Data & Dev with Jon and Mel
38 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsTwo friends from elementary school kick off this tech podcast (because we need another one), aimed primarily at career changers seeking to level up quickly in the field of tech, but in the midst of the responsibilities of adult life.
Jon is an academic turned start-up guy with Data Science expertise.
Melissa is a mid-life career changer, pursuing a second career as a Software Engineer first via a Bootcamp and currently as a CS Master's student at UPenn.
Headed your way:
Tech concepts explained so a 10-year-old can understand and lots of lame analogies.
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Episodes
S3:E1 - Chats on Technology 1
March 12, 2024 15:57 - 53 minutes - 49 MBS3E1: Asking the hard questions. In this episode we touch on all of the following. Business context: using AI to replicate a business. aiding project management workflows Chain of thought techniques with LLMs AI taking jobs Risks of automation Lawyer big oops using ChatGPT AI to complete tasks: Robot burger flippers Robotics to take over more dangerous jobs to protect people Prompt Engineering New Roles that will develop as a result of technological advancements If ...
Season 3 Teaser
March 12, 2024 14:00 - 1 minute - 1.35 MBWhat to expect from Season 3 of Data and Dev! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/data-and-dev/message
S2E15: Role-specific Advice - A Compilation
July 04, 2023 14:40 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBA follow-up on our previous compilation, our season 2 guests share more advice on working in the tech industry as well as some role specific advice. You can also leave us a voice message with feedback on this, or any of our episodes here. The voiced you here in order: Brenda Moss Kexin Xie Nikhil Maddirala Tim Chung Emily Morgan Mat Fournier Rocco Basalmo Vic Vijayakumar --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/data-and-dev/mes...
S2E14: Advice for starting out - A Compilation
June 27, 2023 14:29 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBHear from our season 2 guests on advice for just starting out and what they wish they knew when starting their career in tech. You can also leave us a voice message with feedback on this, or any of our episodes here. The voiced you here in order: Brenda Moss Daniel Vassallo Emily Morgan Mat Fournier Nikhil Maddirala Rocco Basalmo Tim Chung Vic Vijayakumar --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/data-and-dev/message
S2E13: Worst Work Mistake - A Compilation
June 20, 2023 14:10 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBIf you work in tech long enough, you will eventually break prod, drop a database, have a major work miscommunication, or any number of other mistakes that feel horrific at the moment but provide you with stories to share that elicit both laughter and horror from your hearer. Our season 2 guests share some of their worst work mistakes in this compilation episode. Leave us a voice message with your feedback. Enjoy hearing from: Emily Morgan Daniel Vassallo Mat Fournier Nikhil Maddiral...
S2E12: How to Handle Interview Nerves - A Compilation
June 13, 2023 22:59 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBHear our Season 2 guests answer the question, 'Advice for handling interview nerves.' This compilation episode recaps those prior conversations in the following order: Daniel Vassallo Mat Fournier Brenda Moss Kexin Xie Nikhil Maddirala Rocco Basalmo Vic Vijayakumar Trish Do Tim Chung Emily Morgan --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/data-and-dev/message
S2E11: BONUS EPISODE: Daniel Vassallo -- Tech Success at Amazon Leads to Pursuit of Small Bets
January 03, 2023 16:34 - 1 hour - 76.9 MBTo cap off Season 2, Jon and I spoke to what many might consider a tech success story. Daniel Vassallo is no stranger to tech Twitter, but in case he is a new name to you, Daniel is a former Amazon Software Engineer who now makes a living with a portfolio of small bets. He made his way to Seattle by way of Ireland, working for 7 years at Amazon before leaving the corporate world for the freedom of self-employment. I (Melissa) love Daniel's story, largely because I long to replicate his p...
