Explore every episode of the podcast Career Downloads

Episode Information Show NotesWhat happens when you stop planning your career and start asking better questions?Ruben Sarino didn’t set out to co-found an AI security company. The path from military kid bouncing between six countries to RiskHorizon AI co-founder included selling car parts, packaging California honey, working Apple retail, cold calling at CrowdStrike, and several stops in between.None of it was planned. All of it mattered.What You’ll LearnGrowing up in Japan showed Ruben what technology could do when it actually worked. Tapping cards to ride trains and buy things felt seamless. Visiting developing countries showed him the same problems without the same solutions. That contrast planted a seed: technology should solve real problems for real people.But Ruben didn’t study computer science. He studied business. His first exposure to entrepreneurship came through a car parts manufacturer where he learned the difference between pushing products and solving problems. Then came a honey business he fell into by chance, where terrible packaging met great product. Apple retail taught him how great companies operate. CrowdStrike as an SDR gave him front-row seats to hypergrowth and mentors who showed him what came next.Each stop built skills that transferred to the next one.Key InsightsOn Getting Started: “If you know too much, you will never start.” Ruben talks about the danger of over-researching and why ignorance sometimes helps you take the first step.On Career Direction: His annual self-check-in doesn’t ask “what do I want to do?” It asks “how do I want to feel next year?” From there, he works backward to figure out what needs to change.On Problem-Solving: Whether it’s car parts, cybersecurity, or AI, Ruben looks for the underlying problem before building solutions. Not everything needs AI. Some things just need better execution.On Mentorship: The CrowdStrike account executives who took time to show him what happened after the handoff shaped his trajectory. He didn’t formally ask them to be mentors – he asked good questions and stayed curious.On Risk: Being comfortable with change helps, but it’s not required. What matters is believing you can course correct if things don’t work out the way you planned.About Ruben SarinoRuben Sarino is co-founder of RiskHorizon AI. His career spans car parts manufacturing, honey business, Apple retail, cybersecurity sales at CrowdStrike, workforce intelligence startups, and healthcare technology. He’s comfortable with change, believes in transferable skills, and thinks most people overthink their next move.Connect with Ruben on LinkedIn:Subscribe to Career DownloadsNew episodes drop every week featuring tech leaders, CIOs, and professionals sharing their career journeys and the lessons they learned along the way.Website: https://careerdownloads.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloadsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloadsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloadsFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode. I have with me Ruben Sarino, and him and I met at a networking event. We got to talking, just learning about kind of what he’s doing. He was asking me what I was doing. You know, we connected on LinkedIn, got to know each other, our backgrounds. And I think he has a lot to offer, and there should be a lot of good stories, a lot of good information that people can use, you know, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the fi...

Episode Information Show NotesSometimes the best careers are the ones you never planned. Aakin Patel went to school for geology. He spent years studying plate tectonics and doing computational modeling. The plan was academia. But grad school revealed something important. The academic life he imagined wasn’t the reality he wanted. So he pivoted. He took his Unix skills from graduate research and landed a job as a system administrator. Just temporary. Just while he figured out his next move. That temporary job turned into a 20+ year career in technology and cybersecurity. In This Episode: Aakin shares his journey from geology to becoming a cybersecurity consultant who advises governments and organizations on strategic implementation. He talks about working at Brookhaven National Labs, dealing with the unique security challenges of international scientific research, and building cybersecurity programs before the field had its current name. The conversation digs into the skills that matter most: problem-solving, communication, and the ability to bridge technical and business worlds. Aakin explains why being able to “dumb things down” is actually proof you understand something deeply, and why teaching others became crucial to his leadership success. You’ll also hear about the day his boss literally put him on a plane to management training, why he initially hated it, and how that moment changed his career trajectory. Key Takeaways: – Career pivots don’t have to be permanent disasters—they can become opportunities – Problem-solving skills transfer across completely different fields – Being the bridge between technical and business teams is a superpower – Learning to communicate complex ideas simply is a leadership essential – Technical burnout is real, and strategic roles can be the answer – Teaching others tests whether you truly understand something – Your ability to build and lead teams matters more than any single technical skill – Reputation and relationships open more doors than resumes About Aakin Patel: Aakin Patel is a cybersecurity consultant specializing in strategic implementation for governments and organizations. His background includes geology and geophysics research, Unix system administration, and cybersecurity leadership at national laboratories. He’s built security teams from scratch and helped organizations implement security programs at strategic levels. His mixed background gives him a unique ability to translate between technical complexity and business needs. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I’m very excited. I have with me Aakin Patel, and he is a consultant in the cybersecurity space. We’ve had some conversations about, you know, some of the things he’s done earlier on, how he kind of got into, you know, this field, and just the things that he’s done along the way. So I’m interested to kind of get to know him and how he managed his career a little bit more. And with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Aakin. I appreciate you coming on, Aakin. Aakin Patel: Thank you, it’s good to be here. Manuel Martinez: So one of the things that I kind of start with all the guests is if you don’t mind telling me just a little bit about where you grew up, and then eventually kind of what led you either into the technology field, some people, you know, they fall into it later on. So maybe you started in a different career field. So again, just kind of a little bit of that background about yourself. Aakin Patel: Oh, yeah, so I grew up in the Northeast US in the New York, New Jersey area.

Episode Information Show NotesFrom Age 7 to MSP Owner: Simon Robert’s IT Journey Simon Robert’s IT career started earlier than most, at just 7 years old, he was already fixing computers his father brought home. Now, as President of Novbox in Las Vegas, Simon runs a managed service provider that helps businesses stay secure and operational. In this episode, Simon shares the honest reality of running an IT business. He talks about the stress of being a “one-man army” for years, why admitting “I don’t know” actually builds more trust than pretending to be an expert, and how communication saves client relationships when things go wrong. Episode Highlights: Starting Young Simon began his IT journey at age 7, disassembling and repairing broken computers his father brought home. This early hands-on experience gave him confidence and skills that would shape his entire career. The One-Man Army Problem For 10 years, Simon ran his business alone. He describes the impossible stress of choosing between multiple emergency calls happening simultaneously and why having a business partner changed everything. Honest Communication Wins When clients leave or when something goes wrong, Simon picks up the phone immediately. He shares why confronting problems early, even at 7pm, prevents bigger issues the next morning. Break/Fix vs MSP Model Simon explains the fundamental difference between being an IT firefighter and providing managed services. The MSP model eliminates billing drama and gives clients peace of mind. IT Specialization Reality Just because someone works “in IT” doesn’t mean they do everything. Simon uses the electrician vs plumber analogy to explain why IT professionals specialize and why that’s perfectly okay. The Vegas Tech Community After moving from Quebec to Las Vegas years ago, Simon has been actively building connections in the local tech community. He believes in turning LinkedIn connections into real friendships. Key Takeaways: 1. Admitting “I don’t know” and asking for help builds more trust than pretending to be an expert in everything 2. Communication is priority #1 – confront problems immediately instead of avoiding them 3. Having a business partner or team prevents burnout and enables business growth 4. The MSP model provides stability for both provider and client compared to break/fix 5. Building genuine relationships, both online and in person, creates lasting professional networks 6. Know your strengths and confidently refer out what you don’t do well 7. When clients leave, call them to understand why instead of hiding from the conversation About Simon Robert: Simon Robert is the President of Novbox, an IT managed service provider in Las Vegas. With over 30 years of experience starting from age 7, Simon specializes in helping businesses maintain secure and reliable IT infrastructure through managed services. Listen to learn how honest communication, genuine relationships, and knowing when to ask for help can transform your career – whether you’re running your own business or working in corporate IT. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their experiences and their background, to really try and uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode, I have with me Simon Robert. And this is a very interesting story, so him and I actually connected on LinkedIn, we actually met in person, you know, just in an informal setting, got to know each other, to know about each other a little bit more about his career. And he has kind of established his own business. So again, this is going to be something different than all of the other traditional ones where you kno...

Episode Information Show NotesTechnical skills land you the job. People skills determine everything that comes next. Yvette Durazo brings conflict resolution expertise to Silicon Valley tech companies. As a professional mediator and coach, she helps technical professionals navigate the transition into leadership roles. She teaches at universities and works with companies to build conflict intelligence throughout their organizations. This episode tackles a gap most bootcamps and certifications ignore. You can master Python, ace the PM certification, and still struggle when team dynamics turn difficult. Yvette explains why project managers need influence skills nobody warned them about, how unresolved conflict creates measurable health costs, and why companies should budget for these skillsets differently. Episode Highlights: Manuel and Yvette discuss the inevitable shift from technical work to people management. Most engineers and developers focus on hard skills early in their careers. Then they move into project management or team leadership and discover a new challenge: working with people they don’t directly supervise. Yvette shares her experience teaching conflict resolution in project management certificate programs. The programs teach scheduling, budgeting, and timeline management. They rarely prepare students for influencing stakeholders across the organization. That gap creates real problems when projects involve multiple departments. The conversation moves into conflict health. Yvette describes how prolonged workplace stress affects cortisone levels, cognitive function, and physical wellbeing. Employees operating in constant fight-or-flight mode can’t access creativity or innovation. Companies lose productivity and face increased absenteeism. You’ll hear why Yvette advocates for moving conflict resolution training from learning and development budgets into risk management. The training gets cut first when budgets tighten if leadership sees it as optional development. Treating it as risk mitigation changes the conversation. The episode closes with Yvette’s perspective on “bringing your whole self to work.” She suggests companies would benefit more from supporting employees to bring their healthy selves to work instead. Key Takeaways: – Technical expertise alone won’t carry you through leadership transitions – Project management inherently requires influence skills across reporting lines – Workplace conflict creates measurable physical and mental health impacts – Fight-or-flight responses eliminate creativity and productivity – Conflict resolution belongs in risk management, not just Learning and Development – Companies benefit from employees bringing their healthy selves to work About This Week’s Guest: Yvette Durazo works as a professional mediator and coach in Silicon Valley. She specializes in helping tech leaders develop conflict intelligence. Her work includes teaching university courses, coaching individual leaders, and facilitating organizational conflict resolution. She’s the author of “Conflict Intelligence Quotient.” Resources Mentioned: Book: “Conflict Intelligence Quotient” by Yvette Durazo Subscribe to Career Downloads: Get weekly career advice from tech leaders managing their own career journeys. Available on all podcast platforms. #CareerDownloads #ConflictResolution #TechLeadership #CareerDevelopment TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really uncover actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. I’m excited for today’s episode, because I have with me Yvette Durazo. And she’s not what you would consider your tech… Your typical tech worker.

Episode Information Show Notes What happens when you combine curiosity, willingness to take chances, and genuine interest in people? You get Bob Leek’s career story – a journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming CIO of Clark County, Nevada. Bob didn’t start with a master plan. He got an accounting degree, landed in retail finance, and complained about IT systems so much they moved him to technology. His path through retail (Egghead), pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and public sector roles taught him that relationships matter more than transactions, and that saying yes to opportunities often matters more than having all the credentials. Now leading technology for one of America’s largest counties – serving 2.3 million residents and 40 million annual visitors – Bob brings an approachable leadership style that breaks down the intimidation factor many feel around executive titles. He’s proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out from day one. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Bob shares how growing up in Mount Airy, North Carolina (Andy Griffith’s hometown) shaped his values around community and connection. His entry into technology came from an accounting degree and working in finance at Egghead, where he complained about IT systems so much they moved him to the technology department. The conversation covers his progression through retail technology, pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and Multnomah County before making the jump to Clark County. Bob explains what it means to manage technology infrastructure for millions of people while maintaining his commitment to accessibility and relationship-building. You’ll hear about his philosophy on networking (hint: it’s not about collecting business cards), why he asks questions without worrying about looking uninformed, and how curiosity has been his career accelerator. Bob also opens up about being a “professional extrovert and social introvert” and what that means for how he shows up in his role. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Complaining about problems can lead to opportunities if you’re willing to help fix them Asking questions, even ones you think might sound basic, accelerates your learning Real networking is about genuine curiosity, not transactional exchanges Saying yes to opportunities matters more than waiting until you feel fully prepared Building relationships with people across industries creates career momentum Leadership roles don’t have to be intimidating – accessibility builds stronger teams ABOUT THE GUEST: Bob Leek is the Chief Information Officer for Clark County, Nevada. His career began with an accounting degree and moved through retail technology (Egghead), pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and public sector leadership at Multnomah County. Bob’s approachable style and commitment to community-building have made him a respected figure in technology leadership. CONNECT WITH BOB: Find Bob on LinkedIn or reach out through Clark County official channels. He genuinely means it when he says to come say hi at events. SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT: Career Downloads brings you conversations with technology leaders and professionals to help you manage your career with more success. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or watch full episodes on YouTube. Join our community on the social platforms: Website: https://careerdownloads.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences,

Episode Information Show Notes Episode Summary: Vika Nevmyvakova’s career path looks nothing like she planned. She arrived in the US from Ukraine at 20 with law school dreams. No resources to make it happen. No network. No connections. She took whatever jobs paid bills. Call centers. Customer service. The work most people see as stepping stones, she turned into skill-building. That’s where she discovered she loved talking to people and solving problems. More importantly, she was good at it. Today she consults with pre-funding stage startups on sales operations. She helps technical founders who built genius products but struggle to sell them. Her career philosophy is simple: take shots you’re not ready for. Apply when you meet 60% of requirements. Ask questions that might sound stupid. Build expertise through curiosity. This conversation unpacks her immigration journey, multiple career pivots, working through language barriers, and why she tells everyone to stop waiting until they feel prepared. What You’ll Discover: Her path from Ukraine to US tech sales consulting Why call center work taught skills law school wouldn’t Sales consulting for early-stage startups and what founders actually need How curiosity became her biggest competitive advantage The confidence gap: men apply at 60%, women wait for 100% Real talk about working with an accent and language barriers Her interview preparation tactics using YouTube How to articulate value versus just listing product features Why following through on commitments builds credibility faster than anything else The “what’s the worst that can happen” mindset that changed her career Key Takeaways: Your career doesn’t need to follow the plan you made at 20. Vika’s path from law school aspirations to tech sales happened through a series of sideways moves. Customer service work taught communication skills and problem-solving under pressure that translated directly to sales. Curiosity beats credentials. She built her expertise by sitting through engineering demos, joining product calls, and asking endless questions. When she talks to customers, she can articulate value in ways others can’t because she did the work to deeply understand the business. The confidence gap is real and costly. Men typically apply when they meet 60% of job requirements. Women wait for 100%. The difference? Men who apply get hired. If you don’t take the shot, you already have a no. Following through separates average from excellent. Tell someone you’ll look something up and actually do it. Your credibility lives or dies on this one habit. Guest Bio: Vika Nevmyvakova is a Sales Consultant working with pre-funding stage startups. She helps technical founders develop sales strategies, implement CRM systems, and translate complex features into clear customer value. Born in Ukraine, she moved to the US at 20, pivoted from law aspirations to technology, and built her career by staying relentlessly curious and taking shots before feeling ready. Resources Mentioned: YouTube for interview preparation and skill development Mock interview practice CRM systems for startups Prospecting platforms for early-stage companies Listen to the full episode to hear Vika’s complete story and get her unfiltered advice on making career moves before you feel prepared. Subscribe to Career Downloads: New episodes every week featuring technology leaders sharing real career lessons. #CareerDownloads #SalesConsulting #CareerChange #TechCareers #StartupLife #ImmigrantStory TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and again, this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to help you uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career.

