Working In Tech

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Adekunle Ayodele. Adekunle is a Senior Technical Program Lead at Meta with over 25 years of experience leading program and product execution across complex, high-impact initiatives.He’s the founder of Fostr, a global community supporting Africans and allies in Big Tech and startups. He also created Podway, a guided platform that helps people gain clarity and momentum in their careers and lives through structured pods and community support.Adekunle will share how he’s built a career at the intersection of strategy, execution, and community, and how he’s helping underrepresented talent thrive in tech.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH ADEKUNLELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adekunleayodele/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:50 - Building Technology to Big Tech13:10 - Mentorship26:00 - FAANG, Google Rejections, Interview Tips37:00 - Giving the Right Signals in Interviews51:00 - Resume Tips59:30 - Fostr, Podway, and Community Building1:03:00 - Final Words1:08:30 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to DJ Lewis, a top-performing Sales Engineer who helps enterprise leaders turn big cloud, data, and AI plans into real results. He’s responsible for driving multi-million dollar cloud revenue and partnering with executive teams to simplify complex systems.A Georgia Tech alum, DJ is also deeply involved in the Atlanta community, raising hundreds of thousands for scholarships and mentoring first-gen professionals.DJ will talk about how he built a career at the intersection of tech and strategy, and how he stays grounded through community work.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH DJLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djlewis212/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:50 - Why Tech?6:10 - Learning Cloud 13:15 - Finding A Sales Job19:50 - Sales Engineer Skills32:20 - Prioritization41:25 - Getting the First Job55:00 - Working outside your Comfort Zone1:03:30 - Final Words1:04:06 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to Homer Gaines, a designer, UI engineer, and certified accessibility professional with over 30 years of experience. With a background in behavioral psychology and neurology, Homer leads and promotes accessibility at every stage of the product development process.Homer will share how his career has shaped his approach to inclusive design, what accessibility looks like in real product teams, and tips for building tech that works for everyone.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH HOMERLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homergaines/Blog: http://www.rightbadcode.com/Speaker Booking: https://sessionize.com/homergainesCHAPTERS0:00 - Intro 1:16 - Accessibility in Tech7:20 - Breaking into UX25:45 - Opportunities in Accessibility35:16 - Career Path 40:00 - Simple Communication48:10 - Empathy in UX1:02:05 - Final Words1:03:40 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to Chima, a seasoned tech strategist with 10 years of experience leading strategy and operations across e-commerce, health-tech, gaming, and fintech.Chima started his career in management consulting before transitioning into tech, where he’s applied his analytical skills to solve complex problems at scale. Passionate about sharing what he’s learned, Chima also mentors aspiring tech professionals and helps others build careers that can evolve with the industry.He’ll share how to grow across industries, build transferable skills, and stay relevant in a fast-changing field.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH CHIMALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chima-onyewuchi-394a7432/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:30 - Why Consulting?5:45 - Strategy & Ops13:40 - Building Strategic Skills19:17 - Switching into Tech22:45 - Tips for Newcomers24:45 - Experience in Multiple Industries34:00 - Embracing AI45:30 - Salary Expectations47:40 - Bad Advice, Interview Tips51:30 - Final Advice57:50 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Bree Hall. Bree is a Software Engineer turned Developer Advocate at HubSpot who’s passionate about making tech more accessible.She creates technical content to help developers build on their own and feel more confident in their skills.Bree will share how she transitioned from engineering to DevRel, what it’s like working on a Developer Advocacy team, and tips for helping others learn and grow in tech.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH BREELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannahall0/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCCoKFWpai3OO1R0e_AHeNKA CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:10 - Breaking into Tech in 20255:10 - Why Software Developer21:00 - Are CS Degrees Cooked?27:00 - Is AI Taking Your Job?39:35 - Day to Day of a DevRel45:00 - The Rewarding Part of DevRel49:50 - How to Become a Developer Advocate53:00 - Building in Public59:50 - Tips for Non-techie Techies1:03:00 - Final Words1:05:00 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to Kadisi Mitee. Kadisi is an Enterprise Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he builds cloud solutions at scale. He began his tech journey as a temporary fulfillment center associate and joined AWS in 2020. Since then, he has earned seven AWS certifications.Kadisi is also the founder of Prompt Computers, a company committed to empowering Nigerians to start and grow careers in tech. Through training, support, and employment opportunities, he’s helped many individuals gain the skills and confidence to break into the industry.Kadisi will share how he transitioned into cloud architecture, how Prompt Computers is bridging the gap between local talent and global opportunities, and tips for building a meaningful tech career from the ground up.