S2E10: Career Path to Principal Architect - A Convo with Kexin Xie of Salesforce
December 23, 2022 18:09 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBKexin's story is a great demonstration that sometimes building a career in tech is more about seeing and taking the opportunities placed before you rather than having a pre-planned series of steps to follow. In this episode we talked about: Intro and College in Australia Freelancer Learning in Industry Machine Learning at scale Distributed Computing Hiring for Distributed Computing roles Culture: China, Australia, USA Role of Software Architect Advice on finding the first role Clo...
Career Path to Principal Architect - A Convo with Kexin Xie of Salesforce
December 23, 2022 18:09 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBKexin's story is a great demonstration that sometimes building a career in tech is more about seeing and taking the opportunities placed before you rather than having a pre-planned series of steps to follow. In this episode we talked about: Intro and College in Australia Freelancer Learning in Industry Machine Learning at scale Distributed Computing Hiring for Distributed Computing roles Culture: China, Australia, USA Role of Software Architect Advice on finding the first role Clo...
Mystery Guests -- Mel and Jon
November 29, 2022 16:28 - 1 hour - 71.1 MBGet to know your podcast hosts. After interviewing a dozen or so amazing technologists, Jon and I figured it might be good to interview each other! We flip the script, and ask each other questions about how we got into tech. Hands down, being the interviewer is far easier than being the interviewee. Tune in for: Jon College and getting into ML Microsoft, Krux, and Salesforce Leading ML at Spectrum Labs Closing Questions for Jon Mel From Wharton to MCIT Flexibility in contracting ...
S2E9: Mystery Guests -- Mel and Jon
November 29, 2022 16:28 - 1 hour - 71.1 MBGet to know your podcast hosts. After interviewing a dozen or so amazing technologists, Jon and I figured it might be good to interview each other! We flip the script, and ask each other questions about how we got into tech. Hands down, being the interviewer is far easier than being the interviewee. Tune in for: Jon College and getting into ML Microsoft, Krux, and Salesforce Leading ML at Spectrum Labs Closing Questions for Jon Mel From Wharton to MCIT Flexibility in contracting ...
Nikhil Maddirala - Product Manager at Meta
November 15, 2022 20:40 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBNikhil pursued a career in Product Management through the route of an MBA. In this conversation we talk about whether an MBA is required for a PM career, traits that make for a good PM, and more. Listen in to hear: Life at Adobe Role of Product Manager Squashing Bugs vs New Features PM/Eng org structure Decision making Traits for a PM Is an MBA required? Interview advice Product Manager vs. Project Manager What does a PM career path look like? Connect with Nikhil via LinkedIn -...
S2E8: Nikhil Maddirala - Product Manager at Meta
November 15, 2022 20:40 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBNikhil pursued a career in Product Management through the route of an MBA. In this conversation we talk about whether an MBA is required for a PM career, traits that make for a good PM, and more. Listen in to hear: Life at Adobe Role of Product Manager Squashing Bugs vs New Features PM/Eng org structure Decision making Traits for a PM Is an MBA required? Interview advice Product Manager vs. Project Manager What does a PM career path look like? Connect with Nikhil via LinkedIn -...
S2E7: Rocco Basalmo: A Career in Game and Web Design
November 01, 2022 19:28 - 1 hour - 72.4 MBRocco started his career in the game industry. He shares the good, and the bad, of that area of tech, his experience as an entrepreneur, and how he ended up at Meta. In this episode we cover: Started in gaming Moved to CA Gliffy, diagraming software Imposter Syndrome, life-long learning His company, simmer.io Working at Meta How you 'fit' with a company Connect with Rocco via LinkedIn or his personal website --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dat...
