IT Career Energizer

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Rob Rastovich, the Chief Technical Officer at ThingLogix, a provider of Internet of Things solutions, solution components and advisory services. He has been actively involved in technology for nearly 30 years including what is now known as Amazon’s AWS IoT. As CTO of ThingLogix he is the chief architect behind the company’s ground-breaking IoT platform that eliminates the need for code. Rob talks about the importance of continual learning and how it can advance our IT career paths. He also discusses why we must never feel boxed in by the career we choose, and why it’s okay to follow our passions into other fields.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP We must always be learning. The IT industry is never static, and so we must endeavour to keep abreast of what’s new, and master the skills and tools that push us forward.   WORST CAREER MOMENT While working on a job, Rob accidentally deleted some invaluable information on a server. It taught him to always make sure that he is aware of the consequences of every command entered.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT The Amazon acquisition was a particular highlight. The early development of these systems were a period of experimentation and discovery, and provided much insight and motivation.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The disappearing of laptops, computers and browsers, and the advancements that will replace them. The internet will become less of a service that we plug into, and something that becomes more ubiquitous – more device agnostic.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – After his first successful attempts at coding, Rob was hooked. What’s the best career advice you received? – To go all in on ideas, and never live with any regrets. What’s the worst career advice you received? – That Rob would be paid when the company went IPO. What would you do if you started your career now? –To have focused more time looking at the possibilities of cloud computing. What are your current career objectives? – Rob is focusing on stepping back from the cutting edge of innovation, and spending more time in guiding the next generation of thinkers and dreamers. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Ranching has taught Rob the value of balance. How do you keep your own career energized? – Rob is always researching and looking for the next big thing. What do you do away from technology? – Rob spends his time on his ranch, and enjoys outdoor pursuits.   FINAL CAREER TIP Rid yourself of the idea that your career path is permanent. Remain fluid, and if you find diversions that thrill you more than the path you’re already on, follow your heart and diversify.   BEST MOMENTS  (6:37) – Rob - “The ability to discern and learn and absorb quickly has been the cornerstone for me” (6:50) – Rob - “That’s a skill that you learn – how to learn” (15:09) – Rob – “Being on the cutting edge is fun and exciting, but it’s not as profitable as being right behind that” (18:55) – Rob – “Shoot for the stars, and if you miss you’ll end up on the moon”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS  Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – ROB RASTOVICH Rob Rastovich is the Chief Technical Officer at ThingLogix, a provider of Internet of Things solutions, solution components and advisory services. He has been actively involved in technology for nearly 30 years including what is now known as Amazon’s AWS IoT. As CTO of ThingLogix he is the chief architect behind the company’s ground-breaking IoT platform that eliminates the need for code.   CONTACT THE GUEST – ROB RASTOVICH Rob Rastovich can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thinglogix LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-rastovich-1560532/ Website: https://www.thinglogix.com/

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Leila Singh, a tech industry career coach who works with high-achieving career professionals who may be feeling stuck, frustrated and undervalued. She has a passion for bringing out the best in others which she does through the mi-brand academy. She is also a TEDx & Keynote Speaker, an Author and host of the mi-brand HQ podcast. Leila talks about why hard work is only part of the reason you’ll advance in your IT career. She also discusses why you need to be remembered for the right reasons to the people who matter.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Hard work alone is not enough to succeed in your career. You also need to make yourself know, and to stand out in order to advance.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Upon joining a new organization, Leila quickly began to realise that the culture was not compatible with her own values. It also taught her the value of standing out for the right reasons.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Leila counts her entire career trajectory as her career highlight, which was diverse and colourful at the outset. Hard work and dedication has seen her identify the path she always desired, and she has made fruitful leaps and bounds ever since.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The industry is exciting dynamic, and filled with opportunities for all kinds of people with all kinds of skill sets. The playing field is level and open, and all are welcome.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – What’s the best career advice you received? – To make yourself known What’s the worst career advice you received? – That one cannot move on without experience. What would you do if you started your career now? – Leila would travel a very similar journey to the one she has behind her already. What are your current career objectives? – Growing the coaching practice and increasing reputation in the industry. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Communication and relationship building. How do you keep your own career energized? – Something that challenges and which aids in self-development. What do you do away from technology? – Leila’s guilty pleasure is Tony Hadley and 80s music, as well as self-development and time with friends and family.   FINAL CAREER TIP If you’re looking to further your career, you must be remembered for the right reasons to the people who matter, and who can make that ascension happen for you.   BEST MOMENTS  (3:15) – Leila - “Tech is a very dynamic and exciting industry to be in, and it’s vastly growing” (4:42) – Leila - “it’s about selling yourself, , and understanding how you can do that will enable you to propel yourself through your career” (6:15) – Leila – “You need to make yourself known, and stand out to make an impact” (24:41) – Leila – “There’s always transferrable skills and experience that you gain from everything that you do”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS  Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – LEILA SINGH Leila Singh is a tech industry career coach who works with high-achieving career professionals who may be feeling stuck, frustrated and undervalued. She has a passion for bringing out the best in others which she does through the mi-brand academy. She is also a TEDx & Keynote Speaker, an Author and host of the mi-brand HQ podcast.   CONTACT THE GUEST – LEILA SINGH Leila Singh can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/leila_singh001 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-singh Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PersonalBrandingwithLeila Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leila_singh001/ Website: http://www.mi-brand.com/ Resource: www.leilasingh.com/go/playbook

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Fernando Doglio, who describes himself as a fulltime geek. He’s an experienced Software Development Manager and architect with a background in Web Development and Big Data architectures. He also writes technical articles and is a published author, his latest book being ‘Codes Well with Others’ which is being published by Manning. Fernando talks about why we must continue to learn throughout our careers. He also discusses why it’s okay to ask questions in order to make sure we do the job well.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP You must always learn how to learn. Development is the key to a long and successful career in IT, which is always changing and always growing.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Early in his career, Fernando deleted the homepage belonging to a client due to a minor error. Luckily a fellow worker had kept a backup, but it taught Fernando the value of taking care to back up at every moment.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT The current position being held is one that brings great satisfaction and potential. It is the culmination of everything that Fernando has been searching for during his career so far.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T It is ever-changing and has the potential to supply endless possibilities. The industry is exploding with talent, and people can work to make it better from anywhere in the world.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Early computers in childhood showed the influence that computing could have on the world. What’s the best career advice you received? – Leave your problems at the door What’s the worst career advice you received? – That experience is essential to begin your career. What would you do if you started your career now? – Fernando would work towards building a presentable portfolio on Github. What are your current career objectives? – Management and developing his project management skills. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Writing and expressing ideas through words. How do you keep your own career energized? – Writing every day including articles, which keeps the learnings fresh. What do you do away from technology? – Family time is incredibly important   FINAL CAREER TIP It’s okay to use Google and online resources, to ask silly questions, in order to learn something new or even to remind yourself of something you’ve forgotten.   BEST MOMENTS (4:37) – Fernando - “Learning is the core to any profession or province that you can think of” (9:48) – Fernando - “You have to take it easy. Everything has a solution” (13:29) – Fernando – “Everything is at your reach. You can learn everything there is to know and you can work and learn from your house” (17:04) – Fernando – “Be proficient. Deliver whatever you have to deliver. Leave your problems at the door”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – FERNANDO DOGLIO Fernando Doglio describes himself as a fulltime geek. He’s an experienced Software Development Manager and architect with a background in Web Development and Big Data architectures. He also writes technical articles and is a published author, his latest book being ‘Codes Well with Others’ which is being published by Manning.   CONTACT THE GUEST – FERNANDO DOGLIO Fernando Doglio can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/deleteman123 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernandodoglio/ Website: https://www.fdoglio.com/

