Empjoyment: Real-life stories from diverse career changers into non-technical jobs in digital tech companies. Join Nemo Ashong in empowering diversity in tech by helping career changers transition into non-technical roles in tech companies.
40 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★ - 6 ratingsEmpjoyment podcast connects and empowers YOU and career changers from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds interested in getting a job at a technology company by sharing insights, lessons learned, and step-by-step tutorials from others who have been in your shoes. Come join us Empjoyees as we go beyond the technical aspects of the profession and explore different career paths in tech, the best ways to build your skills, and ultimately how you can demonstrate the experience needed, so that you can find enjoyment through employment. Let's spread joy today!
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Episodes
Figured out something important today...
August 15, 2018 10:46 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBFigured out something important today...
36: A Message from Nemo
November 03, 2017 13:30 - 12 minutes - 8.46 MBJust wanted to share some thoughts with you and connect with you directly! Send an email to [email protected] Additional Resources for your Empjoyment Complimentary 1-on-1 Tech Career Coaching: I'm offering the complimentary personalized roadmap coaching experience to 15 high-achieving professionals who, despite a track record of success, are struggling to make a transition into tech to develop a personalized path into a non-coding role in a tech company. Free Empjoyment Community - ...
35: Every Problem is Solvable (DeVon Lineman - Lead Data Scientist, Forkcast)
November 01, 2017 13:30 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBDevon Lineman is no stranger to bad news. Despite completing all of the coursework to obtain a bachelor’s AND master’s degree in mathematics, financial difficulties prevented him from earning either. He approached the problem like any game or sport: with persistence, creativity, and attention to detail. Today, he is the Lead Data Scientist at Forkcast where he builds machine learning algorithms using the technical skills he taught himself. Listen to today's episode as Devon shares his l...
34: How to Win the "Numbers Game" and Reinvent Yourself (Andrew Ash - Software Engineer, Amazon)
October 30, 2017 13:30 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBResetting your career to pursue a life of your design provides its challenges. Those challenges are unique to each individual, but there are certainly frameworks we can utilize to help guide our progress to overcome them. Andrew Ash shares his most powerful framework, which we'll call "Playing the Numbers Game" for us on today's episode. You'll get the opportunity to see how playing this game has led him from a career as an actor in New York City to creating a new life of Empjoyment as soo...
33: There's Never The Right Time to Make a Change (Larry Port - CEO & Founder, Rocket Matter)
October 27, 2017 13:30 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBListen to this episode to hear Larry share: Approaches to convert angry and difficult customers to raving fans Considerations for several items of interest when starting a company including funding (self and venture capital), ownership structures, and scaling your business over time Suggestions on how to make the most of your time working for others while you're preparing to start your own company Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://empjoyment.com/larryport...
32: Rejection is not a reflection of you as a person (Amanda Oliver - Content & Brand Strategist, OrionCKB)
October 25, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBSubscribe to listen to this episode as we discuss how to: Determine your transferable skills from a prior role, industry, company to your new opportunity Utilize several tools to get clarity on how to figure how that you want from your work experiences Trust your intuition without guidance and a detailed call to action from your manager Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://empjoyment.com/amandaoliver Additional Resources for your Empjoyment Complimentary 1...
31: Focus on Solving Problems that Interest You to Find Joy in your Tech Career (Elan Greenberg - Senior Manager, DoorDash)
October 23, 2017 13:30 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBListen to this episode to hear Elan share: His lessons learned from his transitions from the Marines to Investment Banking to Senior Manager at DoorDash, a fast-growing technology company focused in on-demand delivery The methodical approach he used to structure his job search and systematically identify the companies and people he wanted to solve interesting problems with What empjoyment means to him and how identifying that has kept him engaged in his work Enjoy full episode notes, ...
