cuSTEM Journeys: Recent Episodes
Andrew Baines & Eliseo Iglesias
The cuSTEM journeys podcast aims to educate, expose, and empower Black and Latino students and young adults to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professions. We also showcase Black and Latino voices in STEM and provide actionable steps students can take to pursue their careers in STEM fields.
From having no experience in tech to now being a Talent Strategy and Engagement Lead for apprenticeships, Kara Gooch shares her story on how she climbed from being an apprentice to now a leader in the tech industry. She tells all the details of the difficulty juggling being a mom and an apprentice, networking to the top, and how she always improves in her career.
In EP 77 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast we follow Kara on her journey as a single mom moving cross country and changing the trajectory of her family's life by getting into Tech.
Where you can Find Kara:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klassykonnection/
Kara.Gooch20@gmail.com
Her own Podcast: "Verses to Values"
Find More Entry-level jobs that don't require experience:
noexperiencejobs.io
Meet a Recruiter & Get Resume Reviewed:
https://i5218d4ud3u.typeform.com/to/oH8wjSAS
Here are 5 mistakes to avoid if you want to grow your career!
You can get as many degrees and certifications as you want, but none of it matters if you make these mistakes:
- Don't focus on adding value to a company
- Don't practice self-promotion
- Don't go OUTSIDE: conferences, networking events, meetups
- Don't shoot your shot
- Don't build valuable relationships
Find Remote Entry-level jobs that don't require experience:
noexperiencejobs.io
Meet a Recruiter & Get Resume Reviewed:
https://i5218d4ud3u.typeform.com/to/oH8wjSAS
In Ep 74 of the cuSTEM Journeys Podcast features Experienced Tech Pro William A. Adams. He reveals $500K Salary & How He Created Microsoft Leap program.
The Microsoft Leap program is one of the most popular Tech Apprenticeship programs. Tech Apprenticeship programs hire non-traditional employees and help them learn on the job while getting paid.
During this unique conversation we discuss William's personal career journey, how he co-founded the Microsoft Leap program, his thoughts on AI, and his entrepreneurial endeavors.
William A. Adams: https://www.william-a-adams.com/
Microsoft Leap: https://leap.microsoft.com/en-US/
Timestamps
0:00 Podcast Intro
1:03 Podcast Start
2:26 What have you been up to since you left Microsoft?
3:48 William's End goal for his new business ventures.
6:10 Williams Thoughts on AI
10:12 When William Left Microsoft and How AI is Affecting Companies
12:35 The Future of Programmers and how to stay ahead of the game
22:28 Williams Career Journey Start
24:47 Story of Microsoft Leap
29:04 What gave William Passion to Pursue and focus on Microsoft Leap
34:22 The difficulty of Getting Microsoft Leap off the Ground
36:21 How Microsoft Leap got into Africa and it's success
38:37 How Microsoft Leap influenced Other Companies
39:17 How was the program for Hiring Managers and Employees
42:12 William's Masterplan with Microsoft Leap
43:35 The possible change of Corporations as we know it
48:53 How you change mindsets and get people to see the success in diversity
50:22 Early Career Advice
54:12 Williams Hot take on Early Careers
57:04 Earnings of William throughout his career
1:03:59 The ACTUAL Start and Key to building wealth
1:06:45 Start of Repeat After Me Segment
1:10:34 Conclusion of Podcast
Episode 73 of the cuSTEM Journeys Podcast features an exclusive interview, dive deep into essential tips directly from an experienced recruiter at Williams. During this special interview Leonelle Thompson reviews resumes, meets with job seekers, and gives key steps for improving your chances of landing a job at Williams or any other employer.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Gain invaluable insights into the recruiter's perspective on what makes a candidate stand out during interviews.
Explore the recruiter's expert advice on effectively positioning yourself for success in today's competitive job market.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at a live resume review, uncovering the recruiter's top tips for crafting a standout resume.
🎥 Don't miss out on this career-changing interview! Hit play now and empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate the job market confidently. Your dream job awaits! 🌟
Williams: https://www.williams.com/
Leonelle Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonellethompson/
Timecodes
00:00 cuSTEM Journeys Intro
01:05 Podcast Start
3:40 Leonelle's Story
6:00 What Leonelle Did in College for Students.
10:09 What and who does Leonelle Look for In Recruiting.
12:45 What are the Biggest Opportunity in Recruiting?
16:10 Where to Find these job opportunities at Williams.
17:55 What does Williams Look for In Early Job Candidates?
21:20 Segement 2
22:10 Resume Review 1
26:40 Resume Review 2
29:54 Segment 3
30:48 Sports Intermission
31:34 Guest 1
34:09 Guest 1 Conversation and Advice
38:45 Guest 1 Resume Review
42:18 Guest 2
42:47 Guest 2 Resume Review
48:02 Guest 2 Conversation and Advice
50:02 Required and Preferred? Job Experience Advice
54:28 Guest 2 Resume Review Cont.
57:24 When is the best time to go look for jobs and talk to recruiters?
