Un-gatekeeping Career Cheat Codes for Gen Z

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson sits down with Avni Barman—engineer, product leader, investor, and founder of Gen She, a media company and venture fund empowering over 500,000 Gen Z women across Instagram, TikTok, newsletters, podcasts, and a job board.

With over four years of experience in Big Tech as both an engineer and product manager, Avni shares her journey of building a high-impact platform and investing directly in the future of women in entrepreneurship, tech, venture, and media. Gen She writes $50–$100K checks into startups led by their own community, with a mission to help young women break into the top 1%.

Courtney and Avni dive into actionable “cheat codes” for career acceleration—how to document your work to negotiate raises, land internships that matter more than grades, send cold outreach that opens doors, promote yourself with intention, and build leverage in the job market. They also discuss the power of community, how to navigate chaotic startup environments, and creative ways to access high-value opportunities like conferences for free.

This conversation challenges outdated career advice and offers a modern, tactical roadmap for young professionals who want to make bold moves and own their path forward.

Avni Barman’s Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avnibarman_/<br> TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@avnibarman_<br> LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avnibarman/

Gen She Newsletter: https://newsletter.generationshe.co/subscribe<br> Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gen.she/<br> Fund Website: https://www.generationshe.co/fund

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson

Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

Work with Courtney:

Sunrise Content Club: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club

Level Up on Linkedin: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

Short Form Video Accelerator: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc