August 15, 2024 • 10 mins
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 why modern apprenticeships could be a game-changer in the consulting industry, bringing fresh perspectives and invaluable life experiences.
More than just a career shift, this episode dives into the essence of lifelong learning and adaptability. Discover how apprentices can outshine traditional career paths through their passion and motivation. We also explore the science of timing through Dan Pink’s enlightening book "When," and highlight the remarkable determination of a colleague who embodies vision and grit. To top it all off, we wrap up with a lighthearted discussion about our favorite snacks—spoiler: there’s a lot of love for peanut M&Ms. Join us for an insightful and engaging conversation that promises to inspire and entertain!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
what I've found with the apprentices that I've had a
chance to work with is becausethey're coming from a different
career, they often come with aperspective that's unique and
different and we really valuethat.
Also because they have lifeexperience, that a traditional
kind of education you don'talways get.
(00:22):
Again, they have interpersonalskills, communication skills
that are really valuable in whatwe do as a consulting
organization.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Hey everyone, this is Mike Roberts, creator of the
Apprenticeship Playbook, andyou're tuned in to the Skills
First podcast.
In today's world, skills First,hiring is revolutionizing the
job market and on this show Isit down with trailblazers who
are rethinking hiring practicesand embracing experiential
learning, as well as the peopleimpacted.
(00:56):
Follow along as we dive intotips, innovative ideas and
proven strategies to help younavigate and thrive in the
evolving landscape of modernapprenticeships.
Can you tell us your name andwhat is it help you navigate and
thrive in the evolvinglandscape of modern
apprenticeships?
Can you tell us your name andwhat is it that you do?
Speaker 1 (01:09):
My name is Todd Basher and I lead the product
organization at a littleservices company called New
Rocket.
You're a ServiceNow partner.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Nice.
For those of that are notinitiated with the ServiceNow
platform and ecosystem, like,what is ServiceNow and, in your
opinion, from a person that'svery seasoned in the ecosystem,
what's ServiceNow?
What's this thing about?
Speaker 1 (01:33):
It's a nice way of saying I'm old.
Thanks, mike.
So ServiceNow is an enterprisesoftware company, started as IT
management focus, but it'sreally a low-code development
environment and they've expandedover the years to really have a
very broad range of offerings,from traditional IT, hr
(01:55):
management, the operations, todifferent areas of the business,
procurement and finance and soit's not quite an ERP in the
traditional sense, but manyorganizations use ServiceNow as
one of those really big anchorproducts that help manage work
throughout the organization andget people to really optimize
(02:20):
their process and make sure thatthings are running smoothly
from a service perspective.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Nice, and we've known each other for many years, so I
know some of this, but I wantto do it for the benefit of our
audience.
Where are you located?
I'm in Carlsbad, california,nice.
So that's for those not in SanDiego.
That's like the upper northnorth county right.
That's the new sort of hub oftech in San Diego's up in that
Carlsbad area.
How did you get into tech?
(02:46):
What were you doing before youwere at?
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Before New Rocket I was freelancing and before that
I actually worked at ServiceNow.
I led platform productmanagement and led a custom app
solution consulting team.
I left ServiceNow to pursuesome passions of mine ran a code
school for a brief minute, butmainly freelance developments
(03:13):
and helping out with and Iconnected with Nathan Firth, the
other co-founder of NewRocket,and that's when we got into
ServiceNow Consulting,specializing in the service
portal aspect of the framework.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
And I know you for many years as part of the
JavaScript community and alittle code school, but one of
the things that I don't think Iknow, so this is something
that's been new to me.
What was your technicaleducation?
So, did you have a traditionalfour-year degree in CS, or what
did that look like for you?
Speaker 1 (03:43):
I went to school thinking that I was going to be
a high school speech teacher andmy formal education undergrad
and graduate school was incommunication.
So I have a very much more ofthe humanities type focus.
But throughout my collegecareer I also had one foot on
the tech side.
I just side projects andinterest.
(04:06):
My minor in grad school wascomputer education Again
thinking that I was going to gobe a high school teacher someday
.
But I've been primarilyself-taught.
I started when I was a teenagerjust diving into books and
playing on the computer andplaying on the computer.