Episode Information Show NotesJazmin Diaz’s career story dismantles the myth that you need perfect credentials to succeed in technology. Her path from middle school administrative assistant to Chief of Staff at a cybersecurity company demonstrates how curiosity, authenticity, and strategic relationship-building can accelerate professional growth.Episode Highlights:Jazmin shares her unique background growing up between two cultures – born in California, raised in Mexico until age nine, then returning to relearn English and navigate American educational systems. This experience shaped her ability to connect with others facing similar challenges, particularly at-risk students during her time working in education.The conversation reveals practical strategies for career transitions, including how she researched transferable skills, leveraged informational interviews, and ultimately secured her first tech role through networking rather than traditional applications. Her willingness to start as a receptionist – despite years of experience – proved essential for getting her foot in the door.Key Takeaways:Networking authentically means building relationships without immediate agendaBeing uncomfortable signals growth opportunities worth pursuingSelf-advocacy requires data and strategic timing, not just confidenceStarting at entry level in a new industry can fast-track learning and advancementSalary negotiation extends beyond base pay to stock options, bonuses, and benefitsVulnerability and authenticity create stronger professional connections than perfectionResources Mentioned:Book: “Ignite Your Growth” by Jazmin Diaz (English)Book: “Enciende Tu Crecimiento” by Jazmin Diaz (Spanish)Flourish Learning and DevelopmentConnect with Our Guest: Jazmin Diaz is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching through Flourish Learning and Development. Her book is available in both English and Spanish editions.About Career Downloads: Each episode features professionals sharing real experiences, setbacks, and breakthroughs to help you manage your own career with greater success. Host Manuel Martinez brings conversations that go beyond surface-level advice to uncover actionable insights you can apply immediately. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really uncover how they’ve managed their career over time with the ultimate goal to help you uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m really excited for today’s episode. This has really been eight, almost nine months in the making. So for those of you who are aware, back in December, I had Cynthia Hara on and a mutual contact of my current guest and Cynthia’s kind of got in contact with me, put me in contact with Jazmin Diaz is who I have on. We’ve had a number of conversations since that time trying to work out, so she’s not local to Las Vegas, just trying to find out logistically how this would work out. And I’m really excited because apart from the alignment of what she’s currently doing, what she’s done, kind of what the podcast is, in between that time, she has also become an author and she’s written a book, both in English and in Spanish, again, around career and professional development and personal development. So I’m really excited and this is gonna be a great one. So with that, I will go ahead and introduce Jazmin Diaz. Jazmin Diaz: Thank you so much for having me, Manny. Really glad to be here with you finally. Manuel Martinez: Finally, right. I mean, it’s interesting that when Sal kind of put us in contact, it took us a little while. We’d look back and it’s almost nine months that this has gone on and I think it happened at this moment for a reason, right?

Episode Information Show Notes Episode Highlights: Join host Manuel Martinez for an inspiring conversation with Rishma Khimji, the pioneering CIO of Harry Reid International Airport. Her story begins with constant movement – nine cities across two countries – and leads to managing technology systems that serve millions of travelers annually. Rishma’s career trajectory breaks conventional wisdom about climbing corporate ladders. Starting as a junior programmer debugging code for IBM, she discovered her true calling lay in making technology invisible to end users. Her public sector experience spans water utilities, police departments, and now aviation – each role teaching her how technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. Key Takeaways: Embrace Your Migration Story: Constant change teaches adaptability and opens doors you never imagined Failure Equals Course Correction: Build backup plans (A, B, and C) because your primary approach won’t always work Technology Should Be Invisible: The best systems are the ones passengers never think about Community Amplifies Success: Surround yourself with people who champion your growth Apply at 50% Qualification: Stop waiting until you’re 100% ready – most learning happens on the job AI as Augmented Influence: Use technology to enhance your capabilities, not replace your humanity Resources Mentioned: “Smart Brevity” book referenced by Manuel Airport common-use technology systems RFID baggage tracking implementation Public sector technology transformation strategies About Rishma Khimji: Rishma serves as Chief Information Officer for the Clark County Department of Aviation, managing technology operations for Harry Reid International Airport and four general aviation facilities. Her leadership spans over 25 years in technology, with experience transforming operations across utilities, law enforcement, and aviation sectors. She’s recognized for her innovative approaches to making technology serve community needs. Connect with Our Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishmakhimji/ Next Steps: Ready to accelerate your tech career? Subscribe to Career Downloads for weekly episodes featuring leaders who’ve navigated unconventional paths to success. Each conversation delivers actionable insights you can implement immediately. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their experiences and their background, to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s guest. I have with me Rishma Khimji and I have crossed paths with her close up, I’ve come close to crossing paths with her a few times. She’s worked on the public sector and when I used to work at VMware, covering public sector. So that’s kind of when I first became aware of her. I’ve seen a lot of what she’s done since that time. So I’m really excited to kind of get to know more about her and how she’s kind of continued to navigate her career. So with that, I’ll introduce Rishma. Rishma: Hi. Manuel: Hi, I appreciate you coming on and again, being willing to share your experiences. Rishma: No, absolutely, happy to be here. So, I know we haven’t always crossed paths face to face but there’s always been an intersection of acquaintances for us. And so I’m very excited to be here because those friends that have already been on this podcast have spoken very highly of you and so I feel very honored to be here. So thank you. Manuel: Thank you, I appreciate that. So if you don’t mind kind of telling people a little bit more about what your current role is and kind of some of the responsibilities that you have to manage. Rishma: Sure, so I’m the first chief information technology officer for the Harry Reid I...

Episode Information Show NotesEpisode OverviewAngie Cosca’s career journey challenges every assumption about traditional tech career paths. Starting with no formal computer science education, she taught herself HTML using Notepad, worked her way up through help desk support, and eventually became CIO of a major healthcare organization – all while staying with the same company for 23 years.Her story demonstrates the power of curiosity, relationship-building, and continuous learning in creating a successful technology career.Key TakeawaysOn Career Development:Formal education isn’t required for tech success, but continuous learning is non-negotiableTaking on responsibilities beyond your job description opens unexpected opportunitiesBuilding relationships across the organization matters as much as technical skillsOn Leadership:Understanding business workflows and pain points enables better technology solutionsCollaborative hiring processes involving other departments improve team dynamicsSecond opinions and diverse perspectives strengthen decision-makingOn Healthcare IT:Technology professionals in healthcare indirectly save lives by ensuring reliable systemsVendor relationships should be partnerships, not just transactionsAI implementation requires careful change management to avoid employee fearGuest BackgroundAngie Cosca serves as Chief Information Officer at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), where she oversees IT infrastructure, compliance, and security for 12 locations serving 550+ employees. The organization processes approximately 500,000 diagnostic studies annually, including MRIs, CTs, X-rays, and ultrasounds.Beyond her corporate role, Angie is President of ISSA Las Vegas and dedicates extensive time to mentoring through IT Works, a 16-week intensive program helping disadvantaged students transition into technology careers.Resources MentionedIT Works: 16-week intensive IT program for disadvantaged studentsISSA Las Vegas: Information Systems Security Association chapterPACS: Picture Archival Communication System for medical imagingUNLV Negotiation Course: Referenced for professional developmentEpisode HighlightsThe Power of Curiosity: How asking “why” and observing workflows leads to better solutionsVendor Partnership Strategy: Building relationships beyond transactional interactionsMentorship Impact: The long-term relationships formed through programs like IT WorksHealthcare Technology: Understanding the life-saving implications of reliable IT systemsConnect with AngieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-cosca/ISSA Las Vegas: https://www.lvissa.org/ TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode, I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. I’m excited for today’s episode because I have with me Angie Cosca, and she is a CIO here in, for the medical industry within Las Vegas. So again, I’m very excited to kind of understand her journey, where she kind of started and eventually how she ended up in her role. So with that, I’ll introduce Angie. Hi Angie. Angie Cosca: Hi, thank you for having me, Manuel. Manuel Martinez: I appreciate you coming on and being open to kind of sharing your experiences. Angie Cosca: I’m excited. Manuel Martinez: So if you don’t mind, can you just kind of tell us what your current role is and just some of the roles and responsibilities that you fulfill on a daily basis for the most part? Angie Cosca: Sure. So I am currently the Chief Information Officer for Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging. For some of the audiences that know what this is, it’s a radiology center. We have 12 locations here, and we handle about half a million studies a year.

Episode Information Show NotesIn this episode, Manuel Martinez interviews Dr. Doreen Galli, Chief of Research at TBW Advisors, about her remarkable career journey through the technology industry. Dr. Galli shares candid insights about her path from academic overachiever to holding senior executive roles at companies like IBM, Microsoft, AT&T, and DHL.Guest Background: Dr. Doreen Galli is currently Chief of Research at TBW Advisors, a media company and industry analyst firm. She has held CIO and CTO positions at Fortune 10 companies and was a platform architect for Microsoft Azure. Her career spans operations, consulting, and advisory roles across multiple industries including telecommunications, logistics, and cloud computing.Episode Highlights:Dr. Galli opens up about completing a triple major in college while being an All-American athlete and working multiple tutoring jobs. She explains how she convinced her registrar to allow course overloads by presenting a detailed plan and backup strategies.The conversation covers her time as the first postdoc at IBM’s Center for Advanced Studies, where she worked alongside technology legends like Paul Larson (father of SQL) and learned to navigate complex technical integrations under extreme pressure.She shares practical strategies for time management, including Benjamin Franklin’s time blocking method that she still uses today. Dr. Galli explains how scheduling everything – including relaxation time – creates more flexibility rather than rigidity.The discussion reveals the realities of working in technology, including how to handle the inevitable layoffs and reorganizations that come with change management roles. Dr. Galli emphasizes that business decisions aren’t personal and shares strategies for protecting your professional brand.Key Takeaways:Don’t accept other people’s limitations on your capabilities“Who knows what you know” matters more than who you knowMake requests easy for people to approve by doing the planning work upfrontMaintain interests outside of work to balance the ups and downs of corporate lifeInfluence comes from listening and understanding different perspectives on the same problemResources Mentioned:Benjamin Franklin’s time blocking methodologyThe movie “Short Circuit” as inspiration for continuous learningThe importance of having non-work activities for emotional balanceThis episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to advance their technology career, handle workplace challenges professionally, or develop stronger leadership and communication skills. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their career and the way that they’ve been able to manage it over time, to really uncover any lessons or ideas that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I’m pretty excited. I have with me Dr. Doreen Galli. We met at Toastmasters and the conversation has gone well. She had talked a little bit about some of the work that she has done, looked at her profile on LinkedIn. It’s very extensive. We’ve had some conversations since then. There’s no way we’re gonna be able to cover everything she’s done, but there are gonna be a lot of key lessons just in the short time that we’ve talked that I think are gonna be really insightful and important to cover. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Dr. Doreen. Doreen Galli: Hi, nice to see you. How are you doing? Manuel Martinez: I’m doing fantastic. Thanks for asking. How about yourself? Doreen Galli: Good, thanks for having me. Looking forward, hope it’ll help some people. Manuel Martinez: And that’s ultimately the goal. So if you don’t mind, just as we get started, if you can just tell us what your current role is and just a summary of the roles and re...

Episode Information Show Notes Clinton Lee’s career journey reads like a masterclass in adaptability. What started as dreams of becoming a teacher transformed into a successful path through IT infrastructure, customer-side technical roles, and ultimately sales engineering leadership. Currently serving as a Director of Sales Engineering, Clinton shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from his first encounter with VMware technology to learning how to overcome introversion in customer-facing roles. Episode Highlights: Early Career Foundation Clinton’s path began at a technical certification school where he learned Windows, Cisco networking, and foundational IT skills. His willingness to take on any challenge—from teaching classes to running cable—set the stage for future growth. The VMware Turning Point Working at Toyota, Clinton witnessed his first vMotion demonstration while servers were being pinged. That “magical” moment sparked a passion for virtualization technology that would define his career trajectory. Transitioning to Sales Engineering Despite initial reservations about sales roles, Clinton made the leap to VMware as a vSAN specialist. He candidly discusses the challenges of being an introvert in a customer-facing position and how he developed the energy and presence needed for success. Leadership Lessons From individual contributor to team manager, Clinton shares insights about developing people, the importance of genuine relationships, and why helping others succeed became his driving motivation. Key Takeaways for Listeners: Technical expertise alone isn’t enough—learn to solve business problems Network authentically and build genuine relationships Great mentors can change your career trajectory Feedback is a gift—always ask for it and act on it Leadership skills can be developed with intention and practice Guest Bio: Clinton Lee is a Director of Sales Engineering with extensive experience in virtualization technologies and team leadership. His career spans customer-side IT infrastructure, technical consulting, and vendor-side sales engineering across multiple industries. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their career and their experiences, to really understand what they’ve done to be able to kind of manage that career over time. So I’m pretty excited about my guest today. I have Clinton Lee. So he, I know I’ve talked about this in the past, about me working at VMware. He is a big part of kind of how that happened. So, you know, we’ll touch on that, ask him a couple of questions and, you know, get to learn more about his specific career path. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Clinton. Clinton: Hey Manuel: How’s it going? Clinton: It’s awesome, it’s awesome to finally be on here, Manny. Manuel: It’s been a while, so I know we kind of touched base a few times, you know, outside of the podcast. So I was pretty excited to, you know, have you on, talk about your journey and then just kind of that intersection of how we, you know, came across each other. Clinton: Yeah, I’m super excited to do it for sure. Manuel: So if you don’t mind, kind of tell us what your current role is and just a brief summary of some of your roles and responsibilities. And then eventually we’ll kind of work our way towards that. Clinton: Yeah, so I mean, you’re, I mean, this is probably not going to be anything new for you or maybe some of your listeners, but I’m a director of sales engineering. So I manage SEs, you know, they’re called solution engineers, systems engineer, sales engineers, like all kinds of names for what’s basically the same function, which is the technical, you know, in the weeds counterpart to your salesperson at a tech company.

Episode Information Show Notes Jeramie Brown’s career journey proves there’s no single path to technology leadership success. Starting as a radio and television broadcaster in the Air Force, Jeramie spent 24 years learning storytelling, communication, and adaptability while gradually building technical expertise. Today, he serves as Chief Information Officer for a Nevada public agency and President of the Las Vegas AITP chapter. Episode Summary This conversation explores how diverse backgrounds create stronger tech leaders. Jeramie shares his transition from analog broadcasting to digital technology, the leadership lessons learned through military service, and practical strategies for embracing change in fast-moving tech environments. Key Discussion Points Career Transition Strategy: How Jeramie deliberately started at entry-level after military retirement to build confidence and prove his technical abilities Change Management Philosophy: Finding excitement within scary changes to make adaptation easier Leadership Evolution: Moving from technical contributor to strategic leader who develops others Trust Building: Why owning mistakes publicly strengthens team dynamics Professional Networks: How organizations like AITP, ISSA, and SIM accelerate career growth Notable Quotes “Artificial intelligence is not a replacement for you or for anybody, it is an augmentation tool. It will help you do your job or do that task better, faster, more reliable.” “I wanted to be the guy that they could go to and ask questions and I can help guide them to the right answers.” “You have to find a way to convey the information in a story, right? Because that’s what people are gonna connect to.” Resources Mentioned Book: “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni Organizations: AITP, ISSA, SIM, Thrive, PMI Leadership Authors: Simon Sinek Career Advice Highlights Embrace Non-Traditional Paths – Diverse backgrounds bring valuable perspectives to technology roles Focus on Skill Development – Technical skills plus communication abilities create powerful combinations Join Professional Associations – These organizations provide networking, mentorship, and growth opportunities Lead Through Service – Great leaders develop their teams rather than showcasing personal expertise Build Trust Through Transparency – Admitting mistakes encourages team honesty and collaboration Connect with Jeramie LinkedIn: Jeramie Brown, CIO Professional Association: AITP Las Vegas Chapter Career Downloads explores diverse paths to technology success. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and visit our website for full episode transcripts and resources. #CareerDownloads #TechnologyCareers #ITLeadership #CareerAdvice Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to learn more about their background, their experiences, to really uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Jeramie Brown and I’m very excited, we met in a professional setting. He is in senior leadership, so I’m very excited to kind of uncover his path to that type of role and kind of what he’s learned along the way. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Jeramie. Hi Jeramie. Jeramie: Hi Manuel. Manuel: I appreciate you taking the time to come on and share your experiences. Jeramie: Oh, I’m super excited to be here. I love things like this, like getting the opportunity to help people grow in their career and kind of figure out where they wanna go and like where they are now, where they wanna be and how to get there. Manuel: Fantastic. This is the perfect place to do that. (both laughing) So if you don’t mind kind of telling us what your current role and responsibilities a...