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH KADISILinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadisi/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:10 - From Zero to Solutions Architect16:00 - Certifications and Free Learning21:35 - Breaking into Tech in 202527:55 - Climbing the Ranks in Amazon 42:46 - Software Engineer in Solutions Architecture53:00 - Building Excellence58:45 - SA in the Cloud1:01:40 - Kadisi's Company1:05:30 - Getting a job as a Grad1:08:40 - Final Words1:09:40 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Milecia McGregor. Milecia is an Associate Director and Senior Staff Engineer at Method, where she helps startups build full-stack TypeScript prototypes and manage cloud infrastructure on AWS.She’s held engineering leadership roles at Mediavine, written technical tutorials for DigitalOcean, and worked across the stack at companies like Mozilla, MindTrust, and Conducto. She also founded Flipped Coding, a mentorship program for aspiring developers.She will share how she went from a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering to senior software roles, the value of technical writing and developer advocacy, and her advice for building a flexible and lasting tech career.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH MILECIALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milecia/Company Website: https://flippedcoding.com/ Blog: https://dev.to/flippedcodingPortfolio: https://github.com/flippedcoderBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1098122259CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:57 - Why Tech13:56 - Joining Communities20:53 - First Tech Job27:00 - Interview Tips35:00 - Dev Rel43:40 - Technical Writing46:30 - FlippedCoding and Helping Young Devs53:00 - Workplace Relationships1:01:16 - Salary Progression1:04:00 - Final Words1:06:29 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Casey Jostine. Casey started his career as a 7th-grade math teacher through Teach For America before pivoting into tech.He went on to earn a Master’s in Information Systems and now works as a Technical Product Manager at Microsoft, where he leads hardware capacity and decommissioning for Outlook and Exchange.Casey is also the founder of Dresscode, a tech-inspired fashion brand that makes STEM more accessible through clothing. And he plays a key role in Atlanta’s tech community as a Director at RenderATL, the Southeast’s largest tech conference.Casey will share how he made the switch from teaching to tech, what it’s like managing large-scale systems at Microsoft, and how he’s using fashion and community to inspire the next generation.Cracking the PM Interview: https://amzn.to/3HPaIYG𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH CASEYLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyjostine/Website: http://www.thedresscodeco.com/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:50 - RenderATL2:20 - Why Tech?11:27 - Nurturing Talent15:25 - Breaking into Tech22:25 - Skills for Product Managers26:00 - Transition from Entrepreneurship29:15 - Attending Tech Conferences35:20 - Using AI37:20 - Salary Progression40:47 - Negotiation Tips44:50 - DRESSCODE54:00 - Render 2026!57:20 - What Makes a Great Resume59:40 - Showing up to an Interview1:01:27 - Final Words1:03:30 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Jerome Johnson, II. Jerome is a tech executive with over 20 years of experience in both the commercial and government sectors. As Director of Solutions Architecture for National Security at AWS, he leads a portfolio in cloud solutions and emerging technologies.Jerome specializes in Cloud Computing, AI/ML, and Quantum Computing, and has modernized Intelligence Agency programs throughout his decade at AWS. Jerome will share his journey in tech, the keys to succeeding in the industry, and his advice on how to make an impact with emerging technologies.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechieThreads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechieCONNECT WITH JEROMELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromejohnsonii/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:53 - Why Tech?4:45 - Importance of Learning Programs7:34 - Soft Skills 10:13 - What does a Solutions Architect do?13:20 - Organizational Dynamics16:45 - Work Experience19:25 - Skills for SA22:10 - Entry level?23:30 - Learning DevOps27:30 - Courses, Certs, College30:40 - Building a Portfolio37:00 - Asking the Right Questions41:50 - SA vs SE49:00 - Why SAs Get Paid $$53:25 - Working in Regulated Industries58:00 - Is AI Taking Our Jobs?1:07:10 - Final Words1:09:11 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Tochi. Tochi is a tech professional with experience across Technology Sales, Program Management, and Technology Advisory. She has worked with global companies like Deloitte, Oracle, KPMG, Microsoft, and currently UiPath, where she helps enterprise customers scale their Automation and AI journey as a Customer Success Manager. Outside of her corporate career, Tochi provides advisory services to nonprofits and has served on the boards of Girls' Scouts of Central Texas and Blacks in Technology Chicago Chapter. She currently leads programs for the LeadHer Foundation, supporting at-risk female students in Houston.Tochi will share her journey through tech, the impact of community involvement, and tips for excelling in tech and beyond.𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏Facebook:   / juwonthetechie  Twitter:   / juwonthetechie  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechieIG:   / juwonthetechie  LinkedIn:   / juwon-io  TikTok:   / juwonthetechie  CONNECT WITH TOCHILinkedIn:   / tochi-kanu-ivi  Blog: http://astoldbytochi.blogspot.com/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:50 - Customer Service vs Customer Success4:09 - What Do CSMs do?7:28 - Why CSM?12:40 - Asking Questions14:20 - Approaching People28:45 - Technical vs Non-technical39:44 - Skills for Customer Success48:25 - Salary Progression50:20 - The Path to CSM56:40 - Final Words58:50 - Conclusion