1:00:00 Not Everyone shows up for Internships....and why you should "apply apply apply".
1:01:41 Final Resume Review
1:05:14 The Only Personal Contact Info You Need in your Resume.
1:05:59 The Biggest Takeaway/Summary from this Episodes.
1:07:23 If you want to be a guest!
1:07:44 Outro
Ep 71 Spotlights Justin Lucas, Senior Engineering Manager at MLB.
During this interview Justin describes going from No Degree to MLB Tech Leader, winning a Mercedes Benz in a Hackathon, and Alternative Paths to Tech Success!
Justin shares his story of juggling parenthood and a passion for technology, leading to him finding alternative paths to tech success.
Hackathon Triumph: Discover how Justin's skills led him to victory in a hackathon, earning him a Mercedes Benz CLA! 🏆🚗
MLB Tech Leadership: From no degree to managing technology for Major League Baseball, Justin's journey is a testament to alternative pathways in tech success.
đź”— Connect with Justin Lucas:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeas14/
Subscribe to our newsletter:
https://i5218d4ud3u.typeform.com/to/HWyu5Zgx
This podcast entails enlightening dialogues with Tyrone Hill, Staff Silicone Architect at Google, and Andrew Baines, another experienced engineer. The prominent discussions are themed around their career evolution, experiences at Google and Intel, and insights into technological dynamics like silicon chip design and the ongoing 'chip wars'.
Apart from providing key insights into navigating the corporate world, the discussions also probe into practical aspects like work-life balance, cost of living in tech hubs, compensation structures, and unique strategies for salary negotiation. They delve into potential career paths in tech, the underrepresentation of Blacks and Latinos in the sector and propose potential remedies. Listeners are also encouraged to seek mentorship by connecting with Tyrone on LinkedIn. These rich narratives serve both new and seasoned job seekers, inspiring holistic understanding of the tech industry.
Interested in becoming a Cloud Engineer or Linux System Administrator? In ep. 68, Jubee Vilceus shares how he created YellowTail Tech, how he is helping people become Linux System Administrators and Cloud Engineers in as little as 6-9 months, how and why you should make the career change.
Learn more about Yellow Tail Tech and check out there website here (affiliate link):
https://yellowtail.tech/youtube-andrewbaines/
Sign-up for my Weekly Newsletter to receive interesting job postings every week:
subscribepage.io/ZNWqQk
In episode 67, Amazon Software Engineer, Brisan Brown, shares how she became a Software Engineer by completing an apprenticeship program. She also shares how much money she's makes and why you should NOT get into Tech just to make a bunch of money!
0:00 Hook
2:11 First Amazon Engineering Project
5:11 Overcoming the Most Challenging Part Of Engineering
8:27 Worst Part of Software Engineering
13:02 Salary as Software Engineering Apprentice
15:41 OnRamp Interview Process
21:57 Importance of Soft Skills
25:23 Did Computer Science Degree Help You Be a Good Engineer
32:16 Red Pill vs Blue Pill
36:07 What Set Brisan Apart from Competition
37:40 Best Programing Language to Start With
In Ep. 66, Tunde Agboke shares his unique journey to becoming Director of Government and how he makes Tech accessible for all. At HP, Tunde works with Government officials and other Tech companies to advocate for laws that make tech accessible via educational opportunities and tech apprenticeships.
🚨 Like, Share, and Subscribe - You don't wan't to miss this content!
0:00 Intro
2:32 Impacting Govt. Policy While at HP
6:36 Is HP serious about making tech accessible
19:03 HP Programs & Apprenticeships
27:35 National Apprenticeship Act & Jobs Act
30:33 Tunde's Football Journey
37:59 From Football to PR
48:52 Family's Response to Tunde's Unique Journey
55:50 Framing Transferrable Skills
1:08:32 Upcoming HP Programs
1:13:43 Funding for Apprenticeship Programs
1:16:35 Nobody Does It By Themself
Ben Bartolome shares his journey from Data Scientist to Bootstrapping his startup walkthrough.co
Tune in to Episode 65 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast if you are interested in becoming a Data Analyst, Data Scientist, or Startup Founder.Â
Subscribe to my newsletter to receive data scientist and other stem job opportunities and content directly to your email
Weekly Newsletter:Â
subscribepage.io/ZNWqQk
Check out Ben's Startup:Â
walkthrough.co
0:00 Data Science Intro
2:09 walkthrough.co Elevator Pitch
5:54 Data Analytics vs Data Science
8:27 Data Scientist at Navy Federal Credit Union
16:57 Data Scientist Salary
22:11 Story of Walkthrough.co
35:53 Building an app if you're non-technical founder
38:56 Build a MVP first
44:33 When should you quit your job
47:02 How to bootstrap your startupÂ
50:26 The AWS accelerator
55:54 Exit Strategy
59:52 Financial Planner in Your Pocket
1:00:42 Hardest Part of Being an Entrepreneur
In episode 64 of the cuSTEM Journeys Podcast, Human Factors Engineer Rose Figueroa breaks down some of the prominent accidents she's investigated, how she became a human factors engineer, and how to strategically advance your career.