Episode Information Show NotesWhat does it take to go from a curious kid tinkering with an Apple IIe computer to leading cybersecurity at a major university? Vito Rocco’s journey offers a masterclass in career development, strategic thinking, and the power of continuous learning.Currently serving as Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Vito brings a unique perspective shaped by small-town Pennsylvania roots, military service, and the challenging world of higher education cybersecurity. His story demonstrates how curiosity, adaptability, and strong communication skills can transform a career trajectory.Episode Highlights:The Foundation Years: Discover how summer access to his teacher-father’s Apple IIe computer sparked a lifelong passion for technology, leading to building computers in high school and becoming the go-to tech person among peers.Military Transformation: Learn why Vito chose military service over traditional college, his initial role in artillery, and the strategic decision to reclassify into cybersecurity during the field’s early expansion.Skills Development: Understand the value of military training programs, the importance of certifications, and how hands-on experience with different cybersecurity domains shaped his expertise.Higher Education Challenges: Get insider perspective on the unique security challenges universities face, balancing academic freedom with protection, and why traditional corporate security approaches don’t always work in educational settings.Leadership Evolution: Explore the transition from technical expert to organizational leader, including the communication skills required to influence without authority and build support for security initiatives.Career Advice: Gain practical insights on the importance of IT fundamentals, the value of professional networking, and why understanding business context is essential for cybersecurity success.Vito’s journey illustrates that there’s no single path to cybersecurity leadership. Whether you’re starting in military service, traditional IT roles, or considering a career change, this conversation provides actionable insights for building expertise and advancing your career in the rapidly expanding cybersecurity field. TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their experiences, and really what got them interested in technology and how they managed to navigate their career over time. For today’s episode, I have with me Vito Rocco. So I’m pretty excited about this one. So he is a CISO for UNLV and we’ll get into that conversation but a lot of his background, just the way that he navigated and eventually got into that type of role, I think is very interesting. So I’m looking forward to this conversation. And with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Vito. How’s it going? Vito: Great, thanks for having me. Manuel: I appreciate you coming on and being able to share your experiences. Vito: Yeah, absolutely. I’m glad to be here. Manuel: So if you don’t mind, just kind of summarize for us and kind of give us some of your background is kind of where you grew up. And then we’ll kind of follow that story into what got you into technology. Vito: So I grew up in Pennsylvania, little town north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And I’m the oldest of six kids. I have five brothers and sisters. And so grew up in a big family. And I sort of always had an interest in technology growing up. These were the days before every household had a computer. But my dad was a teacher. And so he had a computer in his classroom and every summer he got to bring home the computer. And so we had this, it was an Apple IIe computer that was sort of my first intro to technology or IT.

Episode Information Show Notes What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee? In this special episode, John MacGugan flips the script and puts Manuel Martinez in the hot seat to uncover the real story behind Career Downloads. Episode Summary: Manuel gets candid about building a podcast from zero experience – sharing everything from his early days relying on a professional studio (the “production limo” era) to learning the hard way with broken equipment and terrible lighting. You’ll hear about the friendship with Jake Izumi that sparked this whole journey, the Women’s Empowerment Institute mentorship program that provided the inspiration, and why he chose to focus on real people instead of celebrity interviews. This conversation reveals the honest struggles of podcast creation: the learning curve, the costs, the family time sacrificed, and the reality checks that almost ended everything at the six-month mark. Manuel also shares his ambitious plans for taking the show on the road and expanding beyond the tech industry. What You’ll Learn: How a simple mentorship conversation led to 40+ episodes Why free learning materials only get you 75% of the way there The game-changing moment when Manuel invested in professional help How Toastmasters transformed his interviewing approach The real costs (time, money, relationships) of independent podcast production Future plans for multi-city recording and industry expansion Key Topics Discussed: The Jake Izumi origin story and Women’s Empowerment Institute connection Transitioning from professional studio to DIY production Learning lighting, audio, and video editing through trial and error The importance of intentional practice and professional consultation Building genuine relationships with guests across the tech industry Plans for on-location recording and industry diversification Episode Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction and role reversal setup [02:30] The friendship that started it all – Jake Izumi’s influence [05:45] From mentorship challenges to podcast solution [09:15] The “Honda Civic era” – DIY production struggles [13:20] Expectations versus reality after 40+ episodes [17:45] Learning the hard way about audience feedback [21:30] Why investing in professionals made all the difference [25:15] Future vision – expanding industries and locations [29:30] The dream of on-location recording trips [32:45] Call for audience feedback and suggestions [34:00] Closing reflections and what’s next Guest Information: John MacGugan brings his unique perspective as both a longtime listener and professional in the tech industry. His thoughtful questions reveal sides of the podcast creation process that even regular listeners haven’t heard before. Resources Mentioned: Women’s Empowerment Institute mentorship program Toastmasters International Episode 2 featuring Janetta Dunbar (Sony PlayStation) Professional photography and lighting consultation Connect & Continue the Conversation: Have feedback about the show or suggestions for future industries to explore? Manuel reads every comment and is actively planning future seasons based on listener input. Next Episode Preview: The new season launches soon with exciting guests from industries you’ve been requesting. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss these upcoming conversations. Transcription Manuel: So welcome everyone. This is Manuel Martinez with a mini teaser for the Career Downloads podcast. Normally I bring on a different guest, you know, I hit the refresh button, but this time we’re gonna do something a little different. It’s gonna be a big refresh where we’re basically, I have a guest that’s gonna go through and ask me some questions focused around the podcast and kind of how it came about. Cause it’s one of the things that, you know, he realized and has brought to my attention that a lot of people don’t know how this came...

Episode Information Show NotesWhy it matters: John MacGugan built a 25-year satellite technology career without a college degree, proving that curiosity and initiative can overcome traditional barriers.The journey: Starting in a phone company mail room in 1989, John worked his way up through voicemail systems, satellite installation, and business ownership before landing at DirecTV as a traveling engineer.Key turning points:– Fixed accounting errors in the mail room, making it profitable for the first time– Missed Amazon stock options in 1997 but learned about diversifying skills– Lost his satellite business in the 2008 housing crash, forcing a move to Texas– Became a LinkedIn content creator during the pandemicWhat you’ll learn:– How technical skills transfer across different technologies– Why “it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you” for networking– Four principles for sustained career success– How to bounce back from business failuresBreaking news: John announces his upcoming book on brand ambassadorship, combining his engineering expertise with content creation experience.Bottom line: John’s story shows how continuous learning, authentic relationships, and calculated risks can build a resilient tech career even without traditional credentials.Guest: John MacGugan, DirecTV Engineer and LinkedIn content creator, based in Kansas City, MissouriConnect: Follow John MacGugan on LinkedIn for satellite technology and professional development insightshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/john-macgugan/Career Downloads features real stories from technology professionals about career pivots, lessons learned, and practical growth advice. TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their experiences and their career to help you as you’re managing your own career. For today’s episode, I have with me John MacGugan. John and I actually have never worked together. I met him when I was actually purchasing my first motorcycle. He was very knowledgeable, very helpful, so he answered a lot of questions. We spend a lot of time together, just understanding the motorcycle and through that process, we started talking about what we did for a living and eventually connected on LinkedIn and have maintained a relationship over that time. So I’m very excited. We’re gonna talk a little bit more about what he does, but he actually happened to be in town and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring him on and have him as a guest. So with that, I’ll introduce John. Johh: Hey, how are you? Manuel: Good. John: I’m excited to be here, thank you. Manuel: And I’m glad that you’re able to come on. We’ve talked about it a little bit before about kind of your experiences. So I knew just a short period of kind of what you’re doing now and what you were doing when I was working together, but I’m excited to kind of go through the whole experience. John: Before I do that, I’ll just say I’m a huge fan of the Career Downloads podcast. I love the interviews and the reason why I like it is because every time I listen to an interview, I learn something. And there are a bunch of podcast style interview shows that are out there in the marketplace where you walk away after an hour or two, you don’t learn anything. And I’m in a place in my life where I wanna learn skills, I wanna learn what other people have done in their lives, take those lessons, apply into my own life, my career, and you have a great platform to do that. So it’s an honor to be here, thank you. Manuel: Thank you, I appreciate it. And I’m glad that even somebody like yourself who’s kind of managed your career and is still finding value out of it. John: Yeah, absolutely. So I work for DirecTV, nine years, about the time this goes live, it’ll be nine years,

Episode Information Show NotesWhat if moving 18 times before your 18th birthday could become your greatest career asset? In this conversation, Jessica Parker reveals how early life challenges shaped an unshakeable approach to career resilience that’s kept her employed for over three decades.Jessica’s path from aspiring computer scientist to elementary educator to tech consultant illustrates the power of strategic pivots and continuous learning. Her story challenges conventional wisdom about career planning, showing how flexibility and adaptability often trump rigid goal-setting.This Episode Covers:Strategic Career Navigation Jessica discusses her approach to building multiple skill sets across project management, quality assurance, and business analysis. She explains how diversifying capabilities creates options during uncertain times and why having “Plan B, C, and D” matters more than perfecting Plan A.The Contract Work Advantage Contrary to popular belief about job security, Jessica makes a compelling case for contract positions as career accelerators. She breaks down the mindset shifts needed to thrive as a contractor and how to leverage temporary roles for skill building and network expansion.Learning as a Core Competency With a habit of reading 300+ books annually, Jessica shares her methods for rapid knowledge acquisition and retention. The conversation explores practical note-taking strategies and how to synthesize information from multiple sources for real-world application.Professional Relationship Building From Toastmasters to industry associations, Jessica explains how authentic networking creates career opportunities. Her “volunteer mindset” approach to workplace collaboration offers a fresh perspective on getting the best from professional relationships.Career Resilience Workshop Insights Jessica developed a custom workshop on career resilience for graduate students, distilling decades of experience into actionable frameworks. She shares key principles around transferable skills, strategic planning, and maintaining employability across economic cycles.Key Takeaways:Document your work thoroughly to avoid becoming indispensable in the wrong wayBuild relationships before you need them, not during crisis momentsDevelop skills that transfer across industries and rolesEmbrace feedback as a gift for professional growthConsider contract work as a strategic career move, not a last resortGuest Background: Jessica Parker is a technology consultant specializing in cybersecurity and AI research. She’s currently completing her doctoral dissertation while running a consulting practice that helps small businesses solve complex technology challenges. Her career spans multiple industries including healthcare, finance, and technology, with experience in project management, quality assurance, and organizational leadership.Resources Mentioned:VitalSmarts “Crucial Conversations” seriesProject Management Professional (PMP) certificationToastmasters InternationalSociety for Information Management (SIM)Connect with Jessica: Find Jessica’s career resilience workshop and research publications on ResearchGate.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-parker-pmp/Career Downloads explores the real journeys of technology professionals, uncovering practical advice for managing your own career with greater success. Host Manuel Martinez brings you authentic conversations about the wins, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.Listen on your preferred platform: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube Music] | [YouTube]Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday featuring diverse voices from the technology industry. TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their career and their experiences with the goal to help uncover any actionabl...

Episode Information Show Notes What does it take to transform from a farm girl in rural Mexico to a cybersecurity solutions engineer at a leading tech company? In this episode, Estela Baca shares her remarkable journey of defying expectations, overcoming setbacks, and building a thriving career in technology. Estela’s story begins in Teziutlán, Mexico, where she grew up with her grandmother in a family where education wasn’t expected for women. After moving to Los Angeles at 15 without speaking English, she navigated high school, earned a computer science degree (while pregnant), and eventually found her way into cybersecurity through marketing and technical roles. Key Topics Discussed: – Early Life and Foundation – Educational Journey – Career Development – Professional Growth Strategies – Cybersecurity Transition – Life Lessons and Philosophy – Networking and Community Key Quotes: – “Action conquers fear” – “Every time somebody tells me no, something switches in my brain” – “I refuse to call it imposter syndrome. It’s the real deal syndrome” – “You can literally start as a marketer and end up as a VP if you understand transferable skills” Resources Mentioned: – “The DevelopHer Playbook” by Lauren Hasson – “Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport – Google Analytics and digital marketing certifications – Local networking groups and tech communities About the Guest: Estela Baca is a Solutions Engineer specializing in cybersecurity and log management. She leads employee resource groups, volunteers in her local tech community, and mentors others looking to break into technology. Her expertise spans digital marketing, technical account management, and cybersecurity solutions. Connect with Estela: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estela-baca-07b02b6b/ Episode Highlights: This conversation offers practical insights for anyone considering a career change, breaking into tech, or looking to advance in cybersecurity. Estela’s story demonstrates that non-traditional backgrounds can become significant advantages when combined with determination, strategic thinking, and continuous learning. Whether you’re just starting your career journey or looking to make your next move, this episode provides actionable strategies for professional growth, relationship building, and turning challenges into opportunities. Subscribe to Career Downloads: Available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes release every Tuesday featuring real conversations with technology professionals who share their career journeys, lessons learned, and practical advice for professional success. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their background and their experiences, to help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Estela Baca and I had followed her on LinkedIn, saw a lot of the posts, a lot of what she was doing, kind of dug into her background. Eventually I reached out to her and she was very gracious and decided to come on and share her experiences. So I’m very excited, she has a very interesting background, there’s a lot of challenges there and there’s gonna be a lot of good information and a lot of good storytelling for you to kind of listen and learn along the way. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Estela. Estela: Hi, Manny. Manuel: Hello. Again, I appreciate you coming in and talking about your experiences and kind of how you’ve managed your career over time. So if you wouldn’t mind just telling us kind of what your current role is and some of those responsibilities and we’ll take it from there. Estela: Perfect, sounds good. Well, again, Estella Baca, I am currently a solutions engineer for a company that doe...

Episode Information Show NotesIn this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez interviews Paola Mendiola, a promising digital forensics student at CSN who shares her journey into technology and cybersecurity.Episode SummaryPaola takes us through her tech journey, beginning with the transformative moment when her father brought home their first computer. This experience allowed her to connect with family in Mexico through video calls – a pivotal event that sparked her passion for technology. As a first-generation tech enthusiast, Paola discusses navigating educational opportunities, from her high school IT and cybersecurity program to her current studies at CSN.Throughout the conversation, Paola candidly shares her experiences with high school robotics competitions, her valuable training at Tech Impact, and how she’s building her professional network as a newcomer to the industry. She provides thoughtful insights about overcoming shyness, establishing a professional presence on LinkedIn, and the crucial importance of finding mentors who can guide your career path.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Paola’s fresh perspective as someone actively entering the field. Her story of recently speaking to young women in tech and her aspirations to become a cybersecurity educator highlight her commitment to helping others following in her footsteps.Key Moments in This Episode02:38 – How Paola’s tech journey began when her dad brought home a computer11:55 – Paola’s experience in high school robotics competitions16:24 – Getting hands-on IT experience through Tech Impact29:20 – Transitioning from shy student to LinkedIn networker44:30 – Speaking to young women about tech and coming full circle52:54 – Paola’s aspiration to become a cybersecurity teacher01:02:40 – Advice for people looking for opportunities in techConnect with PaolaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolamend/Resources MentionedTech Impact: Non-profit organization providing IT trainingSIM Las Vegas: Society for Information ManagementNCWIT: National Center for Women in Information TechnologyNew episodes of Career Downloads are released every Tuesday. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform to catch all our career conversations with professionals across the tech industry!Join our community on the social platforms:Website: https://careerdownloads.comLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloadsYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloadsX/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloadsTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloadsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloadsFaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/CareerDownloads/61561144531249#CareerDownloads #Cybersecurity #TechCareers #WomenInTech #DigitalForensicsReleased: May 20, 2025 TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their experiences and how they’re managing their career over time. With the ultimate goal to be able to uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode. I have with me, Paola Mendiola. And I’m bringing her on because this is gonna be a slightly different conversation. So most of the times I bring on different guests who are already in the industry, have been in for a while and are explaining the different things that they’ve used throughout their career. So the reason that this one’s exciting for me is I have seen a lot of the posts, a lot of the activities that Paola has been doing, you know, on LinkedIn. I reached out to her, we had a couple conversations and I thought it would be beneficial. She’s somebody that’s new and kind of entering into the field. So I think it’d be perfect time to kind of get the perspective from somebody new who’s starting in.