30: If you're Not Happy, Change it! (Jess Bertling - User Experience Developer, NewBoCo)
October 20, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBListen to this episode now to learn how to: Pilot your own side project that both builds experience in areas you want to grow in and benefits your organization Navigate the structure of the development platform GitHub used by developers worldwide Identify resources available to help you make your next career transition, regardless of your location and professional background Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://empjoyment.com/jessbertling Additional Resour...
28: How to Align your Work with what's Truly Important to You at Your Core (Dorianne St. Fleur - HR Business Partner and Career Coach)
October 16, 2017 13:30 - 53 minutes - 37 MBListen to this episode now to learn how Dorianne: Navigates the transition from being a top performer in her role in the finance industry she knew well to finding her way to similar levels of success in tech Shares how “fast-paced” work environments have differed throughout her experience in tech industry and finance Empowers women to take charge of their career and obtain the career fulfillment they are working towards Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://e...
27: Keep Taking Swings to Achieve Fulfillment in Life and Work (Michael Mayer - Growth and Development, Betterment)
October 13, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBListen to this episode now to learn how to: Navigate moving to a new role within your company (aka internal mobility) in a way that continues to grow your career and move you to your ultimate goals of empjoyment Apply an entrepreneurial mindset to your work and side projects Become knowledgeable in a new field in a relatively short period of time Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://empjoyment.com/mikemayer Additional Resources for your Empjoyment Complime...
26: Practice Mindfulness to Adapt Quickly in Rapidly Changing Tech Environments (Nitya Shekar - Learning and Development Manager, AppNexus)
October 11, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBListen to this episode now to learn how to: Incorporate mindfulness into your daily activities (without having to add a brand new meditation practice) Design impactful experiences based on best practices Nitya has discovered first-hand Adapt to constantly changing work environments so you can navigate shifts in priorities, team structures, and budget and focus on the work that you need to get done do in the midst of it all Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https:...
25: Moving Past No’s to Reach your Objective (Claudio Vallejo – Product Designer, Managed by Q)
October 09, 2017 13:30 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBListen now to learn how to: Leverage a series of roadblocks to grow as a designer and build the skills that can lead you to your next role Approach your next product design project from inception to completion through a step-by-step process Describe the difference between product design and user experience design Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://empjoyment.com/claudiovallejo Additional Resources for your Empjoyment Complimentary 1-on-1 Tech Career ...
24: Volunteer with Non-profits to Build your Portfolio and Impact (Beth Awalt - Communications and Social Media Coordinator)
October 06, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBBy the time Beth Awalt was ready to find empjoyment through tech doing communications and social media, she had already organized a national campaign on a social media channel with tens of thousands of followers... through her volunteer efforts in her spare time. Beth takes the time to walk us through how you can also gain meaningful experience contributing to causes that you're passionate about today. Listen to this episode to hear Beth share: How she created a role based on her uniqu...
23: Stand Taller with Technology and Purpose to Create Value you Believe in (Matt Plaks - Product Outreach, Temboo)
October 04, 2017 13:30 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBJoin us as Matt Plaks shares how you and others like you can start getting involved now with opportunities in the growing space of the "internet of things". From a personal and professional development standpoint, you'll also gain strong insight into carrying out each day with purpose even when the opportunities may not seem to exist in your current role. Listen to this episode now to learn how to: Be purposeful in all aspects of your job to bring more empjoyment sooner in your career ...
22: Build Trust with your Clients by Being Candid about your Experience (Anna Jordan - Implementation Consultant, Tyler Technologies)
October 02, 2017 13:30 - 50 minutes - 34.4 MBAnna Jordan (Higher Education Admissions to Implementation Consultant) shows us the opportunity that comes from being a career changer who is underestimated...and then over delivers on today's episode. Enjoy full episode notes, discussions, and takeaways at https://empjoyment.com/annajordan Additional Resources for your Empjoyment Complimentary 1-on-1 Tech Career Coaching: I'm offering the complimentary personalized roadmap coaching experience to 15 high-achieving professionals who, des...