Rose's LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemariefigueroa/
cuSTEM Journeys Newsletter (complete for exciting jobs & content):Â
subscribepage.io/ZNWqQk
Be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe!
In Ep. 63, Austin Jones explains how to get paid while learning to code. Austin made $98K after joining an apprenticeship program that was hosted by TechElevator and NianticÂ
Tune in to find out more about Austin's journey, what life is like as a Software Engineer at Niantic, and what you can expect if you join Tech Elevator's bootcamp
Be sure to subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for more content.
cuSTEM Journeys Newsletter (jobs & content):Â
subscribepage.io/ZNWqQk
Hear directly from two recruiters from Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) about how to land a job in tech without prior experience.Â
In episode 62 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast, I interviewed Marvina Hamilton and Kayla McLaughlin; two recruiters who focus on early-career and tech recruiting at LFG.Â
Check out this interview to hear recruiters perspective on:
đź‘€ How to land a tech job without experience
🙋🏾‍♂️ What types of questions youÂ
đź“ť What the interview process is like at Lincoln Financial Group
đź’Ľ How to best structure your resume
đź—Ł How to improve your chances of hearing back from a recruiter, and more!
Lincoln Financial's Career Website: https://www.lincolnfinancial.com/public/aboutus/careers
cuSTEM Journeys Newsletter (complete for exciting jobs & content):Â
subscribepage.io/ZNWqQk
Be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe!
0:00 Intro
3:22 What do Recruiters look for in Application Developers
5:48 How to improve your chances of being found by a recruiter
11:21 Do this if you don't have tech experience
13:44 Leveraging customer service experience to land tech job
16:30 Lincoln Financial's interview process
22:45 Importance of Diversity
26:50 How to structure your interview Questions
30:00 Resume Advice
32:26 How to Negotiate Your Salary
33:38 Ask meaningful questions
Paloma Vilceus co-founded Yellow Tail Tech to help others begin their career as a Linux System Administrator and make a life-changing salary. During Ep. 61 of the cuSTEM Journeys Podcast we discuss
- What people can expect from the Yellow Tail Tech program
- A day in the life of a Linux System Administrator/Engineer
- How much money Linux System Administrators can make?
If you want to learn more about Yellow Tail Tech, you can check out there website here (affiliate link):
https://yellowtail.tech/youtube-andrewbaines/
We also interviewed a former Yellow Tail Tech student, JV King Venord. During our discussion he discussed how much money he makes and his experience in YTT program:
https://youtu.be/TV11hHjL9T0
0:00 Best kept secret in IT
2:13 What is a Linux System Administrator
7:50 Difference between working with small vs large companies
9:11 Is Linux System Engineering demanding?
12:23 Salary of Linux Engineer
15:33 Paloma's journey to becoming a Linux System Engineer
22:00 What did employers look for when hiring you
25:56 Motivation for starting Yellow Tail Tech
28:00 Linux for Jobs & Cloud for Jobs
31:19 Linux for Jobs vs. Cloud for Jobs
33:28 How much time per week do you need to commit?
34:53 How can you improve your chances of success?
38:42 How much does Yellow Tail Tech cost?
42:55 Perfect program for veterans
44:27 Student Success Story
49:20 Do this after you break into tech
55:17 Future interview to discuss building an EdTech company
56:24 yellowtail.tech
In episode 60 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast Jon Green breaks down his inspiring journey from Publix cashier to Network Engineer. During his journey, Jon went from making $19K at a grocery story to $120K. Jon's story
Tune into this episode to learn about life as a Network Engineer, the most important certifications in IT, the different career pathways to becoming a Network Engineer, and more!
Be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe 🙏🏾
Sign up for the cuSTEM Newsletter to receive job opportunities and content you may have missed:
0:00 Intro
1:58 What do network engineers do
6:16 Is Network Engineering a stressful job
9:43 Top reasons to become a Network Engineer
13:19 Jon's journey to IT
19:13 The importance of networking in job hunt
24:39 Can you prepare for CCNA on your own?
27:57 How Jon landed his first IT job
35:19 Getting a raise from $50K to $120K
44:29 Advice for people getting into IT
49:13 Do you have to be good at Math to be in IT?
52:53 Is the CCNA certification most important for Network Engineering?
54:00 Does Network Engineering incorporate Cybersecurity
In this captivating interview, join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Jordan Sawadogo, from Chemical Engineer to Startup Investor.Â
Discover how Jordan transitioned from being a Chemical Engineer to VC Associate at 500 Global and becoming a key player in African startup ecosystem. Gain insights into his mindset shift, as he shares valuable lessons learned and the realization that expertise in a specific field is not a prerequisite for launching a successful venture.Â
Don't miss this inspiring conversation on the intersection of engineering, entrepreneurship, and the world of startups with Jordan Sawadogo
In Ep. 58, Dee Hampton explains how you can get paid to learn tech skills by joining York Solutions paid tech apprenticeship program. Tech apprenticeships are a great alternatives for those who can't afford college or coding bootcamps. York Solutions' Barrier to Entry (B2E) program allows you to get paid up to $60K/year while learning on the job. Â
Be sure to subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for more content.
