IT Career Energizer

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Nancy Hammervik, the Executive Vice President for Industry Relations at CompTIA, as well as CEO of CompTIA’s Tech Careers Academy, where she is responsible for elevating the association’s public profile among its member and across the IT industry. Prior to joining CompTia (in 2011) Nancy had a 25 year career with United Business Media’s Everything Channel. In this episode Nancy and Phil discuss the best ways in which aspiring professionals can launch their career in technology, and the many ways in which they can improve and develop. Check out the episode's show notes at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e297

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Peter Johnson, a QA engineer. He has contributed to test automation on a variety of software projects in embedded systems, web services and satellite communication software. Peter talks about setting realistic goals, and how to stay on track with them. He also discusses the importance of persistence in achieving success. Show notes for this episode can be found at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e296

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Neil Thompson, the founder of Teach The Geek, helping STEM professionals to communicate effectively by developing their public speaking skills. Prior to Teach The Geek, he was a biomedical engineer, a freelance writer and a product development engineer as well as a professional speaker. Neil talks about why we should always nurture and develop the soft skills that can make our IT careers far more compatible with those without engineering or technical backgrounds. He also discusses the importance of leveraging out the tasks you’re weaker at. Show notes for this episode can be found at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e295

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Mads Brodt, a front-end engineer from Copenhagen. He designs, creates and supports websites and applications for clients and for fun. And he loves using modern technology to create exceptional user experiences, always striving to create high quality products. Mads discusses the importance of practical experience and how it can energise your career. He also talks about why finding your niche can invigorate your interest in IT in general. Show notes and links discussed in this episode can be found at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e294

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Mike Williams, the founder of BuildLab, a digital development and automation studio and the co-founder and CTO of SharpSeat, an Event Ticket Marketplace. He is also a full-stack web developer with an emphasis on front-end-development & design and process automation. Mike talks about the importance of focusing on things your passionate about so as to remain motivated. He also discusses why it’s crucial to begin your career as soon as possible. Check out the show notes for this episode at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e293

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Eric Matthes, author of Python Crash Course, the world’s best-selling guide to the Python Programming Language, published in 2015. He is also the author of Python Flash Cards for learners of all ages as well as a completely non-tech book, The Road to Alaska. Eric talks about always remembering that people are interested in having problems solved, rather than technical brilliance displayed. He also discusses the importance of reflection, and how we should take time regularly to realign and build on our successes. Show notes can be found at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e292

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Camille Fournier, an engineering executive, author of the books “The Manager’s Path” and “97 Things Every Engineering Manager Should Know.” She began her career with Microsoft in 2001 as a Software Design Engineer and by 2014 had been appointed Chief Technology Officer of Rent the Runway. She is now the Managing Director of Two Sigma, with responsibility for management and strategy. Camille talks about the value in becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable tasks that can energise our career paths. She also discusses why setting the right goals will lead to a more balanced life. Show notes can be found at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e291

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Matt Rosenthal, a technology and business strategist as well as the President & CEO of Mindcore, the leading IT solutions provider in New Jersey. He specialises in working with business owners and management to fix business processes and technology problems using his process mastery formula.   Matt talks about why it is crucial to put one’s ego aside in the world of IT, and how this can benefit you greatly. He also discusses why it’s crucial that we allow ourselves the room to pivot in our beliefs and ideas.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Put your ego aside. Often times, people in technical roles think that their level of expertise grants them the power to be right every time.   WORST CAREER MOMENT After fearing that he was about to lose a valued job, Matt quit the role which threatened his income and livelihood greatly   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Matt experiences his career highlight every time he helps someone to achieve something. This happens often, as Matt is often called to construct solutions for many companies.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The constant evolution and transformation of the industry. Matt wholeheartedly embraces change, and so the IT sector is the perfect home for him and his talents.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Matt simply fell into his career in order to make money, but found that he loved it. What’s the best career advice you received? – Attitude is everything. Being positive is more important than technical skill. What’s the worst career advice you received? – To hurry through tasks in order to get them completed, instead of taking time to make sure they’re done properly. What would you do if you started your career now? – Matt would devote himself to the art of salesmanship. What are your current career objectives? – Personal growth and advancing his skill-set. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Emotional intelligence. How do you keep your own career energized? – Matt is tremendously curious and ensures he remains goal orientated. What do you do away from technology? – Matt is focused on his family, as well as physical fitness and golf.   FINAL CAREER TIP Never be afraid to pivot. Don’t become so committed to an idea or belief that you become entrenched and have no room to maneuver.   BEST MOMENTS   (2:49) – Matt - “Businesses are businesses are businesses. They have different services, but under the hood they have the same technology needs” (4:35) – Matt - “It’s important that you’re somebody who delivers value through being a team player” (12:44) – Matt – “If you don’t stay sharp and if you don’t stay ahead of the curve, you won’t survive in this business” (16:58) – Matt – “Sales is about convincing someone else to go along with your line of thinking”   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/philtechcareer LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Facebook: https://facebook.com/philtechcareer Instagram: https://instagram.com/philtechcareer 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 – MATT ROSENTHAL   Matt Rosenthal is a technology and business strategist as well as the President & CEO of Mindcore, the leading IT solutions provider in New Jersey. He specialises in working with business owners and management to fix business processes and technology problems using his process mastery formula.   CONTACT THE GUEST – MATT ROSENTHAL   Matt Rosenthal can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-rosenthal-mindcore/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattrosenthal_/ Website: https://mind-core.com/  

