Working In Tech

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to Kedron Abbott. Kedron is a Senior Software Engineer at HashiCorp, where he works on making software more reliable, secure, and easy to use at scale.He also serves on the board of Geeks &&, a San Antonio-based tech community with over 2,000 members. Through résumé reviews, AI showcases, and student interview prep, Kedron helps others grow their careers and give back to the tech community.Kedron will share his journey into software engineering, and how to grow your 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 KEDRONLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kedron-abbott/GitHub: http://github.com/kedron-abbottCHAPTERS0:00 - Intro0:50 - Why Tech?2:00 - Getting Kids Interested in Tech3:50 - Is College Necessary?13:10 - Giving Back to the Community18:55 - Getting into Big Companies20:55 - Choosing a role in Tech32:45 - Earning Potential34:01 - Vibe Coding39:22 - Job Hopping 44:38 - Becoming a Top Software Engineer47:40 - Networking54:35 - Mentorship57:12 - Building Technical Skills59:43 - Day to Day1:02:25 - Encouragement for Newbies1:03:17 - How Long It Takes to Become a SE1:04:30 - Kedron’s Meetups1:06:08 - Final Words1:07:35 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to William Orgertrice. William is a data engineer at Cargill, one of the largest privately owned companies in the U.S., where he helps develop data solutions that impact billions of people daily.With experience at Fortune 500 companies like The Home Depot, Randstad, and Global Payments, William has worked on large-scale projects that drive business strategy and generate millions in revenue.Beyond his corporate career, he’s the founder of BeforeTheBillions LLC, where he empowers aspiring tech professionals through his YouTube channel and newsletter, sharing insights on breaking into and growing in tech. His work has been featured in Business Insider, ForbesBLK, and Shoutout Atlanta.William will share his journey into tech, key lessons from working with data at scale, and advice for those looking to build a 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 WILLIAMLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamorgertrice/Website: https://williamorgertrice.com/YouTube:  @BeforeTheBillions  CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:35 - Why Tech?2:45 - Having His Dad as a Mentor 9:30 - How Data Engineering Works12:25 - Learning Data16:35 - Building a Network20:45 - First Job in Tech27:20 - Mentorship45:40 - Content Creation50:02 - Getting Laid Off56:00 - Helping Others1:02:00 - Job Application Advice1:11:35 - Final Words1:13:30 - Data Engineering Skills1:15:20 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkinginTech, we're talking to Increase Okechukwu Divine-Wisdom. Increase is the Co-Founder and CEO of Habilis Fusion Inc., a Canadian startup using AI to revolutionize how people connect with skilled professionals. He is also the founder of Anecdotal AI, an award-winning health tech platform that won the AfroTech 2024 AI Global Hackathon for its innovative approach to patient advocacy and the management and diagnosis of chronic environmentally acquired illnesses.Increase will share his journey founding Habilis Fusion and Anecdotal AI, his insights on AI innovation, and advice for using technology to solve real-world problems.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 INCREASELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/okechukwudivine/Website: https://habilisfusion.co/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:10 - Breaking into Tech in 20254:45 - AI for Health Diagnosis7:45 - Applying for the Competition18:00 - Learning Tech33:15 - Developing AI Apps46:00 - The AI Age56:45 - Final Words1:01:00 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Shantell. Shantell has built a remarkable career with roles at Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Lenovo, and Amazon. She’s also the Managing Founder of Inside Out Strategies, where she focuses on using tech for good.Shantell is passionate about mentorship, inclusion, and diversity in tech, and has spoken at major conferences about these topics. She co-authored a book on overcoming life’s challenges and has been recognized as a distinguished ‘45 Under 45’ alumni.Shantell will share her journey navigating the tech industry, her commitment to empowering others, and how to use your career to make a real impact.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 SHANTELLLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantellthomas/Website: https://www.shantellthomas.com/Book Site: https://www.40dayresetbook.com/The #WorkingInTech series follows the career journeys of thriving tech professionals. We unpack their career stories to turn lessons learned into useful tips to help you make winning career moves.On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Shantell. Shantell has built a remarkable career with roles at Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Lenovo, and Amazon. She’s also the Managing Founder of Inside Out Strategies, where she focuses on using tech for good.Shantell is passionate about mentorship, inclusion, and diversity in tech, and has spoken at major conferences about these topics. She co-authored a book on overcoming life’s challenges and has been recognized as a distinguished ‘45 Under 45’ alumni.Shantell will share her journey navigating the tech industry, her commitment to empowering others, and how to use your career to make a real impact.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 SHANTELLLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantellthomas/Website: https://www.shantellthomas.com/Book Site: https://www.40dayresetbook.com/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro6:19 - Skills That Made My Career12:00 - Finding What's Easy15:14 - Making it in Big Tech19:00 - Realistic First Job21:55 - Interview Tips26:58 - Employee Experience Manager38:30 - Layoffs in the Industry49:55 - Career and Salary Progression53:15 - Advice for Industry Transitioners56:30 - Final Words57:54 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Daniel Imhans. Daniel is a cloud security expert with over eight years of experience across different industries.As the founder of HackerProof HQ, he helps individuals and organizations improve their cybersecurity. Through his mentorship program, he supports students and career changers looking to break into tech.Daniel will share his journey in cloud security, tips for staying safe online, and advice for anyone looking to start a career in cybersecurity.