BONUS: Quick Announcement and Opportunity for Empjoyees
October 01, 2017 13:30 - 8 minutes - 6.01 MBThere are some important changes coming to the Empjoyment podcast and all of them work out in your favor! Listen now to hear Nemo explain what you can expect going forward!
21: Implement Organized Plans to Get your Next Role in Tech (Eugene Nam - Product Manager, Venuebook)
September 28, 2017 13:32 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MBDo you have to get lucky to get a role role in tech? What if you could create a plan to get from your current job to your next career opportunity in tech and implement it at a pace that you've set for yourself, over a time-frame that feels comfortable for you? How would it feel to give your current employer a month's notice before moving to your next role. Eugene Nam, today's featured Empjoyee, shows us a way to navigate our career transition and job changes with a sense of security and or...
20: How You Tell Your Story is Just as Important as Your Experience (Sumant Yerramilly – Head of Advertising, Edmodo)
September 27, 2017 13:30 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBReinventing yourself and your career is not an easy feat. In our pursuit of enjoyment through employment, it can often feel like a daunting and unsurmountable roadblock to overcome. How do you pivot your brand from being an expert in one thing (and quite frankly being exceptional at it) that doesn’t fulfill you to a new brand that positions your unique experiences as your value proposition in a business role in tech. Luckily, Sumant Yerramilly, our featured Empjoyee, lays out a step by ste...
19: Apply Your Existing Industry Knowledge to Start Your Career in Tech (Liz Sanders – Information Systems Project Manager, New York-Presbyterian Hospital)
September 26, 2017 13:30 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MBHave you thought about how valuable your industry experience can be within the tech world? We’re not just talking for startups and new tech companies, but throughout any type of organization. Often times, a background within a specific industry can prove a great differentiator for you as a candidate, and an immense value-add for employers. The best part is that this can be leveraged with or without technical skills or interest! Liz Sanders, today’s featured Empjoyee, shares with us how her...
18: Build a Portfolio of Projects and Experiences to transition into Data Science (Jonathan Ortiz, Data Scientist and Knowledge Engineer, Data.World)
September 25, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 51.8 MBData Science is a rapidly growing field within technology. But how do you make the transition into getting your first role? How do you navigate the terms, jargon, technical references and more when you’ve never worked in the role before. Jonathan Ortiz, our featured Empjoyee sheds a light on all of this for us today. Jonathan made the move from media to data science and spends this episode not only sharing his journey, but diving deeply into several elements of the world of Data Science. ...
17: Trust your intuition in times of change and uncertainty (Gabs Ricci, Marketplace Analyst - VenueBook)
September 24, 2017 13:30 - 53 minutes - 36.4 MBGoing against the status quo alone and following jumping into a completely different phase of your career can be daunting. There are several forces, both internal and external, that introduce doubt and anchor you into continuing down the path most others take. How do you build the courage, fortitude, and determination to break through the inertia keeping you where you are, so you can live the life and work the job that you've been wanted? Gabrielle Gabs Ricci shares their approach to ans...
16: Clarify your Intentions and Take on Experiences to Live Life by Design (Brian Ssennoga, Alumni Program Manager, Global Health Corps
September 21, 2017 13:30 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBNot every Empjoyee lives in a place where there is a vibrant tech community. However, today’s conversation with Brian Ssennoga proves that doesn’t mean there couldn’t be one in the future. It just might be up to you to make it come to life, and support that growth along the way. Today’s episode walks us through Brian’s journey to supporting Information and Commjunication Technologies (ICT) communities in Uganda and how he has been able to design a unique lifestyle and seek the right experi...
15: The 3 X-Factors that differentiate candidates regardless of tech background (Patrick Burke, Senior Director of Product and Analytics, Scientific Games Interactive)
September 20, 2017 13:30 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBAs Empjoyees, we're not about following the same path to success as others. We're about finding the best path for you and blazing a trail where you don't have to compete with others to transition into tech. Instead, you're in a whole league of your own. Patrick Burke, our featured Empjoyee today, shares his views on what really makes people enter their our differentiated league as well as what holds many qualified people from progressing forward in interviews. Enjoy! Listen now to ...