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Alan Pope, an Engineering Manager and Developer Advocate for InfluxData, the creator of InfluxDB which is an open-source time series database. He is also a podcaster and he describes himself as a through and through geek. Alan talks about why it’s okay to move on when the time is right in your career journey. He also discusses why it’s important to take people’s advice with a pinch of salt.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP It’s okay to move on in your career when the time is right. Never feel as though you are chained to a position for your entire career. Being comfortable is often not a place where we challenge and grow.   WORST CAREER MOMENT When transitioning to a new company, Alan was confronted by HR who advised him that if he left, it would damage his career journey. It was a time of anxiety, but their threats came to nothing.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Alan trained many aspiring IT professionals, so when it came to looking for a position of his own, his reputation was already secured. Putting yourself out there is incredibly valuable to your career path.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The IT world is enormous and offers countless possibilities. It is incredibly easy to pivot and move between pursuits and sectors and offers an endlessly interesting path for any aspiring IT professional.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Alan was a nerd, and after receiving a ZX81, Alan developed a love for coding. What’s the best career advice you received? – You always have a choice What’s the worst career advice you received? – What would you do if you started your career now? – Alan would like to have attended university so as to establish a better foundation for his career. What are your current career objectives? – Learning new things. Alan is intent on staying far from his comfort zone and constantly challenging himself. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Having empathy for other people’s points of view and perspectives. How do you keep your own career energized? – Alan keeps moving once the challenge has faded. It’s vital to find the things that bring you joy. What do you do away from technology? – Cooking, which allows him the time to reconnect with the things that matter.   FINAL CAREER TIP Take other people’s advice with a pinch of salt. Everyone has their own story and path through life, and the lessons they’ve learned may not always apply to your own path.   BEST MOMENTS  (3:26) – Alan - “People need to not be afraid to leave a role” (7:41) – Alan - “It’s about looking after yourself and your own career” (8:57) – Alan – “Getting yourself out there and becoming known in your target industry is a very valuable thing to do” (13:15) – Alan – “Nobody cares what you look like. It’s the output. It’s the product you create, and it’s the work that you do that’s the important thing”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS  Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – ALAN POPE Alan Pope is an Engineering Manager and Developer Advocate for InfluxData, the creator InfluxDB which is an open source time series database. He is also a podcaster and he describes himself as a through and through geek.   CONTACT THE GUEST – ALAN POPE Alan Pope can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/popey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-pope-b3a109143/ Website: https://popey.com

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Neil Day, who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry having started his career as a coder with Apple. He went on to manage online systems for Walmart and Sears before creating the successful start-up MediaMaster. He is now the Chief Technical Officer for R-Zero. Neil talks about why the search for new initiatives may not always like in your immediate vicinity. He also discusses the value that can be found in building a great team.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Don’t always look for problems to solve within the world of IT only. Broaden your search and the solutions you will find may surprise you.   WORST CAREER MOMENT While working for Walmart, Neil’s team had been rushed to finish a web solution, but when the product was released, it was found to be lacking in many areas. Subsequently, Neil and the team were hurried back into action to enact a fix, which proved very challenging.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Neil is extraordinarily proud of the achievements he attained with several large companies, including Walmart’s ecommerce site, a reimagined storage solution, and many more.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T Although technology is all-pervasive in today’s society, there are still so many things yet to be explored. There are always countless possibilities.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Neil began by working on Radio Shack kits with his father before moving on to programming. What’s the best career advice you received? – Be solutions focused and results oriented. What’s the worst career advice you received? – What would you do if you started your career now? – Neil thinks that joining a large team and understanding the importance of working to scale is vital at a career’s outset. What are your current career objectives? – Building great solutions to interesting problems with people whose company he enjoys. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Research and the organization of information. How do you keep your own career energized? – Trying different things and working with interesting new people. What do you do away from technology? – Neil enjoys skiing, windsurfing, playing guitar and mandolin, and applying himself to new pursuits regularly.   FINAL CAREER TIP Find great people to work with and help them to develop their own skills. There is no greater feeling that successfully developing a great team.   BEST MOMENTS  (7:50) – Neil- “It’s been a very important theme for me – having a very broad view and trying to match things that work in other areas” (13:06) – Neil- “In many domains there are good patterns and processes for managing problems” (15:50) – Neil– “I’ve really tried to find jobs where we could make a big difference to the company by developing a new capability” (16:26) – Neil – “The most important thing is finding something that has real impact”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – NEIL DAY Neil Day has more than 30 years of experience in the industry having started his career as a coder with Apple. He went on to manage online systems for Walmart and Sears before creating the successful start-up MediaMaster. He is now the Chief Technical Officer for R-Zero.   CONTACT THE GUEST – NEIL DAY Neil Day can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-day-121444/ Website: https://rzero.com/