(04:28):
And then when I got out ofschool I went into a role in a
semiconductor manufacturer doingtheir technical training and as
part of that one of my jobs wasto do the computer education,
doing computer-based training,and that's where I kept my
programming skills sharp.
And then throughout my career Iwas always kind of vacillating
between very technical roleswhere I was delivering software
(04:50):
and doing things on the side,and then business roles where it
was more about projectmanagement and product
management, those types ofthings.
So I've always I've had my mindon both and been self-taught,
primarily taking classes when Ican, but definitely not a formal
education, and it seems to haveserved me well over the years,
(05:12):
so either path is definitelymine.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah, yeah, for sure, and I know you've had a chance
to work with some apprentices inthe past, so tell me, like from
your perspective, what is whatare your thoughts about the
apprenticeship pattern and earlycareer professionals?
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I love it.
What I've found with theapprentices that that I've had a
chance to work with is becausethey're coming from a different
career, they often come with aperspective that's unique and
different and we really valuethat.
Also because they have lifeexperience that a traditional
kind of education you don'talways get.
Again, they have interpersonalskills, communication skills
(05:55):
that are really valuable in whatwe do as a consulting
organization.
The other thing I'll say withthe apprentices that I've worked
with they're really passionate.
It's not.
They didn't just get into CSand stay there because it was
comfortable, they were doingsomething and they had a passion
(06:15):
for this and they thought itwas a good direction and they're
super motivated to learn whatthey need, to learn and make a
new life for themselves.
And that kind of passion itshows in the work quality, shows
in the drive and it sets themapart from other folks with a
more traditional education whereit was oh, this is the path
(06:39):
that it's supposed to go.
I go get my degree and then Igo find a good job and it just
works out that way.
And I'm not saying that peoplewith traditional degree aren't
passionate or can't bepassionate.
I've just found apprentices,especially those who are
changing careers, have much moredrive than I find with other
(06:59):
folks, so I've been reallypleased with that experience.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Nice, nice.
So we're all lifelong learners.
What's the last thing that youlearned?
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I'm going through a book right now called when, by
Dan Pink.
It's looking at the science oftime-based aspects.
Is there really a midlifecrisis?
And if you're bidding on aproject, when should you be the
first to do your pitch and whenshould you not be the first one
(07:30):
to do your pitch, and thosetypes of things.
I'm not quite through the book,but just every single chapter
has been really educational forme.
I highly recommend the book andI'm going through an audio
version of it right now.
I do recommend a hard copybecause there's a lot of places
where I like to take notes.
I don't always have that handywhen I'm listening, but so when,
(07:53):
by Dan Pink, I highly recommendNice, nice.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Who is someone that you look up to or someone you
want to give a shout out to, andthis is a great time to plug
anything interesting that youguys are working on over there
at new rocket we're alwaysworking on something interesting
at new rocket.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
But honestly, when I think about someone I woke up to
, I would say you, mike I.
I really admire how much gritand passion you have and you
demonstrated that since the dayI met you and just over the
years, I've just seen you reallybring to life what you say you
(08:31):
want to do, and it's so rarethat you find someone that's
able to materialize what theyhave in their head and deal with
all the challenges andeverything.
It's probably maybe perceivedas pandering, but I really do
admire you and I don't tell youhow much I appreciate what you
do.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Awesome man.
I appreciate you as well and,again, I think we have that sort
of connection as being fellowJavaScripters here in San Diego,
and so I think there were somenatural synergies that have made
this ability for us to help somany people you as an employer
partner and me on the second orthird code school attempt.
That's right, but yeah, butit's good times, all right.
(09:14):
So last and most importantquestion what is your favorite
snack?
Speaker 1 (09:19):
M&Ms man, I've always liked them, but they were my
dad's favorite snack and I'vejust really peanut M&M's are
probably my favorite, so I'll gowith that.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
That's actually becoming fairly common.
So I don't know if it's theHalloween season, but you're not
the first to mention not justM&ms, but peanut m&ms.
So yeah, they're good.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
They're good, that's a tasty one a close second would
be butterfinger get old.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, that's a risk.
There's a risk factor there.
