In this episode, Dr. Joan Bajorek—AI entrepreneur, author of Your AI Roadmap, and founder of Clarity AI—joins Charna Parkey to talk about what it really takes to build a future in AI. From career pivots and layoff anxiety to financial transparency and finding joy in your work, Joan shares practical advice and personal stories navigating fear, burnout, and career uncertainty in tech, while staying grounded in purpose, community, and long-term resilience.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] — Introduction to Joan Bajorek & Her Work

[00:02:00] — Transparency About Finances and Career

[00:04:00] — The Taboo Around Talking About Money

[00:06:00] — Resilience During Tech Layoffs

[00:08:00] — How to Get Credit for Your Work

[00:12:00] — Should You Chase an AI Job?

[00:14:00] — Career Goals vs. Financial Security

[00:16:00] — Translating Academic and Life Skills into Tech

[00:18:00] — Defining and Finding Joy in Work

[00:20:00] — Multiple Income Streams and Personal Freedom

[00:24:00] — AI’s Near-Future Impact on Jobs and Industries

[00:26:00] — Data and AI Opportunities in Underexplored Domains

[00:34:00] — Creating Scalable, Alternative Income Models

[00:36:00] — How Joan Maintains Long-Term Motivation

[00:42:00] — Post-Interview Discussion

QUOTES

Joan Bajorek
"Networking is how I've gotten the best opportunities and jobs of my life... LinkedIn has this research about how after COVID layoffs, 70% of people landed their next job based on an intro."

Charna Parkey

"I always try to strive for transparency, and I get such mixed results where at work with coworkers, it's absolutely valued. And then there seems to always be some sort of consequences in my personal life."

Your AI Roadmap: Building a Career, Revenue and a Future in AI | Dr. Joan Bajorek