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 DANIELInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/baba__daniel/Website: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Victoria Walker. Victoria is the Founder of Vivify Solutions Inc., a one-stop-shop software development company operating remotely out of Atlanta, GA. She specializes in building teams and creating seamless, repeatable processes to help innovators develop and market successful applications.Victoria has been in the tech space since 2013 and a Fullstack Software Engineer since 2019. Her impact has been recognized—she was featured in Voyage ATL magazine’s Hidden Gems and won Best Tech Professional of the Year 2022 from BUiLT International, where she also serves as the Atlanta Chapter Co-Leader.Victoria will share her journey into tech, lessons from building Vivify Solutions, and key insights for anyone looking to launch and scale a successful 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 VICTORIALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-s-walker/Website: https://app.revature.com/profile/vswalker96/GitHub: https://github.com/vswalker96CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:10 - Why Tech?7:10 - Learning Journey10:25 - Getting in without a Degree12:40 - Getting Support18:45 - A Long Journey25:40 - Networking29:35 - Projects42:45 - Support System45:20 - Mentorship56:10 - Best Skills to Learn in 202558:30 - Outlook for Software Engineering1:00:50 - Biggest Career Challenge1:09:00 - Final Words1:10:20 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Levi. Levi is a software developer, content creator, and college student passionate about building products that make a difference.Through his YouTube channel, Levi shares insights on the tech industry, upskilling, and career growth, helping developers navigate their careers and stay ahead in a fast-changing field.Levi will share his journey as a developer, the impact of content creation in tech, and tips for growing your skills and 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 LEVILinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi-okoye/CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro2:00 - Why Tech?11:00 - Self-learning vs College24:10 - A Long Journey30:12 - Content Creation Journey39:00 - Sharing Online51:35 - Impostor Syndrome55:45 - Future Plans58:45 - Proof of Improvement1:03:50 - Inspirations1:07:17 - Final Words1:10:31 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Esther Taiwo. Esther is an AI & Data Analytics Engineer who has worked with industry leaders like Access Bank, American Express, and SDG&E. She uses technology to solve problems, unlock insights, and fuel business growth. As a member of ForbesBLK and Afrotech Insider, Esther is committed to advancing AI-driven strategies that empower businesses to expand and thrive. Esther will share her journey into AI and data analytics, lessons from her work with leading companies, and advice for using technology to make an impact.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 ESTHERLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-taiwo-aa84b4b2/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Breaking into Tech in 2025 8:00 - Getting the first Tech Job 13:00 - The First Two Offers 18:30 - Interviews 23:50 - Nigeria vs US 25:00 - Interviews are harder than the Job 28:30 - Frameworks for Interviews 31:00 - Finding out info about your Role 34:45 - Mentorship 44:30 - The day-to-day 47:00 - AI & Data Engineering 53:20 - Roadmap for Newbies 59:10 - Salary 59:45 - Final Words 1:00:50 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Olasunkanmi, also known as Yaki. Yaki is a cybersecurity enthusiast, developer, and tech problem-solver pursuing his Master’s in Cybersecurity at Purdue University with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Yaki has gained experience at companies like Bloomberg, GEICO, and Capgemini, where he’s worked on red team engagements, incident response, security engineering, and advanced security architecture. He also holds over 10 Cloud & Security certifications, including OSCP, CRTO, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, which have played a vital role in his journey. Yaki will share his path into tech, his passion for solving complex problems, and actionable tips for navigating this ever-evolving field. 𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CONNECT WITH YAKI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sodunke-olasunkanmi/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Where does ‘Yaki’ Come From? 1:50 - Why Tech? 5:30 - Diverse Experiences in Tech 10:05 - Getting the First Job 14:43 - No. 1 Skill 17:55 - Getting a Master’s 22:50 - Networking 24:00 - Academic Excellence 26:18 - Certifications to Have 31:00 - Failure 35:00 - Passing the Security + 37:35 - Biggest Learning Curve 40:40 - Newbie in Cybersecurity 46:30 - Salary Progression 49:00 - Goldman Sachs Program 58:05 - Projects 1:00:10 - Collaboration 1:03:10 - Final Words 1:05:10 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Devonie Nelson. Devonie began her cybersecurity journey in 2022 while pursuing a Master’s in Security Management at the University of Houston-Downtown. With no technical background, she overcame challenges and discovered her passion for the field. Through mentorship and involvement in organizations like Black Girls Hack and Women in Cybersecurity, Devonie is committed to helping minorities and first-generation students navigate their paths into STEM. Devonie will share her story of breaking into cybersecurity, insights from her journey, and advice for anyone starting their own tech career. 𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CONNECT WITH DEVONIE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonie-nelson/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Breaking into Tech in 2025 4:00 - Using Resources and Self-learning 10:05 - Choosing the Path in Tech 12:10 - Seeing it’s Possible 15:55 - Getting the First Job 23:00 - LinkedIn 28:30 - Handling Stress 30:20 - Tips for Mastering Cybersecurity 32:45 - Finding a Mentor 35:20 - Questions to ask a Mentor 42:15 - Keeping up with the News 44:00 - The Different Roles in Cybersecurity 47:15 - Coding in Cybersecurity 48:08 - Certifications 54:15 - Network Engineering 55:11 - Department of Defense Certifications 57:10 - Earning Potential 1:03:00 - IT Support Roles as a Path 1:04:40 - Final Words 1:05:00 - Conclusion