Episode Information Show Notes Episode Summary In this enlightening conversation, Manuel Martinez sits down with Jason Frame, Chief Information Officer at Southern Nevada Health District, to explore his remarkable journey from typing code from magazines as a child to leading critical technology initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason shares candid insights about career progression in technology, developing leadership skills, and building successful teams. About Our Guest Jason Frame serves as the CIO at Southern Nevada Health District, overseeing IT operations for public health services across the Las Vegas area. His organization provides essential health services including restaurant inspections, EMT registrations, and primary care for underserved communities. During COVID-19, Jason’s team led technology efforts for contact tracing, testing, and vaccination management, demonstrating how IT leadership directly impacts critical public services. What You’ll Learn – How Jason’s early experiences with an Apple IIe and Commodore 64 sparked his interest in technology – The transition from programming to leadership roles and the skills needed for each – Why being a continuous learner is crucial for long-term success in technology careers – Practical approaches to communicating your achievements to management – Jason’s hiring philosophy: “I hire for fit and train for skill” – Strategies for stepping outside your comfort zone to accelerate career growth – Practical advice for job interviews and salary negotiations – Why networking and community involvement matter in technology careers Key Insights “If you never ask, the answer is always no.” – Jason shares why taking initiative and seeking opportunities is essential for career advancement. “Don’t reject yourself.” – Jason discusses why you should apply for positions even when you only meet some of the qualifications, noting that men often apply when they meet just 30% of requirements while others might wait until they meet 100%. “Be prepared to show that you’re a learner.” – Jason explains how continuous learning is the most important quality he looks for when hiring technology professionals. Episode Highlights – Jason’s journey from coding games on an Apple IIe to managing complex IT systems – The evolution of IT roles from specialists to versatile technology professionals – How to build relationships that advance your career – Practical strategies for developing both technical and soft skills – The importance of creating a culture where team members are recognized for their contributions – Resources for professional development and continuous learning Connect With Jason Frame Find Jason on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about technology leadership and career development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/framejason/ Join the Conversation What career challenge are you currently facing? Share your questions and experiences in the comments section. We’d love to hear how you’re applying Jason’s advice to your own career journey! #CareerDownloads #TechLeadership #CIOInsights #CareerAdvice #TechnologyCareers #ITLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their experiences and their career with the goal to really understand how they’ve managed it and try and uncover any tips or strategies that they’ve used that you can go ahead and implement as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Jason Frame. So he is a CIO for the Southern Nevada Health District and I’ll let him go ahead and explain a little bit more of kind of what some of the roles and responsibilities that he has, you know, and exactly what they cover. I met him a couple of years back.

Episode Information Show NotesEpisode SummaryJeremy Jakubowicz’s path to becoming president of multiple AI companies is far from conventional. After struggling with learning disabilities throughout his education, Jeremy carved out a unique career trajectory through film, education, casino promotions, and tech software before landing in his current role. His story demonstrates how challenges can become stepping stones and how following the “natural path” can lead to unexpected success.In This EpisodeJeremy shares how his reading and writing disabilities shaped his approach to career development, emphasizing experiential learning and relationship building. From working as a pizza delivery driver to teaching film production, from MC’ing casino events to transitioning into software sales, Jeremy’s journey showcases the power of turning every experience into an opportunity.His decision to move to Las Vegas for $20,000 less than a competing offer exemplifies his philosophy of betting on long-term vision over immediate gain. Jeremy breaks down how he recognized cultural mismatches in his career transitions and eventually found his home at VizExplorer for seven years before moving into AI.Key Takeaways– Alternative Learning Paths: How Jeremy compensated for reading/writing challenges by becoming hands-on and experiential– Network as Currency: Building genuine relationships opened doors across industries– The Expiration Date Philosophy: Knowing when to pivot based on growth opportunity, cultural fit, or new challenges– Value-Add Mindset: Continuously bringing past experiences to enhance current roles– Cultural Fit > Money: Learning to evaluate opportunities beyond compensation– Natural Path Theory: Why forcing opportunities often leads to resistanceNotable Quotes“Don’t overthink things. No matter if it doesn’t work out, you’ll gain valuable takeaways from that experience regardless of its failure or success.”“Everything in life has an expiration date. The thing you need to figure out for yourself is when is that expiration date?”“I always found my path through relationships and building friendships that help open those doors.”Jeremy’s Career TimelineEducational Foundation: Struggled with learning disabilities; found alternative learning methodsFirst Steps: Pizza delivery, film school graduateTeaching Years: Film production teacher with side videography businessCasino Industry: MC, promotions coordinator, progression to managementThe Vegas Gamble: Took pay cut for better opportunity in Las VegasTech Transition: Software sales for casino player tracking systemsVizExplorer Era: Customer success role that lasted 7.5 yearsAI Leadership: Current role as president of multiple AI companiesConnect With Jeremyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jj-jakubowicz-9848a431/Listen & SubscribeAvailable on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe to Career Downloads for weekly conversations with professionals who’ve navigated unique career paths.Episode Length: 1 hour 4 minutesRelease Date: May 6, 2025 TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to really learn how they navigated their career over time, with the intention to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Jeremy Jakubowicz. We connected, we had a couple conversations and he shared a little bit with me about his journey, you know, the different triumphs and struggles that he’s dealt with. And I thought that was really interesting. So decided to ask him to come on and share his story with everybody. So with that, I’ll go ahead and let Jeremy introduce himself. So welcome Jeremy.Jeremy: Yes, good morning, thank you for having me.Manuel: I appreciate you coming on and being willing to kind of share your experiences.

Episode Information Show Notes In this enlightening episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Sean Leu, a senior IT manager who transformed his career from working as an electrician apprentice to leading development teams in the financial technology sector. This conversation offers invaluable insights into navigating career transitions, developing leadership skills, and embracing continuous learning in the ever-evolving tech industry. About Our Guest: Sean Leu is a senior manager at a financial tech firm, specializing in ServiceNow platform development. His unique career journey spans over 15 years, beginning as an electrician apprentice in 2001 and evolving through various IT roles including help desk, systems engineering, database administration, information security, and ultimately management leadership. Sean’s diverse experience encompasses work with government agencies, casino technology providers, and now financial technology, giving him a broad perspective on career development in the tech sector. Key Discussion Points: – The Power of Career Pivots – Building a Foundation Through Curiosity – The Strategic Value of Continuous Learning – Navigating the Transition to Management – The Interview Coach Revelation – Leadership Development and Time Management – Choosing Your Next Career Move Actionable Takeaways: 1. Embrace curiosity as your primary career development tool – always ask questions and seek mentorship 2. Develop a three-tier learning approach: current role, future goals, and personal interests 3. Understand that career paths are rarely linear – be comfortable with being uncomfortable 4. Master the art of communication, including strategic pauses and structured responses 5. Treat everyone with respect regardless of title – from interns to CEOs 6. Focus on elevating others when in leadership positions 7. Align career moves with personal values and company missions as you progress Notable Quotes: – “You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” – “As a leader, you have the impact that is critical to their career. You can either make or break their career, and they’re trusting you with it.” – “I think having that vehicle to say, hey, that’s what you specialize in, no matter what career you go into is important.” – “Just talk to them like a regular person, be nice, be genuine, be honest, be candid, and I think you’ll go far in this world.” Resources Mentioned: – Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” – CISSP Certification – PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification – ServiceNow Platform – Toastmasters (Referenced by host) – “The Power of Voice” by Denise Woods (Referenced by host) **About Career Downloads:** Career Downloads is your essential resource for actionable career advice and insights. Each episode features in-depth conversations with technology professionals who share their unique career journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Host Manuel Martinez helps uncover practical strategies you can apply to manage and advance your own career in the tech industry. Subscribe & Follow: – Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/career-downloads/id1757472125 – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7IPpfSFWzQ2ELXzCZ9aYJS – Google Podcasts: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL_jJTpsVm2duJWqGaSqGQYfyFqmfrWQu – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads – TikTok: @careerdownloads – Instagram: @careerdownloads – Twitter: @careerdownloads Support the Show: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with colleagues who might benefit from Sean’s insights. Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable career development content to the tech community. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads,

Episode Information Show Notes In this captivating episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Alan Cunningham, a technology leader with a rich and varied background. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Alan shares his remarkable journey from working at age 12 to becoming the CIO for the State of Nevada. Alan walks us through his early fascination with electronics, building sound-to-light units for his DJing career despite being colorblind. His path took him through the British Army where he worked as a signaller, which sparked his journey into technology. After moving to the US in 1995, Alan quickly established himself in the tech world, running a computer store by his second day. Throughout his career, he’s worked as an IT technician, software expert, consultant, ISO for Washoe County School District, and ultimately CIO for the State of Nevada. What stands out in this conversation is Alan’s unwavering commitment to honesty and integrity, which has guided his career decisions even when they led to challenging transitions. He offers practical wisdom for those entering the tech field, emphasizing the importance of building a solid foundation of knowledge through help desk positions or working at small computer stores where problem-solving skills are constantly tested. Alan also shares valuable insights about critical thinking, continuous learning, and the reality behind trending technologies like AI and cloud computing. His straightforward assessment of these tools cuts through marketing hype to reveal their true utility. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance to leadership positions, this episode provides a wealth of practical advice and inspiration from someone who’s navigated the ever-changing technology landscape for four decades. Listen to the full episode to learn how Alan’s commitment to quality work and straightforward communication has shaped his successful career in technology. #CareerDownloads #TechLeadership #CyberSecurity #CIOAdvice Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their career and their experiences, to really uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Alan Cunningham. So we’ve crossed paths a couple of times, most recently at a couple of networking events. But when I first met him, he was actually the CIO for the state of Nevada on public sector. Kind of speaking to a couple of contacts that we have in common, they mentioned they had a very interesting story, interesting background, looking at his profile. So me and him have chatted prior to this and I feel like there’s gonna be a lot of good information and a lot of good stories just for people to kind of understand, you know, again, and just find areas that they can find, that you can find that would be beneficial in your own career and help you improve and progress as you manage that. So with that, I will bring on Alan Cunningham. Alan: Good afternoon, how are you? Manuel: Doing very well, thank you for taking the time to come and speak and really just share your experiences. Alan: Yeah, thanks for the invite. It’s always good to try and give back to the community in whichever way we can. Manuel: Definitely. If you could just start by just giving us a brief summary of kind of what your current position is and just some of the roles and responsibilities that you’re in charge of today. Alan: At the moment, I’m working with Cyroot.io You had Asal Gibson on your last show, who is the CEO. I actually worked with her at the contract position at Clark County School District about a year and a half ago. We both got along really well. So when my contract finished with the county, Asal asked if I’d become the CIO.

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode, Manuel Martinez talks with Nidhi Nayak, an Enterprise Support Lead with extensive experience across data warehousing, cloud architecture, and technical leadership. Born and raised in India, Nidhi shares her journey from studying mathematics to becoming an engineer, and how her passion for problem-solving drove her career choices. She walks us through the multi-stage interview process she navigated as a recent graduate in India, including how she prepared months in advance for campus recruitment. Nidhi discusses her progression from an ETL developer to various technical leadership roles, explaining why she chose to broaden her knowledge across multiple technologies rather than specializing deeply in just one area. Her approach paid off as she moved from on-premise systems to cloud architecture, ultimately achieving all 12 AWS certifications. Throughout the conversation, Nidhi offers practical wisdom on: Using certifications strategically to validate knowledge and build confidence Teaching others as a pathway to deepen your own understanding Developing presentation and documentation skills for technical and business audiences Creating effective boundaries and knowing when to say “no” to new responsibilities Setting clear goals with personal deadlines to stay accountable Balancing technical expertise with customer-facing responsibilities This episode provides valuable insights for both early-career professionals looking to map their path forward and experienced practitioners seeking ways to expand their impact beyond technical expertise. Listen to the full episode to hear Nidhi’s thoughtful advice on continuous learning, strategic career planning, and finding opportunities to grow even within comfortable roles. #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #CloudArchitecture #WomenInTech #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalDevelopment #AWSCertifications Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really understand and uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me a coworker. Her name is Nidhi Nayak. So we’re no longer on the same team, but we did spend almost a year together, kind of interacting. I understood the different things that she had kind of had experience in. She was really kind of a lead in the group that I was a part of. She helped kind of guide and direct me in certain areas when I had certain difficulties. I looked at her background, I thought it was pretty interesting. I’ve seen her kind of give internal presentations and I thought she would be a good guest to kind of uncover and learn more about. So with that, go ahead and plug in and download the knowledge and I will introduce Nidhi. So welcome Nidhi. Nidhi: Hey Manny. Manuel: So I really appreciate you coming on and being open to sharing your experiences. Nidhi: Of course, thank you. Thanks for inviting me. Manuel: I know that we’re here in Austin, we’re here for a team gathering. So I mean, I was glad that when I reached out and you were open to kind of talking about this. So if you don’t mind just to start off, just give me a brief summary of kind of tell me what your role or current position is and just a summary of some of your roles and responsibilities so that people understand kind of what you do now. Nidhi: So hey, everyone like, currently I’m the enterprise support lead. So as an enterprise support lead, you are not just only the technical account manager, like you’re handling your customer, but then you are working with the people. So like we are, there is a pool of TAM, the cluster of TAM, whom you are managing. So managing in the sense like mentoring,

Episode Information Show NotesIn this episode, Manuel Martinez interviews Taft Singletary, a Senior Technical Account Manager with three decades of experience in telecommunications and technology. Taft shares his path from growing up in North Philadelphia to becoming a respected cloud professional.Starting with his education at DeVry University and early career at RAM Mobile Data, Taft worked on cutting-edge technology including the first prototypes of BlackBerry devices and Palm Pilots. He details his progression through roles at Cox Communications, Comcast, Scientific Atlanta (now Cisco), and beyond, sharing honest reflections on career transitions and leadership challenges.Throughout the conversation, Taft offers practical career advice: surround yourself with high achievers, build meaningful professional relationships, and take strategic control of your career path. His story highlights how combining technical expertise with people skills creates opportunities in the rapidly changing technology landscape.This episode provides valuable insights for technology professionals at any stage looking to grow their careers and navigate industry evolution successfully.#CareerDownloads #TechCareers #CloudComputing #Telecommunications #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentorshipMatters TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to try and uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me a coworker. His name is Taft Singletary and his background is in communications and telecom. So we did have a brief conversation when we first started working together and he kind of mentioned some of his background, I shared some of mine, and I thought it was a really interesting kind of how he ended up moving in here and some of the experiences and his expertise. So I figured I would bring him on and just really kind of dig in a little bit deeper and share that story with the rest of you. So I will go ahead and introduce Taft. So thanks Taft, I appreciate you coming on and being open and willing to share your experiences.Taft: I appreciate it, man. Thanks for inviting me. My first time on a podcast, but I do appreciate the mission that you’re trying to accomplish and yeah, can’t wait to share. Just my, you know, everything that I’ve done and hopefully it’ll help others. And again, hopefully it’ll just maybe motivate others to maybe look more into tech, follow their passions, things of that nature.Manuel: So if you don’t mind just kind of to start off, just give me a brief summary of kind of what your current role or position is and then just some of the roles and responsibilities of what you are in charge of today.Taft: Yeah, so I’m a senior technical account manager. I have multiple customers and my job is really to just help them maximize their cloud, their complex cloud journey. And they’re all in different phases of their cloud journey. Some are recently starting, some are just well-advanced. And my job is to really help them excel at operational components, their usage, their cost, seeing around corners for them from a security perspective, really just being a technical consultant for them and just making sure that they are maximizing, I’m gonna say their cloud investments. And that’s ultimately what my job is.Manuel: If you can now kind of give us a brief summary of kind of where you grew up and kind of what eventually got you interested in technology, so everybody’s different. Some people early on, some people later in life, but just kind of what sparked that eventual interest and that want to kind of pursue that area.Taft: Yeah, so I grew up in Philadelphia, a very poor section of Philadelphia, North Philadelphia.