14: Take action and Book your Theater to Bring your Career in Tech Dreams to Life Faster (Alli Goldberg, Co-founder, Blogologues.org)
September 19, 2017 13:30 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MB"Follow your passion" is a common phrase people say when it comes to pursuing a new role. That's all well and good, but how does that translate when you feel that your passion has nothing to do with technology? Alli Goldberg, today's featured Empjoyee makes it clear that there really can be an intersection between what you love and technology. And if you're having a hard time finding it out there already, then you can create the future you want for yourself. Alli and her friend Jen J...
13: Use Targeted, Personalized Learning Experiences to Build Skills Faster (Maren Engh - Customer Education Manager, Optimizely)
September 18, 2017 13:30 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBGetting things done quickly in a tech company is one of the gold standards to success. But how do you manage to do that when you're just one person and there are multiple priorities that people have within the organization. Maren Engh, today's featured Empjoyee, dives into her experience implementing large-scale projects within her role as a Customer Education Manager at Optimizely. Enjoy! Full Episode notes over at https://empjoyment.com/marenengh Listen to this episode now to learn ...
12: Delivering Great Results for Clients in High-Stakes Situations (Sam Port, Creative Director - Proscenium)
September 17, 2017 13:30 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBYou've done it - it's your time to shine, and the pressure is on. The question is do you sink or swim? (Spoiler: You're an Empjoyee - You swim!) How do you: Handle the high-stakes situations that come with switching careers and progressing in your career? Find a way to bring your best self to work and do your best work when you only have one chance to get it right? Come back from a mistake or misunderstanding in a project so that you can deliver on project and customer goals? Today, ...
11: Turning a 7 year Gap into Tech Career Success (Adele Sanchez, VP of Partner Success)
September 14, 2017 13:30 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBQ: How do you transition into tech when you've had a long gap in US employment or have been out of the country for a while? A: Use what you did during that time to your advantage by incorporating it into your story and your differentiated value proposition. Our featured Empjoyee, Adele Sanchez did just that as she shares in today's conversation. This is not intended to be an over-glorification of the gap period, as Adele took steps to make an impact during that time. Instead, we encour...
10: Navigating your career in tech through multiple reorgs (Angela Christian, Account Manager – VenueBook)
September 13, 2017 13:30 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBRe-organizations (more commonly called “re-orgs”) are a common occurrence in tech companies as they grow and adapt to accomplish better meet product and market fit. These reorgs may result in a shift in team structure, priorities, and often the day to day roles. Knowing how to navigate the ambiguity and ultimately continue to make the most of your time at a company for both you and your employer is an important skill to strengthen in the tech world. Angela Christian walks us through her j...
9: Don't let sunk costs and fear of the unknown keep you from your dreams (Leslie Lai, Software Developer)
September 12, 2017 13:30 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBFull show Notes: https://empjoyment.com/9 Let's face it: making a career change when you've invested a lot just to get to where you are currently can feel really scary. To take things further, transitioning into a brand new industry can make the fear of the unknown (and whether you're making a good choice) even more overwhelming. We get it, we've been there, and we've got Leslie Lai's story to help you navigate that path to a place of personal fulfillment. Leslie holds nothing back a...
8: Set, Manage and Exceed Expectations to get hired and help clients succeed (James Kaikis, Sales Engineer Manager – Showpad)
September 11, 2017 13:30 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBAs a career changer, there is a natural level of risk associated with an employer taking you on for a role. In fact, the fear of making a mistake with a “risky” higher can be a common roadblock to getting into a new field. Great – now that that’s out in the open you can use this to your advantage. Why? Because you can make sure you’re taking steps to proactively mitigate that risk for an employer. James Kaikis shares several examples of how to set, manage, and exceed expectations for bot...