You can find details about the B2E program here: https://yorksolutions.net/career/b2e
Complete this 2-min survey to receive job postings from Andrew:
https://i5218d4ud3u.typeform.com/to/HWyu5Zgx
In episode 57 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast "Joy" Ademuyewo describes her life as a Nurse Anesthesiologist and why she decided to found a tech startup. Join us as we uncover the fascinating story behind Joy's thriving career in medicine, her relentless pursuit of innovation, and her incredible startup venture called Lokum, revolutionizing the way hospitals find talent.
We also cover the pathway to becoming a nurse anesthesiologist, a day in the life of an anesthesiologist, and how much money Joy makes as a nurse anesthesiologist.
You can check out Joy's app, Lokum, here: https://lokumapp.com/
Princeton Alum, Richard Henry, attempts to end the college degree vs coding bootcamp debate. Richard shares valuable insights getting accepted into Princeton, landing his first software engineering job, and advancing from an entry level engineer to a senior engineer.
Uncover the pros and cons of a college education so you can make an informed decision about the pathway that best suits you. Whether you're a high school graduate or considering a career transition, this must-watch interview will empower you with the knowledge to navigate your path to success in the ever-evolving world of technology.
In this interview a marketing graduate turned Cyber Security Lead, Brittney Waiters, shares her career journey and how she made $100/hr in tech. She also shares how she landed some of her most impactful jobs, and the power of networking.Â
If you are interested in a career in Cyber Security, make sure you check out this interview.
0:00 Intro
2:35 What is a cyber security engagement lead
6:24 Brittney's journey from marketing to cybersecurity
11:51 Importance of Networking & Dallas Cowboys
15:46 Contract vs Direct hire (Pros and Cons)
19:11 $100/hr cyber security job
21:55 Advice for getting into cybersecurity
24:38 How Brittney landed a job at HP
30:59 Salary negotiation tips
34:39 Future goals and being at Peace
41:09 Increasing diversity in STEMÂ
43:08 Improving Andrew's skincare routine LOL
Software engineer explains how you can get paid to learn in tech apprenticeship. Catherine Booker is now a Software Engineer at Bloomberg through  @catalyte  apprenticeship program.Â
During this interview we discuss how she got accepted into the program, what life is like as a software engineer, and how you can be successful too.
0:00 Intro
3:38 Preparing for Catalyte program
7:14 Is the program self-paced
13:38 What languages do you learn during the apprenticeship
15:12 The process of getting placed at client
17:21 How Catherine landed at Bloomberg
19:29 What to expect during Software Engineering Interview
24:08 How much does Catalyt pay while you're employed with them
25:36 The hardest part about switching to software engineering
32:21 Becoming a direct-hire of Bloomberg
38:07 React vs Vue
39:15 How much do you Software Engineers make after completing apprenticeship
41:37 Reality vs expectations
Check out this episode of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast to find out how to become a linux systems engineer in 10 months. By completing the Yellow Tail Tech program, King Venord was able to go from making $40k/year as a Medical Assistant to over $100k/year as a Linux Systems Engineer.
You can find out more about the Yellow Tail Tech program here (full transparency: this is an affiliate link):
https://yellowtail.tech/youtube-andrewbaines/
0:00 Intro
2:10 What is a Linux Systems Engineer
8:11 Inspiration for becoming a Linux Systems Engineer
15:43 Yellow Tail Tech Program
22:08 Comparing Bootcamps to Yellow Tail Tech
30:02 $40K to $100K in 10 months
37:19 Red Hat Certification
38:24 Why you should pursue Linux Systems Engineering
43:04 $2K/week at American Express
57:34 Willpower
1:07:07 King Venord
From Converse, to GameStop, to Capital Factory venture capital associate.Â
In episode 41, Tanaka Tava reveals how he landed his first job as a venture capital associate after graduating from Baylor University.
In this episode we cover Tanaka Tava's entrepreneurship journey, and provides tips for how other founders can successfully raise capital.
0:00 Intro
2:09 What do VC associates do
7:59 Tava Multimedia Group
14:10 How Tanaka got into VC
23:30 What VC firms look for in startups
29:03 Pre-seed vs Seed
36:36 How to break into VC
45:01 How much money can you make in VC
46:18 Advice for startup founders
In episode 40 of the cuSTEM Journeys interview we talk with Mike Martin , a Product Manager who works on the NBA fantasy and Betting app Pick'em.
During this interview we talk about Mike's career journey from Inglewood, CA to Georgetown where he majored in Computer Science. After graduating, he worked for General Mills before moving on to the NBA.Â
Check out this interview to hear Mike's unique story of getting hired in the NBA, how much money he has made throughout his career, and how pursuing a STEM career has helped him be a successful engineer (BLK Tax Services).