Episode Information Show Notes In this powerful episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Asal “Vox” Gibson, CEO and founder of Cyroot and president of Cyroot Academy. Vox shares her extraordinary career path that began as an immigrant who didn’t speak English and worked in exchange for groceries. Vox takes us through her journey of determination and growth: becoming a RadioShack store manager at just 20 years old, transitioning to automotive sales, building a successful career in financial services, and eventually working in defense contracting with top security clearance. Throughout the conversation, Vox reveals the values and mindset that propelled her success: an unwavering work ethic, hunger for knowledge, and willingness to start from scratch in entirely new fields. She explains how each career transition taught her valuable skills that built upon one another, creating a foundation for her current roles leading both a cybersecurity company and a nonprofit providing free education to military personnel. Key moments include: The origin story of her military call sign “Vox” (meaning “voice of the people”) How she overcame language barriers and financial hardships after arriving in America Why critical thinking skills matter more than credentials in technology careers Her approach to screening job candidates for problem-solving abilities How she’s now paying forward the opportunities she received by creating educational programs for transitioning military personnel This conversation offers practical wisdom about career advancement, the importance of being teachable, and finding purpose through helping others succeed. If you’re looking to transform your career or seeking inspiration on overcoming obstacles, this episode delivers actionable insights from someone who’s mastered the art of career reinvention. Listen to the full episode to hear Vox’s complete story and learn how she’s now helping others find their own path to success. Episode release date: April 1, 2025 #CareerDownloads #CareerTransition #TechLeadership #CyberSecurity #VeteransSupport Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their experience and their background to try and uncover any actionable advice that you can uncover as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode I have with me Asal Gibson, also goes by call sign “Vox”. So there’s a, sounds like there’s a pretty interesting story around that so I’m excited to dig into that. So I met Asal at a networking event. I didn’t get much of a chance to kind of interact with her, you know, started to look at her LinkedIn profile, saw a lot of what she was posting, what she was doing. I looked at her background and felt that she would be an amazing guest to kind of bring on and just learn more about kind of what she’s done throughout her career and, you know, anything that she might be able to impart onto others. So she teaches part-time, she’s been a project manager, she also has started a non-profit, she’s, you know, was in the military, still helps out the military. So there’s a number of different ways that this conversation can go and I’m actually really excited because this, I just have the feeling that this is probably going to be a two -part series at some point. So with that I will go ahead and introduce Asal. Hi. Asal: Hi. Manuel: I appreciate you coming on and taking the time to kind of share your story and your experiences. So to kind of get started, normally what I ask people is kind of what your current role is and I know that you have multiple different ones so you can name them all, pick a couple and then just kind of a brief summary of some of the roles and responsibilities just so that people can get an understanding of kind of who “Vox...

Episode Information Show NotesIn Episode 28 of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez interviews Dalien Ahiekpor, Senior Technical Account Manager at AWS, who shares his transformation from tech-curious teenager to cloud professional. Learn how winning a PC at a summer tech camp sparked Dalien’s interest in technology, why he chose computer science despite early struggles with programming, and how he navigated from network engineering to his current role.Dalien reveals the six-month job search that tested his persistence, his unconventional approach to landing his dream position, and the profound impact mentorship had on his career trajectory. He offers practical interview advice for standing out among candidates and emphasizes taking ownership of your career path.Whether you’re looking to break into tech, transition to cloud computing, or find effective mentors, this conversation provides actionable strategies from someone who’s successfully navigated the journey.#CareerDownloads #CloudComputing #AWSCareers #TechMentorship TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn about their background, their experiences, to really uncover any actionable advice that they’ve used to manage their career that you can go ahead and implement and use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me a co-worker. His name is Dalien Ahiekpor and we work together. We looked at his background. He’s very passionate about mentorship and also like early career growth. So I thought he would be a great person to kind of bring on and I won’t dive too much deeper and I’ll let him kind of explain a lot of that for us. So with that, welcome Dalien.Dalien: Hey folks, thanks so much for having me.Manuel: No problem. I appreciate you coming on and, you know, being open to sharing your experiences for others and, you know, you know, helping somebody out who could probably find value in this.Dalien: Absolutely.Manuel: So if you don’t mind to start off, kind of tell me what your current role is and just a brief summary of, you know, what are some of your roles and responsibilities for kind of what you do in that role?Dalien: Sure. So as Manuel alluded to in the beginning of the call, I’m a senior technical account manager at AWS. We’re colleagues. I’ve been working at AWS for a few years now in various roles. As mentioned, most commonly or most recently, the senior technical account manager role are commonly referred to as TAM. As a TAM, we’re really responsible for, we’re seen as the customer advocate on the account team. So we’re an extension of enterprise support where we really quarterback a lot of the operational concerns that a customer might have, any issues they have with services, escalations, helping them understand a strategic initiative for their company and how we can help with that. That’s what we do here at AWS Enterprise Support.Manuel: So now, if you wouldn’t mind kind of telling me a little bit about some of your background and, you know, kind of where you grew up and eventually what kind of led you into, you know, wanting to pursue technology?Dalien: Yeah, absolutely. So I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, Northwest Ohio area, not too far from Detroit, if you’re familiar. Born and raised there. Went to college there as well, University of Toledo. Go Rockets. And I got into tech. That’s a very, that’s a good question as, you know, when I was growing up, one of the most profound conversations I remember having relatively young, probably a freshman in high school. I remember a conversation I had with my father and my parents both graduated. They’re, you know, graduate college graduates. They actually met in college and I was probably around that age, probably, you know, it was expected to go to college coming from the family.

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez interviews Jason Smith, who shares his remarkable journey from a 20-year career as an Air Force jet engine mechanic to becoming a Technical Curriculum Developer at AWS Training and Certification. Jason discusses growing up in a small Ohio town, his initial career working for a sewer rehabilitation company, and the moment that sparked his interest in joining the Air Force. Throughout his military career, Jason gained valuable skills in leadership, communication, and training that would later prove instrumental in his tech transition. Using the military’s SkillsBridge program, Jason secured an apprenticeship with AWS despite having zero prior knowledge of cloud computing. He candidly shares his struggle with imposter syndrome, certification challenges, and how he overcame them through persistence and collaborative learning. Key topics covered: Jason’s 20-year military career progression and the skills he developed How military training and instructor experience translated to curriculum development Navigating the transition from military to civilian tech career Overcoming imposter syndrome when entering an unfamiliar field The value of “getting comfortable being uncomfortable” in career growth Why asking “dumb questions” can accelerate learning and professional development Whether you’re a veteran looking to transition to civilian work, considering a major career pivot, or simply interested in tech career paths, Jason’s story offers valuable insights and practical advice for navigating significant professional changes. #CareerDownloads #VeteranSuccess #TechCareers #AWSCertification #CloudComputing #CareerTransition Transcription Manuel: Welcome, everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their career and really try to uncover any actionable advice and tips that they’ve used as they’ve managed their career so that you can go ahead and use and implement as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Jason Smith. And I met Jason at my current place of employment at AWS, we happen to be working a conference together, kind of started, you know, just getting to know each other and learn a little bit more. And, I felt that he had a very interesting career path where he kind of, you know, fell into technology. And, you know, I’m excited to kind of dig a little bit more into that and have him share, you know, his trajectory and ultimately what landed him into the role that he’s in now. So with that, I’ll introduce Jason Smith. Jason: Thanks, Manny. Manuel: Appreciate you coming on and taking the time to really kind of share your story and your experiences to, you know, hopefully, you know, inspire or be able to help others along the way. Jason: Yeah, glad to be here. I actually feel a little honored that you invited me to do this. So yeah, I appreciate it. Manuel: So kind of what I’ve been doing with the guests is if you just kind of briefly tell me what your current role is, and just a brief summary of kind of what your roles and responsibilities are, and then we’ll kind of take it from there. Jason: Yeah, so currently, I work with AWS Training and Certification. So my role is a Technical Curriculum Developer. And I work primarily on instructor led training. So what that means is any of the courses that you’ve, so there’s, there’s, there’s going to be some courses on like Skill Builder, if you’ve heard of that, AWS Training and Certification has a platform called Skill Builder, and they deliver. So now they deliver digital training. So I believe like AWS JAMs are held on there where you can, it’s kind of a simulation to you try to solve a challenge, you know, that we could do hands on keyboard.

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez interviews Adam Lopez, President of CMIT Solutions Las Vegas, a managed service provider specializing in cybersecurity for small to medium-sized businesses. Adam shares his fascinating career path that began without a formal tech background. Starting as a slot machine technician at Las Vegas casinos, he developed an interest in the databases behind gaming systems. Through curiosity and initiative, Adam built project management skills that propelled him through increasingly senior roles. Episode Highlights: Adam’s early tech experiences, from building circuit boards to a shocking lesson about electricity How he transitioned from hospitality management to technology through casino work The development of his natural project management abilities His career-changing experience working on cruise ships, which took him to all seven continents Navigating transitions between operations and vendor roles in technology Challenges of managing technical teams and handling workplace dynamics Making the leap from corporate roles to business ownership Practical advice on taking strategic risks and recognizing when to make career moves Adam’s journey demonstrates that career growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone—sometimes even taking a step back to ultimately move forward. His story offers valuable insights for technology professionals at any stage of their careers. Whether you’re just starting in technology or looking to advance to leadership roles, Adam’s practical wisdom on building transferable skills, managing teams, and navigating the industry will help you chart your own successful path. Listen to learn how being open to unexpected opportunities and having the courage to take calculated risks can lead to a fulfilling technology career. #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #ProjectManagement #CyberSecurity Transcript Manuel: Welcome everyone. So my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their career and how they’ve managed it over time to really be able to uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode I have with me Adam Lopez and I had met him at a networking event. So this was for SIM, so the Society of Information Managers. We had connected on LinkedIn. I had seen his kind of his career path and found a lot of interest in kind of the trajectory that he had. So I asked him to come on and he more than graciously accepted. So with that I’ll introduce Adam. Adam: Hey thanks for having me, Manuel. Manuel: I appreciate you coming on and kind of sharing your career trajectory. Adam: Absolutely. Manuel: So what I’ve been doing with my guests is if you just kind of give us a brief summary, just kind of tell us what your current position is and kind of some of the roles and responsibilities. Adam: Yeah, sure. So currently I am the president of CMIT Solutions. We are a MSP cybersecurity company. So we predominantly do it in the cybersecurity space, but we also do MSP, which is your help desk for small to medium-sized businesses. Typically our market is small to medium-sized businesses, but we also do government as well, as well as enterprise, you know, just depending on the level. We are a franchise that’s been around since the 80s. Kind of funny story about the franchise. CMIT used to stand for Computer Moms in Informational Technology. So it was a mom that started the business and she used to go around and fix people’s computers. And so when I heard about the story, I love the story. I love the everything about that. And I was like, how do I get involved? So now, you know, now I am the president here in Las Vegas and it’s been great. You know,

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Fernando Reyes to discuss his remarkable journey from church multimedia volunteer to Systems Technician II at Clark County. Fernando shares how his technology journey began with a Windows 95 computer his father brought home, which sparked an interest that would later flourish when he volunteered at his church’s multimedia ministry. What started as helping with video recording evolved into a full-time position where he spent 11 years developing skills in production, IT support, and technical troubleshooting. Throughout the conversation, Fernando reveals how he strategically navigated career transitions with a clear end goal in mind: working for Clark County. Despite having no formal IT education or certifications, he built his technical expertise through hands-on experience, YouTube tutorials, and guidance from mentors who recognized his potential. Listeners will gain valuable insights on: Building technical skills without formal education Setting concrete career goals and working systematically toward them Finding and learning from mentors who can accelerate your professional growth Balancing family responsibilities while pursuing career advancement Developing communication skills to effectively present technical solutions to leadership Fernando also discusses the importance of character, loyalty, and commitment in building a successful technical career, as well as his future goals to develop his own business while continuing his work with the county. Whether you’re starting your IT career or looking to make a strategic career move, this episode offers practical advice on career planning and professional growth that you can apply to your own journey. #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #ITJobs Transcript Manuel: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their experience, and really how they manage their career over time to be able to kind of pull out any actionable advice that you can go ahead and use as you’re managing your own career. So for today, I have with me Fernando Reyes and we’re going to talk about his career journey, which I think is pretty interesting. We’ve had some conversations before and he really had a goal in mind, like an end goal, and he just consistently worked to being able to get there. So he didn’t know what was going to happen in between, but again, he was okay with kind of being able to move back and forth and really adjust over time. So I think it will be a good experience and a good story for everybody to kind of listen to. So with that, go ahead and plug in and download the knowledge and I will introduce Fernando. Fernando: Thank you, Manuel. Thank you for having me. Manuel: Of course, no problem. Glad you were able to come make it and kind of share your background. Fernando: Yeah, of course, of course. Thank you. Well, like you said, you know, it’s been a couple of years with career in mind and goals in mind. As you know, as we get older, we start thinking, hey, what do I really want to be at? So about, you know, five, six years ago, I decided to have a goal in mind. I saw a position I liked and now I have that position, but it was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Manuel: Yeah, it’s usually, it ends up that way. Fernando: Right, right. Manuel: So if you wouldn’t mind, just kind of, everybody can get an understanding of who you are. So if you just don’t mind telling us what your current position is and it’s just a summary of, you know, what your roles and responsibilities are. Fernando: Sure. So I am a Systems Technician II. That’s the formal position. I’m a glorified desktop technician, basically giving support to end users with, you know,

Episode Information Show Notes Career Downloads Episode 24: James McDuffie In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez welcomes James McDuffie, Senior Technical Account Manager at AWS, for an insightful discussion about building a successful career in technology. James shares his unique journey that began at age 8, running network cables through Silicon Valley office buildings for his father’s ISP business. Key Discussion Points: James’s early exposure to technology through his father’s business Building his first computer and developing a passion for tech The transition from college to his first professional role at GE Spending 17 years at GE and growing from software engineer to technical leader Moving to AWS and adapting to a new technology landscape The importance of mentorship in career development Understanding when to seek new mentors as your career evolves Balancing technical expertise with business acumen The value of admitting what you don’t know Notable Quotes: “I come to work to solve really cool engineering problems.” – James McDuffie “The opportunities are broader than you think.” – James McDuffie Guest Bio: James McDuffie serves as a Senior Technical Account Manager at AWS, where he helps enterprise customers optimize their cloud deployments. Prior to AWS, he spent 17 years at GE, progressing from software engineer to principal architect. His passion for technology began in childhood, leading to a career marked by continuous learning and growth. Follow us on all the social media platforms. Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcduffie/ Connect with Manuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelmartinez-it/ #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #AWS #SoftwareEngineering #TechnicalLeadership Transcript Manuel: Welcome everyone, so my name is Manu el Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their career, their background, and their experience, to learn how they manage their career over time, with the ultimate goal to really be able to uncover actionable advice for you to go ahead and be able to use as you manage your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me James McDuffie, so he and I currently work together, we’ve had conversations in the past, similiar to what the one we’re about to have today, and I’m very excited because he has had a very unique and interesting career. I like a lot of the things that he’s done, the way he approaches learning and kind of his career trajectory, so again, plug in and download the knowledge. So thanks James, I appreciate you coming in. James: Yeah, happy to be here. You know, we’re down here for re:Invent and might as well make it a double trip. Manuel: Right, take advantage of the time here. James: Exactly. Manuel: If you don’t mind kind of just telling me what your current roles and responsibilities are, and just kind of a summary of what that is, and then eventually we’ll work our way up to that place. Sure, so my current role is a Senior Technical Account Manager for Amazon Web Services, like yourself, and a part of that role is just helping some of our largest enterprise support customers in their deployments on the cloud. So I like to think of it as TAMs are kind of unique in my opinion on the AWS side because we’re less of just someone that’s there to help manage support cases and much more there to be operational architects on the existing infrastructure that you have.