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Jessica Chan, a self-taught web developer who provides practical tips and tutorials for beginners in web development which she shares through blog posts and her YouTube channel, ‘Coder Coder’. Jessica talks about why communication skills are so important in an IT career. She also discusses the importance of patience when it comes to setting life goals.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: TOP CAREER TIP Communication skills are equally as important as the technical skills we need, in order to have a successful IT career.   WORST CAREER MOMENT While working on a website redesign, Jessica mistakenly deleted a huge amount of work and was unable to retrieve it. While it was touch and go for a while, Jessica learned to keep backups!   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Being able to quit her full time job as a developer and focus on content creation, teaching others how to engage with coding and fulfilling her ambitions to become more independent.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The growth of developer advocate roles, in which developers are asked to create content, is fascinating and is pushing the industry forward.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Jessica taught herself coding and programming and developed a love for computers from an early age. What’s the best career advice you received? – Always keep your audience in mind. What’s the worst career advice you received? – To become a teacher, which was not a fit for Jessica’s personality or skill-set. What would you do if you started your career now? – Jessica wishes she had seen the potential in an actual career in IT a lot sooner. What are your current career objectives? – To make Coder-Coder financially sustainable. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Anticipating the needs of others. How do you keep your own career energized? – Jessica tries not to let things stagnate too much She is always learning and trying new things. What do you do away from technology? – Camping and spending time in nature.   FINAL CAREER TIP Life goals are a marathon and not a sprint. Don’t get too discouraged if you don’t get instant results.   BEST MOMENTS (4:40) – Jessica - “Communication will make you someone that people want to work with, as opposed to someone that people try to avoid working with” (7:30) – Jessica - “It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s not okay to sit on that mistake” (9:15) – Jessica – “Being able to be a part of someone’s story is so transformative” (21:55) – Jessica – “Life goals are a marathon, not a sprint”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – JESSICA CHAN Jessica Chan is a self-taught web developer who provides practical tips and tutorials for beginners in web development which she shares through blog posts and her YouTube channel, ‘Coder Coder’.   CONTACT THE GUEST – JESSICA CHAN Jessica Chan can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecodercoder/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecodercoder/ Website: https://coder-coder.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCoderCoder

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Anna McDougall, a former opera singer and now a full-stack developer with a passion for JavaScript. She is also a tech blogger, a YouTube creator and a public speaker. Anna discusses impostor syndrome and why it’s always wise to receive feedback with the right mind-set in place. She also talks about the importance of altering your perspective when looking for a job in the IT sector.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: TOP CAREER TIP When you are faced with insecurity and constructive feedback, remember that you are never there to prove yourself to someone. Remember to keep a learning mind-set active whenever feedback of any kind is offered.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Anna gave up when she was young, which is a constant source of regret. With the passage of time, she has come to realise how skilled she was, but was held back by societal expectations.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Anna made a career change and took on a new role, pivoting completely in terms of a career path, working hard to build her technical skills, and also applied much effort into understanding the back-end of tech while building an online presence and community.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T Anna is most excited about the potential of tech – how it can achieve lasting change, benefit humanity, and reinvent itself constantly.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – The potential of technology and how it can change the world. What’s the best career advice you received? – Don’t be afraid to say no! What’s the worst career advice you received? – To not ask for a very big salary upon moving to Leipzig. What would you do if you started your career now? – Anna would focus on back-end technologies and Java. What are your current career objectives? – Anna’s main objective is to raise her technical skills as much as possible. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Public speaking. How do you keep your own career energized? – Anna always looks for challenges to keep her knowledge fresh and her instincts keen. What do you do away from technology? – Gym work and training.   