Skills_First

What if you could completely reinvent your career and find your true calling in an entirely new field? Former pastor William Kevin Roxton did just that by transitioning into a successful career as a software engineer. Join us as William shares his remarkable story, highlighting the significant challenges he faced and the unwavering determination that fueled his journey from ministry to tech. Learn about the pivotal role his family ...

Ever wondered how learning to code can transform your life and career? Join us for an inspiring chat with Bernadette Bolaños, a software apprentice at ServiceNow, as she shares her remarkable journey into the tech industry. Bernie discusses how coding has empowered her and highlights the critical need for representation in tech. She also provides a fascinating glimpse into her role on the UXRTB dev team, the thrill of her first cor...

Ever wondered how a high school speech teacher transforms into a tech industry leader? Meet Todd Basher, co-founder of New Rocket and our guest for this episode. Todd’s unique journey from humanities to tech illustrates the power of diverse backgrounds and self-taught skills. We delve into the expansive capabilities of ServiceNow, a low-code platform revolutionizing business functions from IT management to finance. Plus, we uncover...

What if you could transform your career from a grueling, heat-soaked job to a thriving position in tech, all during a global pandemic? Julian Gonzalez did just that. Join us as we discuss Julian's inspiring journey from being a smog technician in Fresno, California, to becoming a Development Consultant within the ServiceNow ecosystem. Despite facing countless rejections, Julian's determination to complete his associate&ap...

Can a global pandemic be the catalyst for discovering your true passion? Join us on this eye-opening episode of the Skills First podcast as we journey through Rosalyn from Pong's incredible transformation from a fourth-grade teacher to a software engineering apprentice at Pathways Consulting. Rosalyn talks about how her tech interests, which began with MySpace, resurfaced during the pandemic and led her to tackle the financial...

Get ready to uncover the secrets to building a successful tech career with our special guest Kanika Tolber, a powerhouse in the ServiceNow space and the visionary behind Career Rehab. Learn how an early passion for web development during the age of AOL instant messenger led Kanika to defy expectations and pursue computer science at Bowie State University, despite her mother's dreams of her becoming a pharmacist. Her journey di...

Arlen Hamilton, the trailblazing founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, shares her profound journey as a Black, gay woman shaking up the venture capital industry—a domain long dominated by white males. Tune in to gain invaluable insights on the critical role of equitable access to venture capital in building generational wealth and how diverse VCs like Arlen are uniquely positioned to recognize and invest in overlooked ...

How does one overcome skepticism and numerous barriers to achieve a successful career in aerospace engineering? Meet Jasmine LaFleur, an accomplished aerospace engineer at Collins Aerospace and co-founder of Greater Than Tech, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Flint, Michigan, to making a significant impact in the STEM field. You'll hear about how programs like Carrera for at-risk youth and her own determina...

Unlock the secrets to transforming lives through tech apprenticeships in this episode of Skills First, the Apprenticeship Playbook Podcast. Join us as we sit down with Vanessa Russell, the inspiring founding executive director of Love Never Fails, and dive into her journey from overcoming personal trauma to becoming a senior global sales leader at Cisco. Vanessa's story highlights the power of mentorship and the critical role ...