0:00 Intro
2:33 NBA Product Manager role
4:26 Growing up in Inglewood
13:09 Georgetown college experience
16:40 Advice for getting college internships
21:48 Networking advice
25:28 Landing a job at General Mills
33:36 What is a Product Manager
40:26 How did Mike land a NBA Product Manager job
46:39 Don't sell yourself short - NBA salary
52:43 Starting your own business
55:52 Goals are dumb
57:44 Increasing diversity in tech
1:01:34 BLK Tax Services
In episode 39 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast Ishvarus "Ish" Davis gives the steps he took to build a successful engineering career in Silicon Valley. Â
Before becoming an Engineering Manager at Meta Ish worked at IBM and attended the University of Pittsburg where he studied Computer Science.Â
Watch this episode to find out how Ish went from Waycross, GA to Silicon Valley, including having 6 internships, working at IBM, and landing a job at Meta
Selam Degefu transitioned from healthcare to tech after finishing a Flatiron coding bootcamp.Â
Check out this interview if you want to learn how you can break into tech and how a bootcamp can help prepare you for a software engineering role.
After completing the FlatIron bootcamp, Selam landed a job at JP Morgan Chase through their Emerging Talent Program.
Click the link below to check out the Emerging Talent Program:
0:00 Intro
2:52 Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase
5:32 Added pressure to be successfulÂ
6:35 Intimidated by tech - choosing healthcare
10:05 Pursuing tech sales; tech sales fellowship
14:20 Tech sales to Software Engineering; coding bootcamp
19:10 Quality Assurance Fellowship
21:22 Don't be afraid to switch careers
24:02 Landing a Software Engineering job at JP Morgan Chase
28:18 JPMC Emerging Talent Software Engineer
31:14 Negotiating the job salary
33:31 Salary and lifestyle of a software engineer
36:05 What's next for Selam
38:39 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
40:02 Outro
Check out this interview to find out how Jeremiah Walker, a military vet turned Cybersecurity pro goes from 50k to six figures in 2 years
Jeremiah was able to increase his salary from $50K to $140K in only 2 years after making a series of strategic moves that helped him rapidly progress his Cybersecurity career.
Check out this interview to find out how Jeremiah built a successful Cybersecurity career, and how you can too.
Don't forget to Like, Share, and subscribe!
You an find Jeremiah Walker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-walker-5604b38/
Check out Boecore's tech jobs here:Â
https://boecore.com/careers/current-openings/
In this interview Jennifer Plummer, Engineering Manager at PROS, discusses how she went from software engineer to engineering manager.Â
We also discuss what she looks for in candidates, how to progress your career, and how coding bootcamps are changing the workforce.
Jennifer is also the host of PROS podcast, Interface. Click the link below to check out the Interface podcast on all streaming platforms:
https://pros.com/learn/interface-podcast
Dropout turned software engineer, Eric Deleon, explains how he found success despite dropping out high school.Â
Eric is a creative designer turned software engineer, and owner of 132 Design.Â
In this interview we discuss Eric's career journey including, how he became a successful entrepreneur, the most-common mistakes entrepreneurs make, how he became a software engineer, and his plans for the future.
The founder and CEO of TRAINR, Jeremy Gaston, explains how his experience as a product designer has helped become a successful entrepreneur and build an amazing app.
In this episode we take a deep dive into the world of product design - we discuss:
The skills it takes to be a product designer
The rule of thumb for defining your revenue model
Advice for breaking into tech without college experience
TRAINR is a platform that allows personal trainers and clients to handle booking & scheduling, managing workouts, and sending & receiving payments all within one app.
Go to heytrainr.com to check out the app
Destin Bell is a 23 year old CEO who is revolutionizing cardio through the development of his fitness app Cardii.io.
In Destin's entrepreneurial journey he has moved from Kentucky to Austin to Houston, managed to raise $50K from Niantic (the makers of Pokemon Go), and is currently raising $2 Million to launch and scale his app.
Cardii.io is a revolutionary app that gamifies fitness by allowing you to play a giant game of turf war - you and your friends compete against others to "claim" different parts of your city.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with all the latest content that we release.
0:00 Intro
3:24 Day in the life of a 23-year old CEO
7:05 Destin's Origin Story
14:31 $50K Grant from Pokemon Go Creators
22:07 Finding his CTO
23:58 Advice for Building a Team
29:41 Finding grants for your for-profit company
35:00 What you learn outside of school is more important that what you learn in school
37:46 Is LinkedIn the best way to network
38:52 Mike vs Kobe vs LeBron
39:59 Are tech accelerators are worth the investment
45:01 Advice for raising capital
52:42 What's the best way to find investors?
55:24 A fearless mentality
57:20 Figuring out your life's purpose
1:01:18 Importance of Generational Wealth
1:04:45 Shoutouts
1:06:03 Father's Day Shoutout
1:08:28 Cardii.io
If you're interested in making a career change to tech check out this interview with DEI Program Manager, Kenefra Carter. After completing the Google Certification in 6 WEEKS she was able to land a Customer Success Manager at The Mom Project.