FINAL CAREER TIP When looking for a job or career path, we must think less about our own needs and wants and more about the wants and needs of our potential employers or recruiters.   BEST MOMENTS (6:43) – Anna - “It’s not about an improving-yourself mind-set. It’s about a learning mind-set” (7:21) – Anna - “Finding those gaps in your knowledge is a good thing” (17:31) – Anna – “If something isn’t right for you, or if you don’t have time, it’s better to say no” (20:42) – Anna – “Think less from your perspective, and think more from a recruiter’s perspective”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – ANNA MCDOUGALL Anna McDougal is a former opera singer and now a full-stack developer with a passion for Javascript. She is also a tech blogger, a YouTube creator and a public speaker.   CONTACT THE GUEST – ANNA MCDOUGALL Anna McDougall can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AnnaJMcDougall LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annajmcdougall/ Website: https://www.annamcdougall.com/

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Mike Karan, the co-host of the podcast HTML All The Things and the co-founder of Digital Dynasty Design. Mike talks about why it’s important to begin networking as early as possible in your IT career. He also discusses why it’s crucial to step outside of our comfort zones in order to truly develop.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Never be afraid to start networking as soon as possible in your IT career. Put yourself out there and start making connections – even early in your IT journey. Look for your audience and develop it from the get go.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Mike was asked to choose the technology for a new application. Mike did so, but when it reached the client, it was found that the application didn’t work with the client’s devices. Mike learned that it’s vital to vet everything.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Mike’s current position allows for a much greater sense of mentorship between himself and those around him, allowing him to create a far more intense sense of collaboration on projects.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T New technologies are where the excitement lays. New ways of creating and developing are being released almost constantly, pushing the sector forward in dazzling ways.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Computers – Mike was instantly in love with them. What’s the best career advice you received? – Keep it simple! Don’t overcomplicate if you don’t have to. What’s the worst career advice you received? – That you have to switch jobs every few months in order to be successful. It isn’t true at all! What would you do if you started your career now? – Mike would still be in web development. What are your current career objectives? – The focus is currently on building a network and audience, as well as looking for a larger team to lead and mentor. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Communication and public speaking have been invaluable. How do you keep your own career energized? – Mike’s podcast keeps him abreast of the sector and its developments and allows him to meet new people. What do you do away from technology? – Hiking and online gaming   FINAL CAREER TIP If we find ourselves in too comfortable a place, then it’s always worth stepping out of that comfort zone. Pushing ourselves to do unfamiliar things helps us to grow.   BEST MOMENTS (3:05) – Mike - “Get yourself out there and network as early as possible” (9:39) – Mike - “Mentorship and guiding has been my career highlight” (10:57) – Mike – “It’s not just about coding. It’s about the whole enterprise structure” (17:25) – Mike – “Don’t settle into a spot where you’re comfortable”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – MIKE KARAN Mike Karan is the co-host of the podcast HTML All The Things and the co-founder of Digital Dynasty Design.   CONTACT THE GUEST – MIKE KARAN Mike Karan can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/htmleverything LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhail-karan-4361925b/ Website: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Tom Taulli, an author, a speaker and an advisor to startups. He has co-founded a variety of companies including Hypermart.net, WebIPO and BizEquity. And his books include ‘Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction’ and ‘The Robotic Process Automation Handbook: A Guide To Implementing RPA Systems’. Tom talks about the importance of following your passions when it comes to your IT career. He also discusses how if you create a career based around the things you love, you’ll never be short on inspiration.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Never be so set upon lofty goals that you miss the opportunities all around you. Follow your passions and do what you instincts tell you to do.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Tom has experienced periods where he reached crossroads in his career and did not follow his passions. With age has come experience and maturity, which has led to a better understanding of what is around him.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Tom recognized a need and provided a revolutionary piece of software to fill that need. Building this system allowed him to spread his wings.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T Robotic process animation, artificial intelligence and quantum computing are fascinating concepts that keep Tom’s mind alive with possibilities.