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Pradeep Pulipati, founder and CEO of Tropoleap, a cloud AI and cybersecurity company. Pradeep shares his remarkable journey from discovering ham radio in ninth grade to becoming a technology leader and entrepreneur. Key Discussion Points: Pradeep’s introduction to technology through ham radio and how it sparked his passion for wireless communication His educational path through electronics engineering and the transition to virtualization technology Experience as an early VMware expert when virtualization was still a novel concept Leadership philosophy developed through managing multiple engineering teams The importance of encouraging continuous learning and skill development in tech team Why solving business problems should be the focus of technology implementation His “T.O.P.” framework: aligning Talent, Organizational needs, and Passion The significance of transparency in leadership and team management Journey to entrepreneurship and founding Tropoleap Insights on career development and professional growth in technology Notable Quotes: “Their resume should always be up to date, as in not just updating the dates, but updating your skillset. Because you could very well be an administrator of something for 10 years, you wake up one day, and the technology might not exist that day.” “Art of the possible and fail fast, recover fast – those are the two cornerstones for how I go about my life today.” Connect with Pradeep: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeeppulipati/ Connect with Career Downloads: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #Leadership #CloudComputing #AITechnology Transcript Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their career, and just the different things that they’ve done to kind of navigate their career over time to really be able to pull out actionable advice for you to go through and use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Pradeep Pulapati and he has a very interesting background. We have crossed paths through a VMware User Group. I’ve kind of seen some of the different areas that he’s been involved with and, you know, we’ll get into kind of what he’s doing now. He’s ventured on into his own business. So I think these are all things that are really interesting and, you know, will be valuable to people. So with that, I’ll introduce Pradeep. So hey Pradeep. Pradeep: Hey, hey Manny. Manuel: Appreciate you coming on. Pradeep: Yeah, thanks for having me. Manuel: Of course. And really, so what I’ve been doing with all of my guests is if you can just to start off, give us your current role and some of the, you know, just a summary of the responsibilities and then eventually we’ll kind of lead into how you got there. Pradeep: Yeah, absolutely. I’m founder and CEO at Tropoleap. We are a cloud AI and cybersecurity company. It’s been about close to 18 months since I started this company and have been working in the gaming industry, have been helping clients outside of the gaming industry, both in healthcare, financial services, so on and so forth. Manuel: So now let’s kind of go back and we’ll kind of lead into what eventually led you to kind of, you know, opening your own business, but really give me an understanding of kind of some of your background,

Episode Information Show Notes Career Downloads Episode 022: Jay Jackson Takes Us Through His Journey from Entry-Level Tech to Project Management Success In this episode, host Manuel Martinez welcomes Jay Jackson, a dynamic figure in the tech industry whose career spans sales, project management, consulting, and education. Jay opens up about his fascinating path that began at CompUSA and evolved into a successful career in project management and consulting. Jay shares how his early experience in video games shaped his approach to problem-solving and business challenges. He explains his innovative RAKSE framework for building a professional brand: Reputation: The foundation of career success Ability: Understanding and leveraging natural talents Knowledge: The role of formal education and continuous learning Skills: Transforming knowledge into practical capabilities Experience: Building a track record of successful implementations Key Discussion Points: Converting an entry-level cashier position into a springboard for tech career growth The natural progression from sales excellence to project management expertise Balancing teaching with consulting to stay current in technology Building and maintaining professional networks through authentic curiosity Real-world project management successes and lessons learned Listeners will gain valuable insights into: How to navigate career transitions effectively The importance of building and maintaining a professional reputation Strategies for continuous learning and skill development Practical approaches to project management The value of authentic networking and relationship building Connect with Jay Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjackson2/ Connect with Manuel Martinez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelmartinez-it/ Follow Career Downloads: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #ProjectManagement #ProfessionalDevelopment Transcript Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their career. To understand how they navigated it, different lessons that they’ve learned to really try and pull out actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So, for today’s episode, I have with me Jay Jackson. So we have crossed paths on two different occasions. He has a very interesting background. He has done a number of things, different areas that we’ll touch on as we kind of go through the conversation. And I’ll let him explain that, kind of his ideas on professional branding, the different and things that he’s done, how he’s kind of navigated through different career choices and different roles. So with that, I’ll introduce Jay Jackson. Jay: Hey, Manny. Manuel: How you doing? Jay: Good to see you. Manuel: Good seeing you. Jay: Beautiful house here, Manny. Manuel: Thanks. Jay: I like the setup. Manuel: Took a little bit of work to kind of put it together, but I think overall it’s starting to look semi-professional. Jay: Starting to, right? Yeah I like it. Manuel: So what I’ve been doing with the guests is if you can just kind of start off, just give us your current role or position and then just kind of a summary of some of the responsibilities and things that you kind of do in those roles. Jay: So I’ve got a lot going on. So, you know, cut me off if I’m going the wrong direction. But right now I teach at a local college,

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Cynthia Hara, a successful cybersecurity sales executive, who shares her fascinating journey from aspiring fashion designer to thriving tech sales leader. Growing up in Silicon Valley with an engineer father, Cynthia initially planned a career in fashion design. A pivotal moment at a career fair changed her trajectory, leading her to discover opportunities in technology and sales. She openly shares how she turned what could have been seen as a disadvantage – being one of few women in her information systems classes – into a strategic career advantage. Cynthia provides practical insights on: Starting in tech sales with no prior experience Making the transition from cold calling to enterprise sales Building and maintaining professional relationships Negotiating salaries and benefits effectively Creating valuable business networks Establishing yourself as a trusted advisor Starting a non-profit to support women in tech A particularly valuable segment covers her approach to mentorship and coaching, explaining the crucial differences between the two and how to leverage both for career growth. Cynthia also discusses how she built her professional brand and shares strategies for standing out in a competitive field. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in tech sales, career transitions, or professional development. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance to the next level, Cynthia’s experiences and advice provide actionable insights you can implement today. Follow Career Downloads: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Connect with our host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelmartinez-it/ Connect with our guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiahara/ #CareerDownloads #TechSales #CareerAdvice #WomenInTech #ProfessionalDevelopment Transcript Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their experience, and just the different ways that they’ve managed their career, to really be able to pull out those actionable items for you that you can go ahead and implement as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Cynthia Hara and we met a few years ago. She is on the technology sales side and she’s done a lot of interesting side projects. There’s a lot of speaking that she’s done, so I think she brings a wealth of experience. Not everybody wants to do the hands-on keyboard, but she still is involved in technology, understands a lot of that and some of the business problems, so I think there’s a lot of good information that she’s going to provide to everybody. So with that, go ahead and plug in and download the knowledge and I will introduce Cynthia. Cynthia: Awesome, thank you so much for having me. Manuel: I appreciate you coming on. It’s definitely something that I think is of interest, so I’ve, you know, I think around the time that we met, I was also on the sales side, but I was on the sales engineer and, you know, you’re more on the account manager side, but definitely I think that you’re going to provide a lot of good information just in the conversations we’ve had, you know, indirectly and on our own. Cynthia: Awesome, well thank you. Manuel: So just to kind of, what I’ve been doing with everybody is if you just briefly tell me kind of what your current role is and some ...

Episode Information Show NotesFrom Project Manager to Tech Executive: Building a 20-Year Career Through Relationships & Change with Sheila Brewer-Richardson, Senior Director of Software Engineering at Fidelity National FinancialIn this compelling episode, Sheila Brewer-Richardson shares her inspiring 20+ year journey from project management to senior technology leadership. Her story illustrates how adaptability, continuous learning, and strong professional relationships can shape a successful career in tech.Sheila leads the software engineering teams at Fidelity National Financial, where she oversees both onshore and offshore development groups for their home warranty and disclosure source divisions. Her career path includes roles at major companies like Pacific Bell, Wells Fargo, and Allegiant Airlines, where she consistently drove innovation and built high-performing teams.During our conversation, Sheila opens up about:Her unconventional entry into technology through project managementTransitioning between different company cultures – from utilities to airlinesThe challenges and rewards of building global teamsCreating innovative employee development programsBalancing family life with career growthThe importance of finding and being a mentorHer brief but insightful career detour as a cardiac monitor technicianSheila’s leadership philosophy emphasizes open communication, continuous improvement, and the importance of helping others grow. Her journey demonstrates that success in technology comes not just from technical expertise, but from understanding people, processes, and having the courage to embrace new challenges.Connect with Sheila:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-brewer-richardson-a7b6127/About Career Downloads:Career Downloads features in-depth conversations with technology professionals who share their career journeys, challenges, and lessons learned. Host Manuel Martinez explores their stories to help listeners navigate their own paths in the tech industry.Connect with us:Website: https://careerdownloads.comYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads?sub_confirmation=1X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloadsTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloadsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloadsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloadsFaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249#CareerDownloads #TechCareers #WomenInTech #SoftwareEngineering TranscriptionManuel: Welcome, everybody. My name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their experiences, their backgrounds, and the way that they have managed their career over time with the ultimate goal to really be able to uncover any techniques, tips that they have encountered along the way that might be beneficial for you to go ahead and be able to implement yourself. So for today’s episode, I have with me Sheila Brewer Richardson, and her and I have worked together in the past for a little while, and she has kind of moved on. I followed her career over time and just seen the way that she has kind of managed her career and ascended over time. So I’m really excited to learn more about her career in general and the things that she’s done prior to us meeting and even afterwards. So with that, go ahead and plug in and download the knowledge. So hi, Sheila.Sheila: Hi, Manny. Thanks for having me.Manuel: Of course. I appreciate you coming on. So what I’ve been doing with everybody is just to kind of start, if you can just tell me what your current title or role is where you’re at now, and just a brief summary of kind of what your roles and responsibilities are.Sheila: So currently I am the Senior Director of Software Engineering for Fidelity National Financial. We have an IT team. The teams I have are both onshore and offshore.

Episode Information Show Notes In this engaging episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Darius Roberts, CEO of UpliftSolar, to explore the fascinating intersection of software development, entrepreneurship, and solar technology innovation. About Our Guest: Darius Roberts leads multiple ventures in the solar technology space, including UpliftSolar.com, which is developing innovative solutions to expand solar panel accessibility. He also runs the Las Vegas Robotics Meetup (lvrobotics.org), bringing together industry leaders and local innovators in the robotics field. Episode Highlights: Early career insights and the value of taking calculated risks in your twenties How an unconventional aptitude test shaped crucial career decisions Transitioning from developer to technical lead to entrepreneur The story behind his early car-sharing startup (a precursor to modern services) Why Las Vegas is becoming an epicenter for robotics innovation The growing importance of AI literacy in tech careers Building and managing technical teams effectively Navigating the challenges of hardware vs. software startups Finding and working with the right mentors Key Takeaways: Understanding your strengths and working style is crucial for career success The value of being geographically flexible early in your career How to approach problem-solving across different industries The importance of balancing technical skills with business acumen Connect with Darius: UpliftSolar: [website] Las Vegas Robotics Meetup: lvrobotics.org #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #StartupLife #SolarTechnology #Innovation Follow Career Downloads: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Join us next week for another insightful conversation about navigating the evolving world of technology careers. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their career, different ways that they’ve managed it, how they’ve moved around, what ultimately led them to take different decisions with the ultimate goal to really help you understand and learn from others so that you can pick up different techniques and tips to manage your own career along the way. So with that for today’s episode, I have with me Darius Roberts and he is an entrepreneur, so he started his own business, but he also has kind of started one early on in his career. He’s also been a developer, he’s moved up into development lead roles. So with that, I’d like to welcome Darius. Darius: Thank you, Manny. Manuel: No problem. Thanks for coming along. I appreciate you coming on to kind of share some of your expertise and even just your experiences along the way. Darius: I’m excited to share my thoughts on how to know yourself, AI and ergonomics. Manuel: Awesome. And with that, what I’d like to do is if you could just do just a quick summary of kind of what your role is now and kind of some of those responsibilities and then we’ll kind of work backwards up to that point. Darius: Great. I’m in two different companies. One is my technology company, so I’m the CEO. It’s a new technology that will enable solar panels to be in more places. And that’s a subject for a whole different podcast, but UpliftSolar.com is our website and we are currently trying to put some pilot projects together. Separately, we have a more traditional looking solar company where we put solar panels on roofs. But from a technology standpoint,

Episode Information Show Notes In this inspiring episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Fahimeh Camero, whose remarkable journey showcases the power of determination and continuous learning in building a successful technology career. From managing her father’s engineering company in Iran at age 16 to implementing critical privacy compliance programs in America, Fahimeh shares her unique path into technology leadership. Her story demonstrates that with passion and persistence, no career obstacle is insurmountable. In this episode, you’ll learn: How early exposure to engineering through her father’s company shaped her problem-solving mindset Strategies for navigating career transitions across cultures and countries The importance of taking initiative and making impact, regardless of your position How to build confidence in technical roles, especially as a woman in tech Tips for balancing career growth with single parenthood The value of continuous learning and going beyond job descriptions Why understanding technical details matters in leadership positions Insights on overcoming language barriers and cultural challenges in corporate America Whether you’re considering a career change, facing professional challenges, or looking to advance in technology leadership, Fahimeh’s experience offers valuable lessons for technology professionals at all levels. Guest Background: Fahimeh Camero has worked across various technology roles, from desktop support to privacy compliance leadership. Her unique perspective combines technical expertise with business acumen, demonstrating how diverse experiences can create stronger technology leaders. Connect with Fahimeh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahimeh-camero-b98844100/ #CareerDownloads #WomenInTech #TechCareers #CareerGrowth #TechnologyJobs #ProfessionalDevelopment New episodes released every Tuesday. Subscribe to never miss an episode! Transcription Manuel: Welcome everybody, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their experience and just the different ways that they manage their career with the goal to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can go through and apply as you’re managing your own career. And for today’s episode I have with me Fajime Kamero and we’ve worked together in the past. We’ve remained friends throughout the years and I think she has a very interesting background. She’s done a number of different things so with that I’ll go ahead and introduce her. Hello. Fahimeh: Hi. Manuel: I appreciate you coming on. I know it seems you know a little overwhelming at first just kind of sitting in. Fahimeh: Thank you for having me. Manuel: I’m glad you came. So what I’ve kind of been starting is if you can just kind of tell me about where you kind of grew up a little bit about your background and then eventually what got you interested into technology. You know was it early on as a little kid? Was it not until you were later on you know high school and beyond? Fahimeh: Ah okay. I came from Iran, Tehran. I grew up with my dad was an engineer and he had a company when I was growing up. From when I was five six years old I go to his company and he had all this mechanical machine and you know I learned to work with some of them as a very young girl and it wasn’t very natural to do that in my country as a girl going to you know engineering company and work. Not working I was playing with it and my dad very he’s a very smart guy. He did a lot of different things for you know different company in Europe in Iran and he was very open to teach me. By I think I was 13 14 years old like you know I was very familiar with all that you know mechanical machine and how that work. He was wanting I be an engineer and then I was going to be a doctor but none of them...