Despite having to drop out of college after having a baby at 21, being laid off because of the pandemic, and not having the ideal Tech credentials, Kenefra was able to pivot into Tech.
Kenefra completed the Google Online Certification through The Moms Project non-profit (RISE) - momproject.org
You can find out more about The Moms Project at: https://themomproject.com/
0:00 Intro
1:39 The Moms Project
4:53 DEI Program Manager
5:48 Journey To Tech
10:19 The Rise Program
12:10 6-month program in 6-weeks
14:41 Can Women have it all
17:47 Google Certification Program
20:08 Pivoting into Tech
23:10 Is the certification worth it
25:40 Is DEI just a buzzword?
30:18 Salary Ranges within Tech
34:23 Upward mobility
39:34 Making tech equitable
44:07 Getting pregnant in college
49:01 Why you should do the google certification
In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast, Mike Roberts discusses how he is using apprenticeships programs to train the next generation of tech workers.
A tech apprenticeship program allows students to become full-time employees (with benefits) of a tech company, and get paid will learning how to code.
In this interview, we discuss Mike's journey to building Creating Coding Careers, and what it will take to implement the apprenticeship model across the U.S.
Be sure to subscribe to our channel.
Creating coding careers: https://cccareers.org/
0:00 Intro
2:18 Mike's Interest in Tech at Young Age
5:14 Paying for college
11:02 The origins of Creating Coding Careers
16:27 Coding Bootcamps vs Tech Apprenticeships
21:50 Building Tech Apprenticeships Nationwide
29:16 Day in the Life of Tech Apprentice
34:24 Day in the Life of a Tech Startup CEO
37:33 You Don't Need Previous Coding Experience!
39:44 Fact or Cap: Javascript is the best programing lang.
42:32 Salary of Apprentice Grads
47:43 The power of LinkedIn: growing your following
54:26 A word of advice
56:53 Diversifying Tech
1:01:36 Finding CCC
Tristen Alexander explains how he went from being a college dropout to getting into it without a degree.
After taking Google's Coursera Certification Tristen was able to get into IT career. Despite dropping out of college and not having any formal IT experience, Tristen was able to go from working in a Call Center to IT without a degree.
Click the link below to check out Google's Career Certifications:
https://grow.google/certificates/#?mo...
0:00 Intro
2:59 What's a quality assurance analysts
6:02 The beginning of Tristen's IT journey
9:59 Plans after High School
11:34 College Dropout
14:42 6 months to survive
21:07 Google Certification Program
28:24 Landing first IT job
31:36 Is the online certification worth the money
37:19 Should college be free?
43:54 Salary after switching to IT
48:43 Why you should pursue a career in IT
52:23 Starting a Cybersecurity business
57:56 Successfully making a career pivot
1:04:25 Diversifying STEM
1:09:33 Shoutout
1:13:32 Outro
Civil Engineering student turned real estate developer, Demetrice Ballenger, gives a master class on real estate and discusses why he had to drop out of college.Â
During this interview we also discussedÂ
 + How Engineering helped prepare him to be a successful real estate developer
 + Demetrice's experience at a HBCU (Prairie View A&M)
 + How much money you can make as a real estate developer
 + Why Demetrice views Civil Engineering as the most important Engineering Discipline
 + And more
Be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe to the channel.
In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast engineer turned investment banker, Dominic Smith, explains how his engineering background has helped him have a successful career in investment banking.
In this episode, we review how much money investment bankers make, the day in the life of an investment banker, the value of an MBA, and more.
Dominic also details his experience as a Math major at Morehouse College (HBCU), and why he decided to originally pursue an Engineering career. After working in the Oil & Gas industry he decided to pursue his MBA, and eventually worked his to being an investment banker at JP Morgan Chase.
Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you can keep up with all of the latest video releases.
Chef Keesha O'Galdez is an Engineer turned Chef. Since being laid off during the 2008 financial crisis, Chef Keesha has gone on to become a successful Culinary Entrepreneur, and was recently featured on Food Network's hit show "Chopped".Â
In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast we talk with Chef Keesha about her journey from Engineer to Culinary Entrepreneur. In addition to providing advice for aspiring Entrepreneurs, Chef Keesha discusses how much money you can make as a personal Chef and how we can make Tech more diverse.Â
Keesha is also the operational director for the Black is Tech conference - a conference to help current and aspiring Tech professionals.
You can find out more about Chef Keesha on Instagram: @gourmetdiva or www.thegourmetdiva.com.
In this interview of the cuSTEM journeys podcast, Anna Selser breaks down her journey from engineer to brand marketing manager. After majoring in Biomedical Engineering at Case University (Cleveland, Ohio), Anna worked as Sales Engineer before returning to school for an MBA.Â
Since graduating with an MBA, Anna has become a successful brand marketing manager for Red Bull.Â
In this clip Anna describes a day in the life of a brand marketing manager, the benefits of getting a MBA, the expected salary of a brand marketing manager, and more.
Be sure to check out subscribe to our channel to keep up with our latest interviews.