Thanks so much for coming on.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
The program appreciate it I really
appreciate being here, thanks.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
You've been listening to Skills First, the
Apprenticeship Playbook podcast.
By the way, if this is valuableto you, don't be lame.
Share the game.
This is how we know you love it.
If you're a company thinkingabout changing how you hire,
please share it so we know thistype of stuff is what you want.
(10:28):
All right,
what I've found with the apprentices that I've had a
chance to work with is becausethey're coming from a different
career, they often come with aperspective that's unique and
different and we really valuethat.
Also because they have lifeexperience, that a traditional
kind of education you don'talways get.
(00:22):
Again, they have interpersonalskills, communication skills
that are really valuable in whatwe do as a consulting
organization.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Hey everyone, this is Mike Roberts, creator of the
Apprenticeship Playbook, andyou're tuned in to the Skills
First podcast.
In today's world, skills First,hiring is revolutionizing the
job market and on this show Isit down with trailblazers who
are rethinking hiring practicesand embracing experiential
learning, as well as the peopleimpacted.
(00:56):
Follow along as we dive intotips, innovative ideas and
proven strategies to help younavigate and thrive in the
evolving landscape of modernapprenticeships.
Can you tell us your name andwhat is it help you navigate and
thrive in the evolvinglandscape of modern
apprenticeships?
Can you tell us your name andwhat is it that you do?
Speaker 1 (01:09):
My name is Todd Basher and I lead the product
organization at a littleservices company called New
Rocket.
You're a ServiceNow partner.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Nice.
For those of that are notinitiated with the ServiceNow
platform and ecosystem, like,what is ServiceNow and, in your
opinion, from a person that'svery seasoned in the ecosystem,
what's ServiceNow?
What's this thing about?
Speaker 1 (01:33):
It's a nice way of saying I'm old.
Thanks, mike.
So ServiceNow is an enterprisesoftware company, started as IT
management focus, but it'sreally a low-code development
environment and they've expandedover the years to really have a
very broad range of offerings,from traditional IT, hr
(01:55):
management, the operations, todifferent areas of the business,
procurement and finance and soit's not quite an ERP in the
traditional sense, but manyorganizations use ServiceNow as
one of those really big anchorproducts that help manage work
throughout the organization andget people to really optimize
(02:20):
their process and make sure thatthings are running smoothly
from a service perspective.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Nice, and we've known each other for many years, so I
know some of this, but I wantto do it for the benefit of our
audience.
Where are you located?
I'm in Carlsbad, california,nice.
So that's for those not in SanDiego.
That's like the upper northnorth county right.
That's the new sort of hub oftech in San Diego's up in that
Carlsbad area.
How did you get into tech?
(02:46):
What were you doing before youwere at?
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Before New Rocket I was freelancing and before that
I actually worked at ServiceNow.
I led platform productmanagement and led a custom app
solution consulting team.
I left ServiceNow to pursuesome passions of mine ran a code
school for a brief minute, butmainly freelance developments
(03:13):
and helping out with and Iconnected with Nathan Firth, the
other co-founder of NewRocket,and that's when we got into
ServiceNow Consulting,specializing in the service
portal aspect of the framework.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
And I know you for many years as part of the
JavaScript community and alittle code school, but one of
the things that I don't think Iknow, so this is something
that's been new to me.
What was your technicaleducation?
So, did you have a traditionalfour-year degree in CS, or what
did that look like for you?
Speaker 1 (03:43):
I went to school thinking that I was going to be
a high school speech teacher andmy formal education undergrad
and graduate school was incommunication.
So I have a very much more ofthe humanities type focus.
But throughout my collegecareer I also had one foot on
the tech side.
I just side projects andinterest.
(04:06):
My minor in grad school wascomputer education Again
thinking that I was going to gobe a high school teacher someday
.
But I've been primarilyself-taught.
I started when I was a teenagerjust diving into books and
playing on the computer andplaying on the computer.
(04:28):
And then when I got out ofschool I went into a role in a
semiconductor manufacturer doingtheir technical training and as
part of that one of my jobs wasto do the computer education,
doing computer-based training,and that's where I kept my
programming skills sharp.