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Al Sweigart, a professional developer who teaches programming to kids and adults. As well as being a speaker at Python conferences, he has written several bestselling programming books for beginners, including ‘Automate the Boring Stuff with Python’, ‘Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python’, ‘Cracking Codes with Python’, and ‘Coding with Minecraft’. Al talks about the fact that many jobs are attainable, despite the job description and list of qualifications required. Never count yourself out of the race. He also discusses why coding itself can feel intimidating, but that it’s nothing to be feared. Show notes can be found at https://itcareerenergizer.com/e289

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Scott Turman, who has developed software and cryptographic systems over the last 25 years for some pretty big organisations such as NASA, Disney, Hilton and the US Department of Defence.   He is the founder of BrightRay Consulting which is a staffing and software solutions company that he formed 6 years ago.   Scott talks to Phil about making sure we achieve the worth for which we have worked by being as useful as possible and developing skills. He also discusses why we must gain mastery over our area of expertise.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   TOP CAREER TIP Learn to be as useful as you can, and find an organization that will pay your fairly for the skills you can perform.   WORST CAREER MOMENT Scott was interviewed by someone he looked up to, and failed during the last stages of the interview. If successful, he would have gone to work for Microsoft.   CAREER HIGHLIGHT Scott achieved a position at NASA – his dream job. NASA’s legacy runs deep in Scott’s family, so to win a position there was a lifelong ambition.   THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T IT in the past was not an agile sector. Ideas remained so until backing and technological development could be resourced. Nowadays, people can bring ideas t life on their own.   THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Scott’s Atari 400 and other early computers. Scott’s father encouraged simulations and other technical pursuits. What’s the best career advice you received? – No matter what they offer you, always ask for more. What’s the worst career advice you received? – To stay out of the fray and under the radar. There’s no better way to be fired first than to offer the least amount of value. What would you do if you started your career now? – Scott would specialize in security, the one area that can never be truly fully automated. What are your current career objectives? – Scott’s organisation is moving into proof-of-concept work. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Learning to negotiate, especially in terms of salary. How do you keep your own career energized? – Scott consumes podcasts, books and learns bout new technologies whenever possible. What do you do away from technology? – Scott loves to spend time with family.   FINAL CAREER TIP Pick an area of expertise that is useful and once you’ve done that, master it!   BEST MOMENTS   (3:11) – Scott - “Find an organisation that will pay you for your skills” (3:52) – Scott - “Be useful, develop a skill, and be ridiculously good at it” (9:12) – Scott – “From idea to minimal viable product can be done in a few months with the right people” (11:49) – Scott – “If you can demonstrate your value in the world, then there’s always a little bit of room for you” (13:40) – Scott – “Wallflowers don’t ever make history”   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/philtechcareer LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Facebook: https://facebook.com/philtechcareer Instagram: https://instagram.com/philtechcareer 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 – SCOTT TURMAN   Scott Turman  has developed software and cryptographic systems over the last 25 years for some pretty big organisations such as NASA, Disney, Hilton and the US Department of Defence.   He is the founder of BrightRay Consulting which is a staffing and software solutions company that he formed 6 years ago.   CONTACT THE GUEST – SCOTT TURMAN   Scott Turman can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ Website: https://scottturman.com