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Tom was attracted to computers in school as he thought they were cool! What’s the best career advice you received? – Bill Gates advised Tom to get a solid foundational education in mathematics before moving to programming. What’s the worst career advice you received? – There is only really advice unsuitable for its receiver. What would you do if you started your career now? – Tom would go to Silicon Valley and meet as many people as possible. What are your current career objectives? – Tom is working on a book about mainframe, as well as courses on the same. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – A business background in college has been very useful. How do you keep your own career energized? – What do you do away from technology? – Tom takes breaks, including walking and travelling   FINAL CAREER TIP Focus on what lights your fire – the thing that gets your out of bed in the morning and inspires you to do better every day.   BEST MOMENTS (5:08) – Tom - “It’s not about setting lofty goals, but doing what you really what you’re passionate about” (5:52) – Tom - “Ideas are a dime-a-dozen. It’s the execution on the idea…” (13:00) – Tom – “Just because everyone says that’s what you have to do, doesn’t mean that that’s the key” (19:15) – Tom – “We always think that we need to go through certain hurdles or paths to get where you want. Sometimes there are faster, more unconventional ways of getting there”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – TOM TAULLI Tom Taulli is an author, a speaker and an advisor to startups. He has co-founded a variety of companies including Hypermart.net, WebIPO and BizEquity. And his books include ‘Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction’ and ‘The Robotic Process Automation Handbook: A Guide To Implementing RPA Systems’.   CONTACT THE GUEST – TOM TAULLI Tom Taulli can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ttaulli LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomtaulli/ Website: http://www.tomtaulli.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUklLcIcf3hsxuALfmD_AYQ

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Shruti Balasa, a full stack developer. She has developed and delivered more than 200 websites over the last 9 years, ranging from static to fully-fledged networking and eCommerce sites. She is now focused on creating tutorials and courses to simplify web development for beginners. Shruti talks about why we should always try to remain open to new possibilities in our IT careers. She also discusses the importance of effective networking in order to let the world know what we’re capable of.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP We should be open to any opportunities, especially earlier in our IT careers. Even the pathways that may seem alien to us can often allow us to gain new skills that take us in new directions.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Shruti developed a piece of software that was subverted by a single user, who hacked the system due to a hidden backdoor. This made Shruti feel the weight of an error, but also spurred her on to be more attentive subsequently.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT At the beginning of her career, Shruti was interviewed and assessed by Microsoft without any expectations. As she was about to leave, she was advised that she had done far better than she had expected.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T Shruti is constantly excited by the eternal state of learning in the IT sector. The excitement comes in the fact that we must always be developing in order to stay afloat.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – The fact that IT itself is built around problem solving – Shruti’s main strength. What’s the best career advice you received? – To start a YouTube channel What’s the worst career advice you received? – Shruti was advised against joining a startup by a manager, despite her instincts telling her that it was the right decision. What would you do if you started your career now? – Shruti was join Twitter and begin networking much sooner. What are your current career objectives? – Shruti wants to simply web development and coding concepts that people usually find complex. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Public speaking, which has allowed her to overcome her introversion. How do you keep your own career energized? – Shruti loves adventures, and so takes every opportunity to embark upon new ones. What do you do away from technology? – Shruti’s young child is taking up most of her time, but it is a rewarding life. Family is very important.   FINAL CAREER TIP It’s very important to improve your communication and networking skills. You have to let people know what you can do and what you are capable of.   BEST MOMENTS (4:20) – Shruti - “I want to you to be open to any opportunities, at least in the beginnings of your career” (5:11) – Shruti - “Try your hands at everything, because you never know what you’re really good at until you try” (11:37) – Shruti – “Look for the small wins every single day” (19:43) – Shruti – “I want to love everything I do, so I take up anything that excites me. That’s how I keep my career energized!”   ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.   CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_philburgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer   ABOUT THE GUEST – SHRUTI BALASA Shruti Balasa is a full stack developer. She has developed and delivered more than 200 websites over the last 9 years, ranging from static to fully-fledged networking and eCommerce sites. She is now focused on creating tutorials and courses to simplify web development for beginners.   CONTACT THE GUEST – SHRUTI BALASA Shruti Balasa can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/shrutibalasa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrutibalasa/ Website: https://www.shrutibalasa.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Thirus