And then throughout my career Iwas always kind of vacillating
between very technical roleswhere I was delivering software
(04:50):
and doing things on the side,and then business roles where it
was more about projectmanagement and product
management, those types ofthings.
So I've always I've had my mindon both and been self-taught,
primarily taking classes when Ican, but definitely not a formal
education, and it seems to haveserved me well over the years,
(05:12):
so either path is definitelymine.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah, yeah, for sure, and I know you've had a chance
to work with some apprentices inthe past, so tell me, like from
your perspective, what is whatare your thoughts about the
apprenticeship pattern and earlycareer professionals?
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I love it.
What I've found with theapprentices that that I've had a
chance to work with is becausethey're coming from a different
career, they often come with aperspective that's unique and
different and we really valuethat.
Also because they have lifeexperience that a traditional
kind of education you don'talways get.
Again, they have interpersonalskills, communication skills
(05:55):
that are really valuable in whatwe do as a consulting
organization.
The other thing I'll say withthe apprentices that I've worked
with they're really passionate.
It's not.
They didn't just get into CSand stay there because it was
comfortable, they were doingsomething and they had a passion
(06:15):
for this and they thought itwas a good direction and they're
super motivated to learn whatthey need, to learn and make a
new life for themselves.
And that kind of passion itshows in the work quality, shows
in the drive and it sets themapart from other folks with a
more traditional education whereit was oh, this is the path
(06:39):
that it's supposed to go.
I go get my degree and then Igo find a good job and it just
works out that way.
And I'm not saying that peoplewith traditional degree aren't
passionate or can't bepassionate.
I've just found apprentices,especially those who are
changing careers, have much moredrive than I find with other
(06:59):
folks, so I've been reallypleased with that experience.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Nice, nice.
So we're all lifelong learners.
What's the last thing that youlearned?
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I'm going through a book right now called when, by
Dan Pink.
It's looking at the science oftime-based aspects.
Is there really a midlifecrisis?
And if you're bidding on aproject, when should you be the
first to do your pitch and whenshould you not be the first one
(07:30):
to do your pitch, and thosetypes of things.
I'm not quite through the book,but just every single chapter
has been really educational forme.
I highly recommend the book andI'm going through an audio
version of it right now.
I do recommend a hard copybecause there's a lot of places
where I like to take notes.
I don't always have that handywhen I'm listening, but so when,
(07:53):
by Dan Pink, I highly recommendNice, nice.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Who is someone that you look up to or someone you
want to give a shout out to, andthis is a great time to plug
anything interesting that youguys are working on over there
at new rocket we're alwaysworking on something interesting
at new rocket.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
But honestly, when I think about someone I woke up to
, I would say you, mike I.
I really admire how much gritand passion you have and you
demonstrated that since the dayI met you and just over the
years, I've just seen you reallybring to life what you say you
(08:31):
want to do, and it's so rarethat you find someone that's
able to materialize what theyhave in their head and deal with
all the challenges andeverything.
It's probably maybe perceivedas pandering, but I really do
admire you and I don't tell youhow much I appreciate what you
do.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Awesome man.
I appreciate you as well and,again, I think we have that sort
of connection as being fellowJavaScripters here in San Diego,
and so I think there were somenatural synergies that have made
this ability for us to help somany people you as an employer
partner and me on the second orthird code school attempt.
That's right, but yeah, butit's good times, all right.
(09:14):
So last and most importantquestion what is your favorite
snack?
Speaker 1 (09:19):
M&Ms man, I've always liked them, but they were my
dad's favorite snack and I'vejust really peanut M&M's are
probably my favorite, so I'll gowith that.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
That's actually becoming fairly common.
So I don't know if it's theHalloween season, but you're not
the first to mention not justM&ms, but peanut m&ms.
So yeah, they're good.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
They're good, that's a tasty one a close second would
be butterfinger get old.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, that's a risk.
There's a risk factor there.
Thanks so much for coming on.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
The program appreciate it I really
appreciate being here, thanks.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
You've been listening to Skills First, the
Apprenticeship Playbook podcast.
By the way, if this is valuableto you, don't be lame.
Share the game.
This is how we know you love it.
If you're a company thinkingabout changing how you hire,
please share it so we know thistype of stuff is what you want.
(10:28):
All right,
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