7: How to find all the answers you need to succeed at your job in tech (Mila Singh, Culture Strategist - CultureIQ)
September 10, 2017 13:30 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBOne thing that holds a lot of us back from making the career change we know that we’re meant to make is the nagging feeling that we don’t know enough about the job/ product/ company industry/ [insert your personal limiting belief here] to truly excel in a new career in tech. Mila Singh, our featured Empjoyee today shares a simple, yet powerful tool to bridge every gap you come across at work – Ask questions. Get the full episode notes at https://empjoyment.com/milasingh Listen now to l...
6: Embrace the positive power of being non-technical within a tech company (Deniz Cebenoyan, Senior Product Manager – Revinate)
September 07, 2017 13:30 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBFull episode summary: https://empjoyment.com/denizcebenoyan You got this! Deniz Cebenoyan, our featured Empjoyee, reminds us that you already know what you need to know to be able to be widely successful in tech. It’s not about the specific skill sets that you possess, but rather how you approach problems, adversity, ambiguity, and more that plays a key a role in your ability to add value in a tech company. Deniz sheds some light on the Imposter Syndrome and how she has transformed her...
5: Reframe Your Problems to Solve them Faster (Jon Fosdick, Software Engineer - AppNexus)
September 06, 2017 13:30 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MBVisit https://empjoyment.com/jonfosdick for full show notes Jon Fosdick's journey is one of perseverance and making consistent strides towards an overall goal: to become a software engineer. We're happy to share that at the time of this recording, he was just transitioning into his first role as a software engineer. Leveraging a computer science major from years passed, he harnessed his skills on-the-job as a testing analyst writing scripts to test the code written by other developers. T...
4: It's OK not to know when you're transitioning into tech (Katie Sawyer, Content Marketing Manager - Eventbrite)
September 05, 2017 13:30 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MBInterested in putting your skills and passion for writing to good use in tech? Are you prone to find ways to connect and build relationships with people through text? Regardless of your writing background and aspirations, today's episode with Katie Sawyer, Content Marketing Manager at Eventbrite, is bound to shed some light on how you can truly delight customers in tech through content marketing. Katie spends time shining a light on some of the myths and misconceptions that she had when ...
3: Leverage design principles to create the best experience for your users – Angélique Bélizaire (Product Designer)
September 04, 2017 13:30 - 53 minutes - 37 MBHave you ever heard the quote “If you build it, they will come.” from the movie Field of Dreams? That might have worked at the time that it was released, but in today’s economy that phrase speaks more to the dreamer than the successful person in technology. Why? Because in today’s global economy, where there are lower barriers to entry for new businesses, products, and marketing, there are far more options for a customer or user to choose from. To meet this shift in consumer behavior, co...
2: How to manage digital and tech products within a large financial company (Alaric Eby, Product Manager – American Express)
September 04, 2017 01:00 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBIf you’ve been trying to figured out how to keep the security and structure of a well-established, large company while pursuing a life in tech, you’ll definitely want to listen to today’s episode with Alaric Eby (probably multiple times)! Alaric’s journey starts right at the beginning of the most recent economic depression in the United States working at a Citigroup, a large financial institution in New York City. He’ll share his struggles in making his transition into Product Management...
1: Use your past experiences and interests to provide value to your team and customers (Monette Sommers, Senior Product Specialist - SurveyMonkey)
September 04, 2017 00:30 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBThroughout your career journey, you'll likely find aspects of different roles and project that speak to you both in terms of interests and skills. With your transition into tech, you'll have the opportunity to find a role and contribute value to your team in a unique manner based on your personal background. Monette Sommers has done exactly that in her career and share her tips and strategies for how you too can experience enjoyment through employment by bundling your unique set of skill...
0: Start Here - How you'll benefit from the Empjoyment Podcast
August 26, 2017 08:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBLet's start off by getting to know each other and explaining why the Empjoyment podcast exists. Enjoy!