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Rob McAbee, Solutions Architect at VMware by Broadcom, for an insightful discussion about navigating technology career transitions and growth. Show Notes: Rob shares his professional journey, starting with his military service in IT automation and networking from 2000-2004. He discusses his transition into civilian tech roles in the casino industry, where he progressed from PC technician to network architecture and management positions. Key Discussion Points: Military experience in network engineering and deployment Navigating promotions and salary negotiations in the casino industry The role of mentorship in career development Transitioning from technical roles to solution sales Three guiding principles for professional satisfaction Building confidence and adapting to organizational changes Resources Mentioned: VMware Network Security Business Unit Book: “Personality Isn’t Permanent” by Benjamin Hardy Connect with Rob McAbee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmac1813/ Connect with Manuel Martinez: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelmartinez-it/ Connect with the Show: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Don’t forget to subscribe to Career Downloads on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated on new episodes featuring technology leaders and their career journeys. #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #VMware #CyberSecurity #CareerAdvice #TechnologyJobs #CareerGrowth #NetworkEngineering #CloudComputing #TechTransition TranscriptionLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Karen Ahern, Professor and Networking Program Director at the College of Southern Nevada, who shares her inspiring journey through the technology industry. From her unexpected start as a computer lab assistant to becoming a Senior Director of Technology Services, and ultimately finding her calling in education, Karen’s story demonstrates how being open to opportunities can lead to a fulfilling career in technology. Guest: Karen Ahern Current Role: Professor, Computing and Information Technology Department, College of Southern Nevada Focus Areas: Networking, Cloud Systems Administration, Infrastructure, and Systems Administration Episode Highlights: How a chance conversation led Karen into technology without any prior tech background The importance of being willing to take on tasks others avoid Transitioning from technical roles to leadership positions Managing imposter syndrome while advancing in career The value of emotional intelligence in technology careers Why lateral career moves can lead to unexpected growth Securing and managing National Science Foundation grants The transition from corporate IT to education Key Insights: Finding and leveraging mentorship opportunities Building confidence through continuous learning Balancing technical expertise with people skills Managing teams and expectations in IT leadership Creating opportunities through networking The importance of being uncomfortable for growth Career Advice Highlights: Be open to tasks others avoid – it can lead to specialization Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back from opportunities Sometimes a pay cut for the right opportunity can lead to greater rewards Network consistently, even when comfortable in your current role Consider lateral moves for skill development Be patient with yourself and others while learning Resources Mentioned: CompTIA A+ Certification Management Information Systems degree programs Society of Information Managers National Science Foundation grants Connect with Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-ahern-88805523/ Follow Career Downloads: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #WomenInTech #TechnologyLeadership #CareerDevelopment #ITEducation #TechMentorship #CloudComputing #HigherEducation #CareerAdvice Transcription Manuel: Welcome everybody, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where basically each episode I hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their experience, their background and really how they manage their career over time with the goal to really help you understand and pick up different techniques that you can use to be able to manage your own career. So for today’s episode I have with me Karen Ahern. So Karen we have worked together in the past and even currently so she used to be one of my directors when I worked for higher education and then eventually she moved into a teaching role where she became a program director and then kind of brought me on to be a part-time faculty instructor. So with that let’s welcome Karen. Karen: Thanks for having me. Manuel: No thanks, thanks for coming on and when I was kind of looking at your background so I know that you’ve spent basically your entire career within higher education but within that you’ve done a number of different positions, you’ve kind of moved around a little bit and one of the things that was really interesting to ...

Episode Information Show Notes In this enlightening episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Liz DelSignore, who shares her remarkable journey from owning a digital marketing agency to becoming a successful MSP technician. Liz’s story is a masterclass in career transition, networking, and the power of continuous learning. About Our Guest: Liz DelSignore is an IT professional who made a bold career change at age 27. Starting her professional life as a self-employed digital marketing agency owner, she later transitioned into IT through an unconventional path, landing her first role through a Facebook group. Now working as an MSP technician, she combines her technical skills with strong communication abilities to serve clients from housekeepers to CEOs. Key Discussion Points: The catalyst for changing careers from marketing to IT How Toastmasters transformed her networking abilities Managing career transition as a neurodivergent professional The importance of documentation in technical roles Strategies for interviewing and asking the right questions Balancing technical skills with people skills The value of hands-on experience in IT Future career aspirations in DevOps and automation Valuable Insights: Why building a professional network is crucial for career growth How to prevent burnout through work-life balance Strategies for effective workplace communication Tips for researching potential employers and interviewers The importance of continuous learning in technology Career Advice Highlights: Research your interviewers on LinkedIn before meetings Ask culture-focused questions during interviews Don’t be afraid to make career changes when necessary Build relationships without expecting immediate returns Document everything to create lasting value #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #ITCareer #CareerTransition #WomenInTech Resources Mentioned: Toastmasters International CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, Security+) Connect with Liz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-delsignore/ Follow Career Downloads: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Don’t forget to subscribe to Career Downloads wherever you get your podcasts to stay updated on more inspiring career stories and practical advice for your technology career journey. Transcription

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez welcomes James Oravec, a Senior Manager for Software Engineering, who shares his inspiring journey through the tech industry. From his early days in tech support to building a successful e-commerce venture and eventually leading software engineering teams, James offers a wealth of insights for anyone navigating their career in technology. Key topics discussed: James’s introduction to technology and his first job in tech support The creation and growth of War Toys, James’s e-commerce business Innovative warehouse optimization techniques developed for e-commerce operations Transitioning from entrepreneurship to corporate software engineering roles The patent development process at IBM and the value of continuous learning Recent experiences with job searching in the current tech market James shares valuable lessons on perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of pursuing your passions in the tech industry. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance to leadership roles, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you succeed in the ever-evolving world of technology. Tune in to learn how James turned a $15/hour side hustle into a thriving business, developed creative solutions for e-commerce operations, and navigated the challenges of job searching in today’s competitive market. This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you take control of your tech career and achieve your professional goals. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone. So this is Career Downloads and my name is Manuel Martinez, where every episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a new guest to understand more about their career. So we’ll dive into their background and try to uncover any actionable items for you and really try to understand what the different guests have used, you know, different techniques, tips that they’ve used to manage their career. And for today’s episode, I have with me James Oravec and we’re going to dig into his background. So this is something that’s of interest to me. So he is on the software side. So software engineer, software developer, I spent most of my time on the infrastructure side. So I know a lot of infrastructure people, networking, storage, things of that nature. So again, I’m really excited and interested to get to know a little bit more about James. So welcome James. James: Thank you. Thanks for having me. Manuel: No, I appreciate you coming on. So one of the first things that I want to do is if you can just, and again, we don’t have to get into detail at this point, but if you can just tell me what your current role is now and just like a brief summary of what it is that you do, and then we’ll work our way, you know, to that point. James: Sure. So currently, I am a Senior Manager for Software Engineering, oversee a team of developers, overseeing a number of products, which we have to go through the normal release process cycles. And that’s everything from coding new features to fixing defects to security patches. And then outside of that, main goal is to wow our customers and give them something delightful to use. Manuel: That’s awesome. So now the next part that I want to get into is if you can just kind of give me a little bit of background about kind of where you grew up and eventually what got you interested into technology, like have you always had a passion for it? Again, we don’t have to go into detail, but just like a summary, you know, were you that kind of kid that, you know, had a computer at the age of five and that drove you or, you know, was it later on in life? James: Its’s an interesting question because there’s just so much that has transpired in maybe different directions I could have gone. So I’ll even go back to as far back as I remember. When I was a kid, like elementary school,

Episode Information Show Notes In this engaging episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Carlos Matal, a seasoned QA Lead who shares his inspiring journey from El Salvador to becoming a key player in Las Vegas’s tech scene. Episode Highlights: Carlos’s unique path from electrical engineering in El Salvador to software QA in the US Overcoming language barriers and cultural differences in the American tech industry The art of job hunting and standing out in a competitive market Transitioning from manual testing to automation and becoming a QA Lead Balancing career growth with family responsibilities The importance of soft skills and adaptability in tech careers Insights into the world of Quality Assurance and its role in software development Tips for breaking into the tech industry without prior experience Key Takeaways: Persistence pays off: Carlos’s story of repeatedly applying and improving his skills is a testament to the power of determination. Continuous learning is crucial: From learning English to mastering new technologies, Carlos emphasizes the importance of always expanding your skillset. Cultural intelligence matters: Carlos shares valuable insights on navigating cultural differences in corporate America. QA is more than just testing: Discover the difference between being a tester and a quality assurance engineer. Work-life balance in tech: Learn how Carlos manages his career while prioritizing family. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast looking to break into the industry or a seasoned professional seeking inspiration, Carlos’s journey offers valuable lessons and insights for anyone looking to advance their career in technology. Tune in to this episode of Career Downloads for an honest, engaging, and informative conversation about the realities of building a successful tech career from the ground up. Transcription Manuel: Hi everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their background, their job history and really try to uncover any techniques or tips that they’ve picked up along the way as far as how they’ve managed their career. So with me today I have Carlos Matal. So welcome Carlos. Carlos: Thank you. Manuel: And, if you can just real quick just tell me where you’re at now, like you know you can tell me your employer not tell me, but basically tell me what is your current role and just a quick summary we’ll get to it eventually but just so that people can now understand where you are currently at, give me your role and what you do there. Carlos: So right now I’m working with the small gaming company, casino gaming company, since we’re in Las Vegas right, it’s the technology that you know like the industry that is kind of like the biggest industry in town. I work for this company and it’s my role is QA lead. I’ve been doing QA for a long time, it’s software QA because we also do manufacturing but it’s you know my role is more like it’s software versus hardware because we also have hardware guys but it’s separate. So I do software automation and I’m a lead but the company is pretty small, we don’t have more than I would say less than 10 engineers. So I only lead one person and a couple of interns in a couple of projects, not really I’m not really like a manager or a supervisor, I just kind of like decide what we’re doing when it comes to testing. Manuel: Got it, okay and what I’ve been doing all with all my guests now, so now we kind of know where you’re at now, we’re going to go back and if you just can give me a, again share as much or as little as you want but just give me a summary of kind of where you kind of grew up and then what eventually got you interested into technology. Carlos: So I’m from El Salvador, I was born and raised over there and I was studying ...

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Maureen Peterson, a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS, to explore her fascinating journey from advertising in Brazil to tech project management in the US. Maureen’s story is a testament to the power of continuous learning, adaptability, and perseverance. She shares her experiences transitioning from marketing to technology, working in various industries including casinos, and ultimately landing a role at one of the world’s leading tech companies. Key takeaways from this episode: How to successfully pivot from marketing to tech project management Strategies for navigating major career changes across industries and countries Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome in the tech world Insights on preparing for and acing interviews at top tech companies The importance of continuous skill development and stepping out of your comfort zone Whether you’re in tech, marketing, or considering a career pivot, Maureen’s journey offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to advance their career. Listen in as Maureen shares her experiences implementing digital analytics, managing large-scale projects, and adapting to new challenges as a non-native English speaker in the tech industry. Her story is not just about career progression, but also about personal growth and the courage to pursue new opportunities. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that proves with determination and the right mindset, you can successfully navigate significant career transitions and thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Subscribe to Career Downloads for more episodes featuring industry professionals sharing their career wisdom and practical advice for professional growth. Episode Length: 1:39:08 Release Date: October 1, 2024 Follow us on social media: X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please reach out to us. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everybody. So my name is Manuel Martinez and this is Career Downloads, where basically each episode I hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences and really help pull out any techniques that they’ve used to manage their career that could be helpful to anybody watching or listening. So for this episode I have with me Maureen Peterson and she is a project manager. So she has a lot of experience in that realm and I think it’s very interesting because she has some certifications, some knowledge in areas that have really been of interest to me. So hopefully you enjoy the conversation and with that welcome Maureen. Maureen: Thank you for having me today. Manuel: Of course. Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to come in and talk to me and tell a little bit more about your career. So I want to know now, so I know I’m going to skip ahead a little bit, but just in your current role, what is your current role now and what are you doing there? Maureen: So right now I work for AWS, I’m a Customer Solutions Manager. So we are business and technical program managers. We are in charge of helping very large customers to navigate their migration from data center to the cloud using cloud technologies. And then there are some customers ahead of the cloud and the others. They are using database systems, they are using analytics systems, they might be using storage systems. So what we do in my team, we help our customers to make sure that they are getting the best out of their cloud journey by anywhere from helping them to start a project from scratch,

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, we’re joined by Oscar Diaz, a seasoned tech professional who takes us through the second half of his career journey. Oscar shares his experiences transitioning from government IT roles to becoming a Technical Account Manager, offering valuable insights for both newcomers and veterans in the tech industry. Key discussion points include: The transition from technical roles to management and back again The value of certifications and effective study techniques Balancing technical expertise with essential soft skills The critical importance of continuous learning in IT Strategies for explaining complex tech concepts to non-technical stakeholders Tips for career growth and finding your niche in the ever-evolving tech landscape Oscar’s story is a testament to the diverse opportunities within the tech world. He emphasizes that it’s never too late to enter the field or pivot your career, as long as you’re passionate and willing to learn. His journey showcases how skills from various IT roles can culminate in positions like Technical Account Management, where understanding both the technical and business sides is crucial. Whether you’re considering a career in tech, looking to advance in your current IT role, or curious about the day-to-day of a Technical Account Manager, this episode provides practical advice and real-world insights. Oscar’s experiences highlight the interconnectedness of technology across industries and the importance of adaptability in building a successful tech career. Tune in to hear Oscar’s perspective on the challenges and rewards of working in tech, and gain valuable advice for navigating your own career path in this dynamic field. 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts on this episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content! Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 #CareerAdvice #TechCareers #ITJobs #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerGrowth #TechnicalAccountManager #Virtualization #VMware #LasVegasTech #GovernmentIT #CareerDownloads Transcription Manuel: And I know we’ve talked a little bit about certifications in the past and kind of what are your thoughts towards them. So obviously I know that they are beneficial, but what’s the benefit that you see? Is it having that on your resume to try and get another role? Is it, you know, I’ve talked to different people and again, everybody has a slightly different idea of what the benefit is to you. So is it having something to put, you know, a couple of letters to put on your resume? Is it going through and forcing yourself to learn, you know, that technology? Sure, you can learn it hands-on, but I think with the certifications, it’s a very almost a prescriptive way. Like you have to know this material. So what are your thoughts on certifications, I guess in general? Oscar: It’s a double-edged sword with certifications, right? Some people think, oh, I just go get this cert and I’m an expert. The certification doesn’t say that, right? It just certifies that you know this portion of it or this much of this topic. And you know, I’ve worked with some people who are just go take the cert, but then know nothing of that product or just leave it alone afterwards. I think there’s still a lot of benefit to it because as you’re studying for the certification, whether you like it or not, you’re learning these things, right? Even if you’re just reading the same thing over and over, it’s going to stick in your head what these things are. So I always recommend go ahead and take the cert.

Episode Information Show Notes In this engaging episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Oscar Diaz, a seasoned tech professional with a unique career path. Oscar’s journey in the world of IT is both inspiring and informative, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to build a successful career in technology. Episode Highlights: Early Beginnings: Oscar shares his story of emigrating from El Salvador to the United States as a child, eventually settling in Las Vegas. Discovering IT: Learn how a fortunate accident led Oscar to discover his passion for information technology during his college years. First Tech Job: Oscar recounts landing his first IT position and the crucial lessons he learned about adaptability and continuous learning. Casino IT: Dive into Oscar’s experiences working in the fast-paced environment of Las Vegas casinos, where downtime is not an option. Networking Tips: Discover the importance of building professional relationships and leaving positive impressions throughout your career. Government Sector Transition: Oscar explains his move to a government IT role, highlighting the benefits of job security and work-life balance. Embracing New Tech: Hear how Oscar’s willingness to tackle emerging technologies like virtualization opened up new career opportunities. Throughout the episode, Oscar provides practical advice on seizing opportunities, staying curious, and adapting to new challenges in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Whether you’re just starting your IT career or looking to take it to the next level, this episode of Career Downloads offers valuable insights and inspiration. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Oscar’s experiences and gain actionable tips for your own career growth in the technology sector! 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts on this episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content! Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 #CareerAdvice #TechCareers #ITJobs #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerGrowth #NetworkingTips #Virtualization #VMware #LasVegasTech #GovernmentIT #CareerDownloads Transcription Manuel: Welcome everybody to another episode of Career Downloads. My name is Manuel Martinez, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their job history, and really uncover any different tips and tricks that they’ve used along their way to kind of manage their career so that you can find value out of this. So for today’s episode, I have with me a friend of mine that we’ve worked together. We’ve gone to college together. His name is Oscar Diaz. And we’re going to learn a little bit more about his background. And we’ve had similar experiences. We’ve been at similar roles. We’ve worked at the same places a couple of times. So really getting to know it and understand it from a different perspective I think will be beneficial to everybody because even if you’re working at the same place in the same role, your experiences are not always going to be the same. So with that, plug in and download the knowledge and let’s welcome Oscar. Oscar: Thank you. Yeah, it’s going good. Thanks for having me, man. Manuel: Of course. So to start off, I kind of mentioned that we went to school together. We’ve worked together a couple of different places. So what I’ve been doing with all the different guests is if you just take, and again, you don’t have to go in detail, just kind of a quick summary of kind of where you grew up and then eventually kind of how you got to Vegas.