Rocco Basalmo: A Career in Game and Web Design
November 01, 2022 19:28 - 1 hour - 72.4 MBRocco started his career in the game industry. He shares the good, and the bad, of that area of tech, his experience as an entrepreneur, and how he ended up at Meta. In this episode we cover: Started in gaming Moved to CA Gliffy, diagraming software Imposter Syndrome, life-long learning His company, simmer.io Working at Meta How you 'fit' with a company Connect with Rocco via LinkedIn or his personal website --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/data-and-dev/message
Brenda Moss: US Air Force Veteran, Stay at Home Mom, Now Microsoft Software Engineer
October 21, 2022 23:22 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBBrenda has taken a circuitous route into Software Engineering. She served her country in the Air Force before leaving active duty to be at home with her children. She eventually chose to re-enter the workforce via Software and opted to pursue a Master's degree to that end. Brenda's story is a great one. Tune in to hear: - ROTC route into the Air Force. - Life as a Space Operations Officer in the air force - Leaving active duty and going reserves to raise children - Recruiting role with...
S2E6: Brenda Moss: US Air Force Veteran, Stay at Home Mom, Now Microsoft Software Engineer
October 21, 2022 23:22 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBBrenda has taken a circuitous route into Software Engineering. She served her country in the Air Force before leaving active duty to be at home with her children. She eventually chose to re-enter the workforce via Software and opted to pursue a Master's degree to that end. Brenda's story is a great one. Tune in to hear: - ROTC route into the Air Force. - Life as a Space Operations Officer in the air force - Leaving active duty and going reserves to raise children - Recruiting role with...
S2E5: Interviewing Insights from a Tech Recruiter - A Chat with Trish Do
October 04, 2022 20:24 - 1 hour - 118 MBWe chat with Gatsby recruiter, Trish Do, and gain some insider info on the tech recruiting process. You can connect with Trish on LinkedIn Show Highlights: Transition from education to tech recruiting Potential pitfalls in the initial screen What is the recruiter looking for in that initial screening? The importance of knowing your personal values and goals in evaluating potential companies and roles Advice to excel in the technical screen Mistakes made after receiving an offer Hand...
Interviewing Insights from a Tech Recruiter - A Chat with Trish Do
October 04, 2022 20:24 - 1 hour - 118 MBWe chat with Gatsby recruiter, Trish Do, and gain some insider info on the tech recruiting process. You can connect with Trish on LinkedIn Show Highlights: Transition from education to tech recruiting Potential pitfalls in the initial screen What is the recruiter looking for in that initial screening? The importance of knowing your personal values and goals in evaluating potential companies and roles Advice to excel in the technical screen Mistakes made after receiving an offer Hand...
S2E4: Vic Vijayakumar - Looking at the arc of a Software Engineering career
September 11, 2022 21:04 - 1 hour - 99.1 MBThis was a great conversation with Vic Vijayakumar. We covered MANY topics, including: Importance of hobbies outside of work Job titles across companies What “good” onboarding looks like for a Junior Engineer How Vic got into programming Computer Engineering vs. Computer Science as a major Gaining an intuition about code Looking at Software engineering less as “the tech industry” and more about using technology to help enable people to do the things they want to do Helping researcher...
Vic Vijayakumar - Looking at the arc of a Software Engineering career
September 11, 2022 21:04 - 1 hour - 99.1 MBThis was a great conversation with Vic Vijayakumar. We covered MANY topics, including: Importance of hobbies outside of work Job titles across companies What “good” onboarding looks like for a Junior Engineer How Vic got into programming Computer Engineering vs. Computer Science as a major Gaining an intuition about code Looking at Software engineering less as “the tech industry” and more about using technology to help enable people to do the things they want to do Helping researcher...
Tim Chung - Getting into Data Scientist
September 06, 2022 13:56 - 1 hour - 77.1 MBPrety early into Tim's professional career, he opted to change directions. He enrolled in a Master's program and ended up in Data Science. In this episode we talk about: Tim's background as a business major and his first role as a software implementation consultant role The epiphany that led to a desire for a more data-specific role Misconceptions of what a career in tech would look like Accessibility of learning today Choosing where to study to make the shift into data science MCIT a...