We are beginning Black History month by featuring one of the original founding members of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), George Smith. In this interview, we discuss how NSBE was created.
Mr. Smith shares how the guidance of Dr. Arthur Bond was instrumental to the creation and success of NSBE. He also discusses what inspired him to pursue Engineering, imposter syndrome, and how we can increase the number of Black students within Engineering.
Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel!
In this episode, Lee Arnold breaks down how he was able to transition from being a Teacher in HISD to becoming a Scrum Master and Project Manager.Â
After getting a Scrum Master certification, Lee attended Digital Crafts coding bootcamp where he gained the skills to help him be a successful Scrum Master for C Panel.
Every week we highlight successful Black and Latino STEM professionals. Be sure to subscribe to subscribe to our channel to keep up with each episode.
In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast we interview Mechanical Engineer turned Coding Bootcamp instructor Veronica Lino. During this interview we chat with Veronica about her journey from being a NASA engineer to a coding bootcamp instructor for Digital Crafts.
We also get Veronica's thoughts on the following:
1. The pros and cons of doing a Coding Bootcamp vs Self Taught
2. How to Choose the Best Bootcamp For You
3. Coding Proficiency After Completing a Bootcamp
4. Typical Starting Salary of a Bootcamp Graduate
5. Advice for Getting into the Aerospace Industry
6. How to make Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math more diverse
Be sure to like, rate, and share the podcast!
In this episode Clarissa Hernandez breaks down how she accomplished her dream job of being an Engineer at Disney World. In order to get her foot in the door, Clarissa first interned at Disney World as a Custodian.Â
She then went on to intern as an Engineer at Disney World, but didn't receive an offer to return as a full-time employee.Â
After working at Universal Studios for nearly 5 years, and working at Atlas Lens Co. for 2 years, she finally received her opportunity to work as a Quality Engineer at Disney Land.
In this discussion we talk about how much money she's made throughout her career, salary negotiations, perks of working at an amusement park, and how to be a successful engineer.
Be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe to keep up with our latest interviews!
This episode features the Senior Product Designer for CONVOZ, Dave Giles II. Before working for CONVOZ, Dave was a History grad from the University of Washington St. Louis, worked for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) in D.C., did design work for Macys.com, worked for ESSENCE, and worked as a freelance designer.
In this episode Dave walks us through his Tech journey and details the different lessons he's learned from each position.
In addition to being a successful designer, Dave is a successful musician who is signed to an international record label.
Convoz is a video-based social media platform that was started by Grammy Award Winning artist Chamillionaire. You can find more about Convoz at convoz.com or you can download it in the app store.
In this episode, we chat with JoĂ©l Ramirez, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Quirk Chat, and discussed his journey through tech.Â
Since completing a Coding Bootcamp a few years ago, Joél has had a meteoric rise through Tech. In this episode, he talks about the highs and lows of his journey, including being laid off by one of his previous employers. He also provides a ton of advice including:
- How to pick the best coding bootcamp
- Expected starting salary of a software engineer after graduatingÂ
- Tips for landing your first job after graduating
- His journey to make $50K in 100 days
- His future at QuirkChat
- His passion for increasing diversity within Tech
This week's interview features Brandi Utria, the Senior Vice President of Gig Wage.Â
Brandi is truly an inspiration for others. During our chat she discusses the challenges that she faced as a teenage Mom after giving birth to her daughter at 17 years old. She also provides a wealth of knowledge about knowledge related to professional development, negotiating your salary, how to pivot to Tech, and navigating workplace cultures as a Woman of color.
Gig Wage is a payment processing company that specializes in getting "gig workers" their money as soon as possible. Be sure to check them out at gigwage.com
This episode of cuSTEM journeys features Taylor Shead, the co-founder and CEO of STEMuli. Taylor details her journey from being a college athlete to a successful entrepreneur, and her goals for STEMuli to become the leading education technology company.Â
STEMuli allows K-12 students to have engaging learning experiences inside of the Metaverse. STEMuli is currently adopted by Dallas ISD.Â
You can find out more about STEMuli at stemuli.net
In this episode, Nicole Young details her journey to becoming a self-taught software engineer. She breaks down why she chose to become a full-time freelance software engineer and content creator.
Be sure to check out her YouTube channel @Nicole . Young if you would like to learn more about her journey and how you can get into the Tech industry.
Jayton "Jay" Harps is a Software Integration Engineer at Northrop Grumman and the co-founder and CEO of ZeroToNecessary.com
In this interview, Jay talks about how he overcame challenges throughout college, including working a full-time job and a low GPA, and landing his first post-college job as a Software Engineer.Â
Jay also discussed the importance of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and why him and his mom created Zero To Necessary.