Episode Information Show Notes Career Downloads: Manuel Martinez’s Tech Journey Continues In this episode of Career Downloads, we dive back into the fascinating career of our host, Manuel Martinez, as he shares the second half of his tech journey. Get ready for an engaging ride through the ups and downs of his professional life, packed with valuable lessons and insider tips! Key Points: 1. From Server Manager to Value-Added Reseller (VAR) 2. Mastering automation and orchestration 3. The journey to VMware certifications 4. Multiple attempts to join VMware – persistence pays off! 5. Leveling up presentation skills for executive audiences 6. Transitioning to AWS and embracing cloud technologies Highlights: Manuel’s hilarious garage office setup during COVID-19 lockdowns The importance of asking qualifying questions in client meetings How to negotiate salary and prepare for interviews at big tech companies Career Lessons: Embrace continuous learning and upskilling Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks, including pay cuts for growth opportunities Develop both technical and soft skills for career advancement Network and leverage connections for new opportunities Master the art of negotiation for better compensation What’s Next: Stay tuned for future episodes where Manuel will share more insights from his tech career and bring on exciting guests to share their stories! 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts on this episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content! #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #ITJourney #CloudComputing #VMware #AWS #CareerAdvice #PodcastNotes Transcription Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Career Downloads. Unfortunately, you’re still stuck with having to learn about me and my career and kind of how I navigated. So we’re going to go on through and continue on with the second half of my career and come with some of the things I learned along the way, things I wish I would have known sooner, things I might have done differently. I do have other guests lined up, so those recordings are coming up. So again, we’ll get back to kind of refreshing and bringing on a different guest for all the new episodes. So when we kind of left off on the last one, I was working at the college as a Server Manager and decided that at that point I really didn’t want to continue to go down the management route and it might be a good idea for me to start and I started looking at other opportunities. So one of the contacts that I made there while at the college was a friend of mine by the name of Chance. So he’s come up in another episode and one of the things is during our conversation of working together at the college, we had talked about wanting to do more architecture level type of work, you know, being able to do a lot of the implementations from the get-go. So that was something that was really fun and interesting. I’ve done a lot of migrations, done a lot of configuring current environments and kind of getting them up to speed. That was fun and challenging, but I really liked going through and setting up new environments. So he had reached out to me. He had left a while back and went over to a VAR, which is a value-added reseller. So they resold equipment, you know, a lot of Cisco gear. They were big NetApp, VMware, and Cisco UCS shop. And you know, he thought that I might be a good fit. So he had gone over, was doing a lot of networking for new companies and asked if it was something that I’d be interested in, you know, based on conversation that we had had while working together. And it was something that really piqued my interest, right? They were looking for somebody here in the Las Vegas area to do more on the server infrastructure side. So I decided to go through and, you know, put in an application and see what came about of that. So that was really fun.

Episode Information Show Notes Ever wondered how a casino cage cashier ends up as an IT professional? Join us for this special episode of Career Downloads where host Manuel Martinez takes the hot seat to share his own tech career journey. From accidentally discovering his passion for IT to navigating the world of certifications and management roles, Manuel’s story is a rollercoaster of determination, continuous learning, and seizing opportunities. Show Notes: Introduction to the episode and Manuel’s background The pivot from architecture to IT during college years First job hunt struggles and the reality check of needing real-world experience Breaking into tech: From casino cage to help desk The value of mentorship and developing a growth mindset Leveling up: Moving through various IT roles and responsibilities The certification game: How certs boosted Manuel’s career Building a home lab and the importance of hands-on learning Transitioning to management and the surprises of being on the other side of interviews Public vs. private sector: Pros, cons, and why Manuel made the switch The importance of documentation in IT roles Knowing when it’s time to move on and seek new challenges Lessons learned and advice for aspiring IT professionals Key Takeaways: Real-world experience often trumps academic knowledge in the tech industry Continuous learning and certifications can open doors to new opportunities Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek mentorship Document your work – it’s beneficial for you and your team Recognize when you’ve outgrown a role and be open to new challenges Featured in this episode: Manuel Martinez – Host of Career Downloads and IT Professional: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelmartinez-it/ Resources mentioned: A+ Certification Windows 7 Certification VMware Certified Professional (VCP) MCSA Certification Get in touch: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Career Downloads on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring more inspiring tech career stories to aspiring IT professionals! #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #ITJourney #CertificationTips #CareerProgression Transcription Hi I’m Manuel Martinez and welcome to Career Downloads. For each episode, I hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background, their job history, and discover any techniques that they’ve used to be able to manage their career. This episode, unfortunately we were in the process of moving studios, so as you can see the background looks a little bit different for this one. So due to scheduling, we weren’t able to bring on a different guest. So you’re going to get to learn a little bit more about me and kind of the journey that I took along my career. So with that, I’ll go ahead and get started. So I was born and raised here in Las Vegas, Nevada. My family, my dad worked construction here for many years. So that’s kind of where I grew up and began a lot of my networking. I ended up going into UNLV with the intentions of being an architect. That was my goal. That was what I had always wanted to do since I was a kid. Once I started getting into it, I really started to learn and discover computers. Understood that it was a growing industry and pivoted from architecture over into management information systems. So in there, I took a bunch of college courses, met a good friend of mine, and we went through and finished and ended up finishing and graduating with a degree in management information systems...

Episode Information Show Notes Episode Description: In this captivating episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Jose Esparza, an IT professional who shares his inspiring journey from Mexico to the United States and his rise through the tech industry. Discover how Jose’s passion for video games led him to a successful career in IT, and learn valuable insights for your own professional growth. Show Notes: Introduction to Jose Esparza and his background Jose’s move from Mexico to Southern California at age 14 How video games sparked Jose’s interest in technology Early experiences with CCNA classes and computer electives in high school Attending DeVry University and pivoting from coding to system administration First IT job: Building servers from scratch Transitioning to Help Desk roles and developing critical thinking skills Moving up to Level 2 support and gaining technical depth Challenges and rewards of working for a managed service provider Transitioning to enterprise-level IT and managing thousands of users The importance of communication skills in IT Learning to share knowledge and help others grow Balancing work-life and valuing time in one’s career Overcoming shyness and cultural barriers in the workplace The power of positivity and helpfulness in career growth Key Takeaways: Embrace challenges and continuous learning to advance your IT career Develop strong communication skills to complement your technical expertise Share knowledge with colleagues to foster a collaborative work environment Maintain a positive attitude and helpful demeanor to open new opportunities Balance work responsibilities with personal life for long-term career satisfaction Featured Guest: Jose Esparza Connect with Jose on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esparzajose/ Resources Mentioned: CCNA certification DeVry University Call-to-Action: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget to subscribe to Career Downloads for more inspiring tech career stories and valuable insights. Join our community: Website: https://careerdownloads.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 Have a question or topic suggestion? Message us on any of the social platforms Remember to use #CareerDownloads when sharing your favorite moments from this episode! Transcription Manuel: Welcome everybody. So my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really understand a little bit more about their background, their job history, any tips and tricks that they may have picked up along the way that they’re willing to share and just understand how they navigated through their career and how they continue to do that now. So for today, I have with me Jose Esparza. So we worked together for a little while. I obviously know a little bit about his background, so we’re going to kind of touch in to that and there’s a couple topics that I really want to make sure to discuss. So with that, thanks for coming Jose. Jose: Yeah, thank you for having me. Manuel: Appreciate it. Jose: It’s been, you know, I’ve known you for a bit and with me being new to Vegas, I enjoyed getting to know you and you showed me a little bit more about the area and really the profession out here, which is tech, IT, given that you’ve been out here for quite some time. Manuel: Yeah, I mean born and raised, so I would say it’s been a little while. Jose: Yeah. Manuel: Yeah,

Episode Information Show Notes Join us as we dive into the tech career journey of Erick Dimalanta, from video game enthusiast to senior systems engineer. Discover how passion, continuous learning, and community involvement can propel your IT career to new heights. Show Notes: Erick’s gaming roots and transition to IT Breaking into enterprise IT at Wynn Las Vegas The importance of showing initiative in tech roles Specializing in VMware and creating a home lab Leveraging VMUG for problem-solving and networking Starting a tech blog and its unexpected impact Strategies for career progression in IT Navigating workplace dynamics and office politics The jump from systems engineer to senior role Following opportunities and knowing when to move on Key Takeaways: Continuous learning is crucial in the fast-paced tech industry Community involvement can accelerate career growth and problem-solving Documenting your journey benefits both you and others in the field Featured in this episode: Erick Dimalanta Resources mentioned: VMware User Group (VMUG) A+ Certification Cisco UCS Join our community on the social platforms: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who’s navigating their tech career! #TechCareers #ITJourney #CareerGrowth #VMware #NetworkingTips #ContinuousLearning #CareerDownloads #CareerAdvice #TechCareers #SystemEngineering #CareerDevelopment #TechIndustry #PersonalGrowth #SkillAcquisition Transcription Manuel: So, welcome everybody to another episode of Career Downloads. Today’s episode, I have Erick Dimalanta with us today, and he’s going to be talking and sharing some of his experiences, kind of his, the way that he’s navigated his career. So really, I hope you enjoy this episode. And if you can do me a favor and just go ahead and follow us on all the socials, do all the stuff that you need to do to make sure that you’re notified, really help us grow the channel and then interact with us on the social platforms to help us understand, you know, what type of content that you’re looking for, right, what types of roles, what type of people you want on here, so it’d be really beneficial. So with that, go ahead and plug in and download the knowledge. So thank you, Erick. Erick: Yeah. No, thank you for having me. Manuel: No, I appreciate it. And I’m really excited. So I know that we know each other. We’ve never actually worked together. We’ve met together a few times through a user group. Erick: Yep. Through the VMUG, yeah. Manuel: Through the VMUG. That’s the topic that I definitely want to get into and just kind of give your thoughts on, you know, those types of groups. Erick: Yeah. Manuel: And as we get started, again, nothing too in-depth, but if you can just kind of give me a brief summary of kind of your background, you know, kind of where you grew up and then slowly how you decided, you know, if you were always into tech or what kind of got you into, you know, exploring technology. Erick: Yeah. Yeah, no. Sure. Happy to do it. So, I mean, I’m not sure how far we want to kind of dial it back, but essentially I’ve always been that kind of video game nerd. I’ve always just, I mean, once I had a controller in my hand, me against my brother playing Street Fighter, anything like that, it was just this is, you know, growing up in that era, this is something that really resonated and stuck with me. So I proceeded to go through life. I lived in a few places. My father was in the military, so we moved around a little bit, lived in Hawaii, California,

Episode Information Show Notes In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with John Esposito, a tech enthusiast turned entrepreneur, to explore his fascinating journey from building computers for gaming as a kid to founding a innovative loyalty rewards app. John shares invaluable insights on career pivots, the art of pitching to investors, and the importance of resilience in the face of rejection. Meet John Esposito: Las Vegas native, tech enthusiast, and co-founder of Loyal Unlimited John’s early start in tech: Building his first computer at 12 and dominating video games. The unexpected path: From journalism major to IT recruiting in Chicago. Mastering the art of translating tech-speak for non-technical clients. The birth of Loyal Unlimited: A game-changing loyalty rewards app. Securing startup funding: Leveraging networks and learning from rejections Key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and job seekers: The power of networking and building relationships Embracing failure as a learning opportunity The importance of clear communication in tech How to handle tough questions during pitches and interviews Quotes: “Learn from those noes, that’s all I can say. There’s a reason why people are saying no. There’s a reason why someone is going to say yes. Go through all the noes and then implement the yeses and then you’ll eventually win.” – John Esposito “Technology is another language in itself, right? So trying to translate that is definitely a skill.” – John Esposito “Just because someone has money doesn’t mean they’re going to like your idea or just throw money at you, right? You have to find someone that’s going to, I guess, like the idea that you have and continue to go with it and be your mentor and try to make sure that the money that they’re giving you is actually going to get a return on their end in the long run.” – John Esposito Resources Mentioned: Loyal Unlimited app Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/espo702/ Espo Consulting (espoconsulting.com) Call-to-Action: Don’t forget to subscribe to Career Downloads for more inspiring stories and practical advice on advancing your tech career. If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a friend who’s looking to level up their IT skills! Connect with Us: Join our community on the social platforms: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads X/Twitter https://twitter.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 #careerdownloads #careeradvice #techstartups #entrepreneurship #jobhunting #techcareers #loyalty #recruiting #techcareers #networkengineering #continuouslearning #careerdevelopment #techindustry #personalgrowth #skillacquisition Transcription Manuel: Welcome everybody, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is Career Downloads where I basically hit the refresh button every episode, bring on a different guest to really learn about their background, their career, tips and tricks that they’ve probably learned along the way through their journey and really get a chance to learn from them how they’ve managed their career and hopefully you pick up some useful, actionable advice as part of the conversation. So for today’s episode I have with me John Esposito. So welcome John. John: Hey everybody. Thanks for having me. Manuel: Hey, pleasure to have you. So we’ve been talking earlier and you’re kind of curious like why I would want to go through and interview you and once I started looking at your resume, right, I knew a little bit of kind of what you had done, asked you before and once I saw your resume I was like, oh my gosh, there’s so much that I was curious about, so many items that I was like,

Episode Information Show Notes Description: In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Allen Tyson, a seasoned network engineering professional, to discuss his fascinating journey into the tech world. Discover how Allen transitioned from aspiring teacher to tech expert, and learn valuable insights on skill development, career pivots, and the importance of continuous learning in the fast-paced tech industry. Key Topics: Allen’s unexpected entry into the tech world through a data center job The power of curiosity and self-directed learning in career growth Strategies for skill acquisition and knowledge retention in tech Transitioning from technical roles to management and back again The importance of humility and asking questions to accelerate learning Tools and techniques for personal knowledge management Balancing technical skills with people management in director roles Finding passion and fulfillment in your tech career Quotes: “If you’re not humble to be able to want to improve, if you think you know everything, then when it comes to getting feedback, you don’t want it and you’re certainly not going to go get it.” – Allen Tyson “Your stress should be the people you work with… If when the drama of the people goes away and you’ve got that work, whatever that work is, and you look at it and you’re like ‘I don’t want to do this,’ then there’s a problem.” – Allen Tyson Resources Mentioned: GNS3 and EVE-NG (network simulation tools) Anki and SuperMemo (spaced repetition software) Roam Research, Logseq, and other Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tools “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” (book) “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” (book) Connect with Allen Tyson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-tyson-9067b45/ Call-to-Action: Love the show? Subscribe, rate, and review Career Downloads on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s looking to level up their tech career! Tags: #CareerDownloads #TechCareers #NetworkEngineering #ContinuousLearning #CareerDevelopment #TechIndustry #PersonalGrowth #SkillAcquisition Transcription Manuel: Hi everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each week and each episode I come and I hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn a little bit more about their career, their journey, tips and tricks that they’ve learned along the way. And today I’m very excited, I have a good friend of mine is Allen Tyson and with that welcome Allen. Allen: How you doing? Hey good to see you man thanks for having me. I know you talked about it and you know it’s off the ground you got an awesome space here so thank you. I’m looking forward to it. Manuel: Yeah it’s it took a little bit of work but it’s definitely I think it’s something that will be really beneficial to you know people in our industry and just looking to get into it. Maybe who are curious or if they’re looking to either get into tech which again we’ve talked before tech is very broad. Allen: Yeah definitely. Manuel: So having different perspectives from different people that do not only have different backgrounds but also are in different roles. Even if you and me had gone through the same the same path right hey we went to the same places where our experiences are going to be very different right. So I’m very excited and even if people who are already in the industry maybe they pick up some tips for their current role or if they’re looking to make a role a role change into something different. Allen: Yeah and I think that’s one of the things that we kind of talked about too is you know when we were first getting into tech and just kind of figuring some things out there really wasn’t a platform like this right. I mean there really wasn’t you know a way that you could kind of say okay well let me see what somebody else who’s suc...