S2E3: Tim Chung - Getting into Data Scientist
September 06, 2022 13:56 - 1 hour - 77.1 MBPrety early into Tim's professional career, he opted to change directions. He enrolled in a Master's program and ended up in Data Science. In this episode we talk about: Tim's background as a business major and his first role as a software implementation consultant role The epiphany that led to a desire for a more data-specific role Misconceptions of what a career in tech would look like Accessibility of learning today Choosing where to study to make the shift into data science MCIT a...
S2E2: English Professor to Sr. Frontend Engineer. A conversation with Emily Morgan
August 23, 2022 01:28 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBThis was another great conversation. I know I say that every time, but it seems to always be true. Emily and I (Melissa) crossed paths 5 years ago at Flatiron School. Our careers have taken different trajectory paths since then and this conversation was a chance to both catch up as well as to get her full story of going from English Professor to Frontend Engineer. We cover: Choosing the route of academia Work as a college English professor “Trying out” programming Flatiron Bootcamp F...
English Professor to Sr. Frontend Engineer. A conversation with Emily Morgan
August 23, 2022 01:28 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBThis was another great conversation. I know I say that every time, but it seems to always be true. Emily and I (Melissa) crossed paths 5 years ago at Flatiron School. Our careers have taken different trajectory paths since then and this conversation was a chance to both catch up as well as to get her full story of going from English Professor to Frontend Engineer. We cover: Choosing the route of academia Work as a college English professor “Trying out” programming Flatiron Bootcamp F...
S2E1: Geological Engineer to Software Developer: A Conversation with Mat Fournier
August 09, 2022 23:20 - 1 hour - 96.8 MBThis was a great conversation with a former Geological Engineer turned Software Developer. Mat is a Canadian who recently took advantage of the shift to remote work. He's enjoying the good life with a slower pace of life, outside of the city. Mat talks about his background in his former career. The impetus to make a switch. Going back to school for Data Science before landing on Software. Mat found his niche in the Scala community and makes his living writing mostly functional code. Yo...
Geological Engineer to Software Developer: A Conversation with Mat Fournier
August 09, 2022 23:20 - 1 hour - 96.8 MBThis was a great conversation with a former Geological Engineer turned Software Developer. Mat is a Canadian who recently took advantage of the shift to remote work. He's enjoying the good life with a slower pace of life, outside of the city. Mat talks about his background in his former career. The impetus to make a switch. Going back to school for Data Science before landing on Software. Mat found his niche in the Scala community and makes his living writing mostly functional code. Yo...
Welcome to Season 2
June 07, 2022 03:00 - 1 minute - 1.42 MBWe're back for Season 2. Here is what's coming... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/data-and-dev/message
S1:E8 - Season Recap
December 07, 2021 00:11 - 14 minutes - 13 MBWe covered quite a bit in Season 1. For some "Go Deeper" resource suggestions for each topic, check the notes below. Episode 1: How email travels Differences between POP3 and IMAP - GeeksforGeeks SMTP or IMAP: What’s the Difference? Bonus: What is POP3? Episode 2: OSI model. Internet Network Engineer Specialization: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/computer-communications The first course is relevant here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fundamentals-network-communications?spec...
Episode 8: Season Recap
December 07, 2021 00:11 - 14 minutes - 13 MBWe covered quite a bit in Season 1. For some "Go Deeper" resource suggestions for each topic, check the notes below. Episode 1: How email travels Differences between POP3 and IMAP - GeeksforGeeks SMTP or IMAP: What’s the Difference? Bonus: What is POP3? Episode 2: OSI model. Internet Network Engineer Specialization: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/computer-communications The first course is relevant here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fundamentals-network-communications?spec...
S1:E7 - Interview with Aaron and Raphael at Cockroach Labs - Part 2
November 23, 2021 02:54 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBShow Notes Security is about tradeoffs Security is a business decision Product and Security persons need to understand each other. The correct solution depends on understanding how a user is interacting with your platform New risks in cloud databases Traffic to databases is now over the internet Users care about confidentiality and predictability New role: database programmers now need to build security controls. Reliability concerns are security concerns Any potential malfunction i...
