby's expertise lies in site reliability engineering (SRE), with a focus on hyper-scale distributed infrastructure.
    During his impressive 9-year stint at Twitter, Bobby achieved the prestigious title of Staff Engineer, breaking barriers as one of the few Black engineers to reach this level. He'll share his firsthand account of Twitter's technological evolution and its journey towards diversity and inclusion.
    In this episode, Bobby will discuss:
    - His transition from engineering to professional speaking
    - The challenges and triumphs of being a Black engineer in Silicon Valley
    - His current mission with #TheTechHustle to mentor and inspire the next generation of diverse tech talent
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH BOBBY
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-bobby-dorlus/
    The Tech Hustle: http://thetechhustle.com/
    GitHub: https://github.com/bdorlus
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    4:00 - Discovering Tech
    8:30 - Skills over Diplomas
    17:20 - Mentorship and Building Relationships
    22:08 - Tech is Everywhere
    25:38 - Layoffs
    31:00 - Working at Twitter
    49:45 - Planning a Career in Big Tech
    54:00 - Salary Progression
    56:00 - #TheTechHustle59:10 - Final Words
    1:00:55 - Conclusion

    1 hr 2 min
  • Ep 44 - How to Become A Business Strategist with Jevic Muteba

    What do the FBI, PlayStation, and Google all have in common? They all need top talent. And throughout his career, Jevic has been the go-to expert helping companies like these hire the right people, especially Black talent in tech.

    On this episode of #WorkinginTech, we're talking to Jevic Muteba. Jevic is a former NCAA student-athlete who successfully transitioned from basketball to the dynamic world of high-growth tech organizations.

    With over 15 years of experience in Sales, Media, and SaaS, Jevic has developed deep expertise in cultivating vital business partnerships, overseeing contractual agreements, and leading event and vendor procedures. Born in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Jevic has leveraged his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social justice to cultivate strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 companies like Google, FBI, and PlayStation.
    Jevic works closely with teams focused on DEI, Talent Acquisition, Multicultural Event Marketing, and Employer Branding. Jevic will share insights on driving career advancement, enhancing brand visibility, improving talent acquisition strategies, and bolstering employee retention, especially for Black Talent in Tech.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
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    IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH JEVIC
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevicmuteba/
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    1:20 - Why Tech?
    4:20 - Scaling Up
    6:40 - Putting in the Work
    12:45 - Talent Development
    16:20 - Networking
    21:55 - Building Curiosity
    28:35 - Job Search and Building Value
    49:55 - Salary Progression
    53:40 - Future of Tech
    55:57 - Entryway
    57:50 - Jevic’s Podcast
    59:30 - Final Words
    1:00:33 - Conclusion

    1 hr 2 min
  • Ep 43 - How to Become A Technical Consultant with Jonathan Exume

    How do you build teams for the biggest tech companies?

    On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Jonathan Exume. Jonathan is a technical consultant with a focus on building teams that align personal and company goals. With experience in various technologies including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Blockchain, Networking, Agile, Cloud Computing, and Python, Jonathan brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

    As a Fractional CTO at HBCUMADE and Technical Consultant at Exumatron, Jonathan has led projects that improved collaboration, knowledge growth, and client satisfaction. His expertise is backed by Google and Microsoft Cloud certifications, a degree in Information Systems, and an MBA in Health Science.
    Jonathan will share his journey in tech consulting, strategies for building high-performing teams, and advice for aligning personal aspirations with organizational objectives in the tech industry.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH JONATHAN
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanexume/
    Website: http://linktr.ee/iamjon77
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    3:40 - Growing out of Adversity
    16:04 - Self-motivation
    28:10 - Building a Career in Tech
    40:45 - MBA
    45:00 - Helping the Community
    55:00 - Getting into Project Management and Certifications
    1:04:35 - Building a Network
    1:12:45 - BioTech Projects
    1:17:55 - Final Words
    1:21:00 - Conclusion

    1 hr 22 min
  • Ep 42 - How to Become An AI & Robotics Specialist with Terrence Southern

    Have you ever met someone who builds robots for a living? Well, you're in luck.

    On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Terrence Southern. Terrence is a Robotics, Automation & Artificial Intelligence Specialist with 25 years of experience. As the CEO of Robotopia, he’s implemented robotic solutions for Fortune 100 companies around the globe, installing over 2,000 robots on various projects.
    Terrence is also the leader and podcast host of the BlerdOut Movement and the founder of Illuminate STEM. His work in the industry and community has earned him numerous awards, and today he’ll share his insights on robotics, AI, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH TERRENCE
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrencesouthern/
    Website: http://www.terrencesouthern.com/
    CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    2:00 - Discovering Robotics
    10:50 - Taking Advantage of an Internship
    17:10 - Balancing Confidence and Humility
    20:50 - Staying Motivated
    25:45 - IoT in Robotics
    27:45 - Self-learning Robotics
    33:30 - Top 3 Skills
    40:00 - Making Tech Flashy
    45:30 - Best Entry Level Path
    51:05 - Nature or Nurture
    58:20 - AI Boom
    1:00:20 - Final Words
    1:01:35 - Conclusion

    1 hr 3 min
  • Ep 41 - How to Become A Customer Success Manager with Chris Tazewell

    Is AI the future of sales? Discover the answer this Thursday with Chris Tazewell, a seasoned Customer Success expert.

    On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Chris Tazewell. Chris is a Program Manager of Customer Success with over seven years of experience in sales, solution delivery, and portfolio management. He's a strategic leader known for building high-performing teams and fostering inclusive work environments.

    Passionate about developing emerging leaders, Chris is a certified change management practitioner and a champion for diversity and inclusion. He's a 4x President's Club Award winner, recognized for delivering outstanding results and leveraging AI to drive business growth.
    Today, Chris will share his journey in customer success, strategies for building inclusive sales teams, and insights on using AI to drive business growth. He'll also discuss navigating organizational transformations and the transformative power of customer success in tech.
    𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie
    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie
    CONNECT WITH CHRIS
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christazewell/
    CHAPTERS
    1:40 - Why Tech?
    8:50 - Battling Impostor Syndrome
    14:20 - Sports in Tech
    19:00 - Networking
    33:10 - Top 3 Skills
    44:10 - Leadership
    48:50 - AI in CSM
    52:10 - Sales and CSM
    53:38 - Public Speaking
    1:00:33 - Final Words
    1:01:31 - Conclusion

    1 hr 2 min

About Working In Tech

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Working in Tech Podcast, where industry professionals in cybersecurity, DevOps, cloud computing, project management, product management, data analytics, UX design, Scrum, and more come to share their invaluable insights. If you're a tech newbie, this podcast is your guide to starting a new career in tech.