Working In Tech

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

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Eno Akpan. Eno is a Solution Architect with a background in biomedical and software engineering. After starting her career at Goldman Sachs, she transitioned into biomedical research before finding her place in the tech world. Eno brings a unique blend of technical skills and strategic thinking, bridging business needs and technology solutions. In this episode, Eno will share her journey into tech, how she made her career transitions, and the insights that have shaped her success. Don’t miss it! 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 ENO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eno-akpan/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Breaking into Tech 6:02 - Learning Journey 12:50 - Getting the First Role 16:17 - Leaving Goldman Sachs 17:15 - Switching Roles in Tech 23:50 - Toolsets 31:25 - What is DevOps? 33:00 - How to Become a DevOps Engineer 34:55 - DevOps Tools 36:00 - Continuous Learning 37:10 - Building a Support System 41:20 - Experience in Multiple Roles 47:48 - Earning Potential 50:00 - Mentorship and Networking 54:10 - Advice for Newbies 55:42 - Final Words 56:30 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Walner Dort. Walner is a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft with a strong background in engineering, team leadership, and product operations. He leads work on Defender for APIs and DevOps Security as part of the Customer Engineering (CXE) team, focusing on customer adoption, product updates, and feedback-driven improvements. Walner is skilled in product leadership, roadmapping, research, and cross-functional collaboration. Known for his analytical approach, he consistently delivers solutions that align with business goals. Walner will share insights from his career, tips for thriving in product management, and advice for driving innovation and collaboration in tech. CONNECT WITH ME: 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 WALNER: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walnerdort/ Substack: walner.substack.com CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Breaking into Tech 6:00 - Networking at Events 9:46 - Working at Microsoft 11:38 - Product Engineering vs Product Management 18:15 - Getting into Cybersecurity 24:00 - How to Learn Cybersecurity 25:35 - API & DevOps 29:15 - Getting Better at Interviews 40:20 - Self-learning 47:05 - Finding Mentors 51:25 - Is Product Saturated? 53:35 - Details vs Big Picture 56:10 - Building a better Life with Tech 58:40 - Why Macro-thinking? 1:00:20 - Salary Progression 1:01:50 - Final Words 1:03:20 - Conclusion

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to Wes Jones, a seasoned Wireless Solutions Consultant with over six years in telecommunications, working with industry leaders like AT&T and T-Mobile. Wes has built his career helping businesses optimize through custom connectivity solutions, from fiber to wireless. Currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on Data Analytics, Finance, and Entrepreneurship, Wes is adding even more depth to his work. Today, he’ll share his journey in telecom, insights on driving business growth through connectivity, and tips for building a successful 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 WES LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-jones-783517241/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Discovering Sales and Tech 8:00 - Who is a Solutions Consultant? 14:50 - Getting an MBA 17:10 - What’s Next? 18:38 - A Day In The Life 21:40 - Winning and Losing in Sales 24:00 - Mentoring 27:50 - Teamwork 29:18 - Fiber Networking 36:20 - “Everyone is in Sales” 45:03 - Securing the First Role 48:24 - Courses, Books, & Learning 50:10 - Salary Progression 53:44 - Interview Prep 55:35 - Potential of Growth in the Industry 57:50 - Networking 1:00:04 - Final Words 1:01:00 - Conclusion