S1:E6 - Interview with Aaron and Raphael at Cockroach Labs
November 09, 2021 14:36 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MBWhat's on the agenda!? Intro Databases security focuses on warehouse data, keep save and available. (Aaron) How did Aaron get into security What does a security career trajectory look like What does Aaron do at security The joys of ‘beeper duty' Generalist vs. Specialist approach to tech Formal degree vs. self study for a career in security The importance of deep understanding The “tinkerers mind" White route and black route options for self study What is your background: both Aa...
S1:E5 - TCP and IP Make the Internet Go 'Round
October 26, 2021 00:02 - 34 minutes - 32.3 MBJon and Mel talk about what TCP and IP are. How they work. And why they are important. Show notes: Intro Traffic rules and Internet rules Terms du jour: 3-way handshake, encapsulation, in order delivery, reliability, flow control What does TCP stand for and what is its job? What does IP stand for and what is its job? Lego masterpieces to send data over internet Furniture Manufacturer analogy How does 3-way handshake work? How does TCP ensures reliable and in-order delivery IP - w...
S1:E4 Interview with Marwan Fayed (Part 2)
October 11, 2021 12:20 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBTune in for the second half of our interview with Marwan! You won't be disappointed. Show notes: The resilience of TCP/IP - how have they survived this long? The evolving of TCP/IP About the IP layer * addressing * routing and forwarding * but no guarantee UDP - “best effort" TCP layer * reliability / guaranteed delivery * flow control * congestion control TCP fairness TCP & congestion control in streaming video About Marwan Professional mistake: looking for shortcuts ...
S1:E3 - Marwan Fayed Interview (Part 1)
September 28, 2021 02:37 - 43 minutes - 40.5 MBOur first interview of the season. The accomplished and ever so humble, Marwan Fayed, joins us today. Find him at St. Andrews or at Cloudflare. Timstamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:56 - Interview; Marwan Introduction 2:16 - Role at Cloudflare 4:25 - Community Broadband ISP 5:56 - Industry vs. Academia 7:08 - Day to Day at current role 8:56 - What does an industry lab look like? 10:45 - Security and Privacy research prioritized at Cloudflare 11:31 - What is TLS 1.3 14:26 - Research at Clou...
S1:E2 - The Internet Is Like a Swimming Pool
September 13, 2021 21:46 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBJon and Mel dive into the question of the day: "When I open the weather app on my phone, how do today's weather get my screen, and where did it come from? Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:18 - Question of the day 1:48 - Defining the endpoints? Client and Server 2:43 - Mental picture for information traveling across internet: Skateboard ramp. Swimming pool 5:00 - Defining some terms: client and server 5:36 - Defining request and response 6:28 - Everything is binary 7:53 - Application Lay...
S1:E1: How does email travel?
August 30, 2021 22:43 - 37 minutes - 35 MBQuestion for the day: "When I send an email, how does that email get from my email to yours?” Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Post office analogy 2:20 - Post office to email connection 3:10 - Computer 'client' and ‘server’ 4:05 - Addressing an email 9:00 - Email messages get broken up into packets 13:35 - DNS: Turning an email address into an IP address 16:00 - DNS servers; the phone book of the internet 20:30 - SMTP server; local post office. Email journey is email server to email...
Welcome to Data & Dev with Jon and Mel
August 04, 2021 02:31 - 5 minutes - 5.42 MBTwo friends from elementary school kick off this tech podcast (because we need another one), aimed primarily at career changers seeking to level up quickly in the field of tech, but in the midst of the responsibilities of adult life. Jon is an academic turned start-up guy with Data Science expertise. Melissa is a mid-life career changer, pursuing a second career as a Software Engineer first via a Bootcamp and currently as a CS Master's student at UPenn. Headed your way: Tech concepts e...