In this episode Leo McAfee Jr. describes his journey from an average high school student to becoming a Product Environmental Engineer at Ford. He also discusses the advantages of being an Engineer, such as traveling and being able to retire his mom. Â
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This week’s episode of cuSTEM Journeys features a fascinating dive into the quickly growing ESports industry. We speak with Danny Martin, Co-founder and CEO of Esposure, a provider of professional esports education and career development. Tune-in to learn about Danny’s incredible journey, career possibilities in ESports, and more!Â
Please make sure you listen, watch, follow and subscribe!Â
Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lb20i92cDwM
Listen to the audio-only version: https://apple.co/38VQCHq
For all of our content please visit: www.custemjourneys.com
In this week’s mini-sode on cuSTEM Journeys, co-hosts Andrew and Eliseo discuss a common barrier in progressing in a STEM career: The Network Gap. Tune-in to listen on how to grow your network in professional spaces for both traditional and non-traditional students. Andrew and Eliseo share how their respective networks have led to many great opportunities!Â
Please make sure you listen, watch, follow and subscribe!Â
STEM #STEMed #Networking
Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pGsZIuGUkXU
Listen to the audio-only version: https://apple.co/38VQCHq
*note: audio will be posted within 48 hours on Apple Podcasts
For all of our content please visit: www.custemjourneys.com
This week on cuSTEM journeys we have an amazing guest! We are joined by Andria Balogh, Founder & Executive Director of the STEM·E Youth Career Development Program. On today’s episode we barnstorm through a variety of topics: women in leadership, starting a non-profit, how to negotiate a salary, and much more! Watch, listen, and subscribe. You don’t want to miss an incredibly informative and enlightening conservation with an MIT graduate who is passionate about bringing the gaps in STEM education.
Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CnfH7z1marY
Listen to the audio-only version: https://apple.co/38VQCHq
*note: audio will be posted within 48 hours on Apple Podcasts
For all of our content please visit: www.custemjourneys.com
STEM #STEMed #LatinainSTEM
This week on cuSTEM Journeys, we have a mini-sode where co-hosts Andrew and Eliseo discuss four different ways to become a STEM professional. Each of these methods can help you gain skills and work experience that can help you land your first STEM job.Â
Please make sure you listen, watch, follow and subscribe!Â
STEM #STEMed #Co-ops #onlinelearning
Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HDQomUdmkDs
Listen to the audio-only version: https://apple.co/38VQCHq
*note: audio will be posted within 48 hours on Apple Podcasts
For all of our content please visit: www.custemjourneys.com
This week we talk about resources for first gen college students and other students from minority communities with @Darrell Balderramma. Darrell serves as the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at @UTSA. In his current role his office oversees high impact programs, such as TRiO and LSAMP. Throughout his 16 years at UTSA, Darrell has impacted numerous students; including co-host Andrew Baines. We discuss Darrell’s college journey, his dissertation, and the fundamental hurdles that keep students from minorities communities from reaching higher ed.
This episode is fire! So make sure you listen, watch, follow and subscribe!Â
This episode of cuSTEM Journeys features a conversation with Chris Akinade. Chris is a recent graduate of Texas A&M Chemical Engineering and current works at McKinsey & Co., a management consulting firm. Join us to hear his journey through the rigorous engineering program at Texas A&M, tough job market during the peak of the COVID19 pandemic, and his thoughts on the “The Network Gap.”Â
Watch episode on YouTube:Â
Listen to the audio-only version: https://apple.co/38VQCHq
*note: audio will be posted within 48 hours on Apple Podcasts
For all of our content please visit: www.custemjourneys.com
STEM #STEMed #BlackInSTEM
This week's episode of cuSTEM Journeys continues the conversation with co-host, Eliseo Iglesias. Eliseo takes us through the high and lows in his pursuit of a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. We discuss the process of pursuing a PhD, working as an adjunct faculty member, and how to succeed in graduate school.
Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sfKhN79H42U
Listen to the audio-only version: https://apple.co/38VQCHq
For all of our content please visit: www.custemjourneys.com
The resource of the week is a non-profit organization called Cafe College, a resource “dedicated to providing college access information, resources, and opportunities to the citizens of San Antonio.”Â
Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafecollegesa/
Find more info here: https://cafecollege.org/
STEM #STEMed #LatinoInSTEM
In this week's episode of cuSTEM Journeys we speak with Dr. Boahemaa Adu-Oppong, a computational microbiologist and discuss her academic journey, getting a high paying job as an industry scientist, and her non-profit "Show Me the World."
In Part 2 of Andrew Baines interview, Andrew explains how he landed his dream job at General Motors (GM). He also explains the various engineering role he's had throughout his career, and why he chose to forgo a six-figure salary to move back to Texas.
In this episode of cuSTEM Journeys, we speak with the co-founder and CEO of NewGait, Benga Adeeko, where he describes his journey of becoming a STEM professional and entrepreneur.Â
In episode 3 of cuSTEM Journeys, Eliseo Iglesias details his career in STEM from high school through college.
In episode 2 of cuSTEM Journeys, Andrew Baines details his career in STEM from high school through college.
Welcome to cuSTEM Journeys! This podcast showcases Black and Latino voices in STEM, provides our listeners with actionable steps that they can use to pursue their careers in STEM, and highlights different pathways through STEM. Listen to this first episode where Andrew Baines and Eliseo Iglesias discuss their goals for the show!